Held each August in a field just outside the East Belgian city of Hasselt, Pukkelpop is one of Europe’s leading alternative music festivals. Pukkelpop 2025 runs from 14th to 17th of the month and promises a typically bold line-up. Acts include Queens of the Stone Age, Amaarae, Chappell Roan, Papa Roach, Justice, Suki Waterhouse, and Royel Otis. Other notable artists include Aurora, and electronic artists like Amelie Lens, and Jamie xx
Like many festivals, there’s a delicate balance between enjoying what you’ve budgeted and regretting some unplanned spends. And for UK visitors, understanding how much to budget – and when to carry Euros in cash – can make the trip easier and more enjoyable.
Pukkelpop is a different kind of festival
Unlike some for larger and seemingly slickly organized events such as Tomorrowland, Pukkelpop prides itself on a more intimate, laid-back atmosphere. It draws around 66,000 people per day. Many are serious music fans interested in indie, electronic and rock acts rather than chart-topping pop alone.
The majority of attendees are 18 to 35, coming not just from Belgium but also the Netherlands, Germany, France, and the UK.
Payments on site at Pukkelpop and beyond
Pukkelpop itself is a mostly cashless festival. Drinks and food are paid for via a wristband or token system. You can load these using a card or cash at top-up stations.
In Hasselt and Belgium more broadly, cards are widely accepted and in fact Belgium is among Europe’s most card-friendly countries. However, cash still has its place. Smaller cafés, some market stalls, and independent shops may not accept cards or might impose a minimum spend.
Thus, while you can easily rely on your debit or credit card for most expenses, carrying some euros in cash is practical, especially for smaller transactions, quick snacks, or tips.
Transport costs and options
Most festival-goers arrive by train to Hasselt, followed by a free shuttle bus service to the festival site. For additional local travel, you should expect typical costs in line with €2.50 (around £2.20) for a local bus and, for taxis, there is a base fare of €5.00 (~£4.30), plus €2.4 per km (~£2.00). A 6 km city centre journey costs about €20.00 (~£17.00).
If you plan to explore Hasselt or surrounding towns, public transport is reliable and relatively affordable. For late-night returns, taxis remain the best option, though they can be in short supply during festival dates and you may pay more late at night.
Typical food and drink prices
Belgium has a strong food and drink culture. For pricing you can expect the following as guidelines in and around Hasselt, but be prepared for some prices to reflect a festival ‘premium.’
- Street food: e.g. fries €3.00-€5.00 (~£2.60-£4.30, waffles €1.00-€7.00 (~£0.90-£6.00), sausage & onion baguette €4.50 (~£3.90)
- Burger: €10–13 (~£8–11)
- 500ml local beer: €4.50 (~£3.90)
- 300ml imported beer: €4.00 (~£3.45)
- Cappuccino: €2.50 (~£3.00)
- Soft drink: €3.00 (~£2.60)
While service charges are often included in restaurant bills, tipping around 5–10% is appreciated. In cafés and taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro is common courtesy.
Why still carry cash?
Belgium is modern and highly digital, yet cash does offer advantages. For festival-goers, it can help manage discretionary spends – especially after a few beers. Smaller bars or food trucks in town may also prefer cash, and it’s often faster when trying to avoid card machine queues.
Having a reserve of cash also protects against technical issues. Card terminals can fail, mobile banking apps can glitch, and roaming charges may interfere with online transactions.
Preparing your Euros in advance
Instead of waiting until arrival to sort out your euros, you can use services such as Money4Travel. They allow you to order currency online at competitive exchange rates and collect it locally in the UK. In fact, this is a locally focused service, finding the best exchange rates from local currency exchangers within a 10 minute drive of your postcode. And in addition to the best value, you avoid high airport or train station margins and can also benefit from a buy-back guarantee if you return with leftover Euros.
Money4Travel’s loyalty scheme, Pips, provides extra value for frequent travellers. Whether you’re a festival regular or heading abroad for the first time this year, these features help simplify your journey now and in the future.
Enjoying Hasselt and beyond
Many see Pukkelpop purely as a weekend event, and that is part of its appeal. However, Hasselt offers more for those willing to explore. The city is known for its fashion boutiques, museums, and its strong café culture. Sampling Belgian beers and chocolates, or visiting local markets, can round out the trip nicely. Plus, with an extra couple of day before or after the festival you can explore the neighbouring city of Liège, or pop over the Dutch border to Maastricht.
As with any festival, preparation makes all the difference. Understanding local costs and the benefits of carrying cash ensures you can focus on the music and atmosphere – without unexpected surprises. Why not give Money4 Travel a try?
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travel – the online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.
For reference: Pukkelpop 2025 / PKP2025, Numbeo/Hasselt.
