Budgeting for Tomorrowland 2025: A Practical Guide

Tomorrowland 2025 – a large annual electronic dance music festival – set to unfold over two weekends: 18th–20th and 25th–27th July, in the town of Boom, just to the south of Antwerp in Belgium.

Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the festival introduces a new theme, ‘Orbyz’, transforming the De Schorre open area into a mystical icy realm inhabited by mythical creatures. Organisers expect approximately 400,000 ‘People of Tomorrow’ to attend the festival, with many participants travelling from around the world. The majority of attendees are usually in their 20s and 30s, but older fans of electronic music will definitely be in evidence too.

This year’s lineup boasts over 600 artists across 16 stages, including global icons like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Swedish House Mafia, and Charlotte de Witte. With attendees from more than 200 countries, it’s a truly international experience.

Useful Information for Tomorrowland 2025

City Shuttles: Tomorrowland provides shuttle services from major cities, including Brussels, operating on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. These shuttles drop you close to the main entrance and return after the festival ends. Shuttle bus tickets start at €26 one-way per person.

Public Transport: Belgium’s efficient train network connects Boom to cities like Antwerp and Brussels. However, services may be limited late at night, so plan accordingly. The cost of train tickets will vary depending on timings, with an average single fare being about €11.70 (subject to exchange rates, about £10).

Global Journey Packages: Tomorrowland’s Global Journey Packages include festival tickets, accommodation, and transport options like flights, trains, or buses. The festival website has comprehensive details of these and other arrangements.

Within Tomorrowland, DreamVille is the official camping area, offering various options:

Alternatively, nearby cities like Antwerp and Brussels offer plenty of accommodation from Airbnb to hotels. Early booking is essential due to high demand.

Within Tomorrowland 2025

Tomorrowland operates a cashless payment system using ‘Pearls’, the festival’s official currency. Your festival bracelet doubles as your wallet, which you can top up online or at designated stations. Unused Pearls can be refunded after the festival, excluding any bonus Pearls received during promotions.

Exchange Rate from Euros to Pearls:
– €20 = 11 Pearls (approx. €1.82 per Pearl)
– €40 = 22 Pearls
– €60 = 33 Pearls

Food and beverages at Tomorrowland cater to many tastes, but as indictive prices, consider these likely costs:
– Small Beer (500ml): 2 Pearls (~€3.64)
– Large Beer (750ml): 3.75 Pearls (~€6.82)
– Water: 2 Pearls (~€3.64)
– Cocktails: 7–8 Pearls (€12.74–€14.56)
– Fries: 3.5 Pearls (~€6.37)
– Burger: 6.5 Pearls (~€11.83)
– Beef Stew with Rice: 8.75 Pearls (~€15.92)

Budgeting around €60–€100 per day for food and drinks is advisable, depending on personal consumption.

Outside the Festival

Tipping in Belgium is appreciated but not obligatory. In restaurants, leaving a 5–10% tip for good service is customary. In taxis, it’s usual to round up to the nearest Euro, and in bars tipping is not expected but will be welcome. Tips are generally paid in cash, even if the bill was paid by card.

Despite Tomorrowland’s cashless system, therefore, it makes sense to carry cash as well as cards. In particular, cash is useful for tipping, off-site purchases, transport, and emergencies. Plus, you’ll be ready for an extra few days in Belgium if you’ve got time to explore.

Go prepared

It’s frustrating to reach your destination, realise you need some local currency, and then have to spend time finding somewhere to change money or seek out the least exchange-rate-punitive ATM.

For UK travellers, there is an easier option: buy it before you go. And to do that, a new service from Money4Travel offers a convenient solution for currency exchange, with long term benefits for regular customers.

While there are plenty of competitors, Money4Travel has a unique offering. As well as easy online purchasing, there is local collection (same or next day for popular currencies), a loyalty scheme, and a buy-back guarantee. However, the extra value lies in the fact that it will always find the retailers with the best exchange rate within a ten minute drive of your postcode. The combination of these benefits makes it hard to beat.

Additionally, by securing Euros before departure, you can avoid unfavourable exchange rates while abroad and ensure you’re prepared for any cash-only situations from the moment you arrive.

Enjoy total immersion in Tomorrowland 2025 – carry cash as well as cards

Attending Tomorrowland 2025 promises an unforgettable experience filled with music, dance, culture, and camaraderie. By knowing what to expect, planning ahead, and preparing both digital and cash payment options, you can fully immerse yourself in the festival, free from financial surprises.

 

By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travelthe online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.

For reference: for within the festival, Tomorrowland 2025, for indicative prices outside the festival, Numbeo.

By Declan Morton

Declan Morton Writer and editor at Essiell Ltd and Money4Travel. Declan’s experience and expertise Declan has a love of travel and how to get from A to B in the most efficient and stress-free manner possible. He’s fascinated by finding the best ways to prepare for a journey, regardless of whether it is long planned-for or a last-minute decision. A significant part of his career was spent working in the long-haul travel sector, first for Hayes and Jarvis Travel Ltd, and then for First Choice – now part of Tui. He’s travelled extensively worldwide and still enjoys doing so. Declan is a freelance writer, working with a small group of companies with interesting and useful services to offer. A bit more background Between long-haul travel and turning to writing, Declan was a primary school teacher and deputy headteacher in north-west Surrey. He has a law degree from King’s College, London. Apart from travel and writing, his interests include mountaineering, canoeing and sailing – all of which he endeavours to include in his holidays, occasionally in the same trip. Someday, he’ll write about those too. Why Essiell Ltd and Money4Travel? “I’m constantly impressed by the services these companies provide. Money4Travel is the perfect example of an innovative service which benefits consumers by delivering great value, consistently. That’s based on ease of use and reliable back-office functions – which also enable it to remain extremely competitive. Its parent company, Essiell Ltd, has considerable experience and a strong track record globally in financial services for travel.”