First Wacken... help appreciated

I plan on going to the Wacken 08 and hopefully visiting Scandinavia and other European countries. I'm from the United States, never been to Wacken or even Europe, I don't speak German... I don't even have any euros. :]
Any tips would be appreciated.
Like when should I have my tickets ordered before they sell out?

 

1st.
Read the sticky on top of the Talk board. it answers a lot of questions
2nd.
get your tickets asap

 

English will do. Most Europeans speak English, though sometimes with a horrible accent.

IF you're travelling more than only Germany, I'd recommand Euro-Rail. Info at your travel agent! (as Euro-Rail is NOT for sale in Europe!) Furthermore, the European version is only for Europeans, so you won't be able to buy them here as well. (You need ID to prove your location)

And a passport is required to enter Europe! A simple ID won't do it. (if any questions about that, contact the German Embassy in the US for example)

Euros can be obtained at any bank either in the US or in Europe. But know that one € is about US$1.50 now! That might change, so it's up to you to do your exchange. (but you cannot pay in US$ here)

And for more info, go to your local travel agent.

 

NOW, is the best time to order tickets, look for airfare, and start memorizing the most basic phrases in each country you plan to go to.

It is a good idea to get a travel consultant ($40+), if you don't know what you're doing. If you live near a University, check to see if they have a student travel agency. They're normally open to all, and likely to be more helpful than a normal travel agency, that will try to sell you stuff you don't need.

Look for tips on forums like eurotrip.com, travelpunk.com, lonely planet etc......there are lots.

 

Zwei Bier bitte!

 

Hey,

Start by reading here:

http://forum.wacken.com/showthread.php?t=122556

http://forum.wacken.com/showthread.php?t=132914

 

Well, thanks everyone... I've read and found out a lot about what I wanted to know, plus some I didn't... which leads me to ask

If I don't drink, will I be shot? ;]

 

First of all, heavy New Year! (at the time I wrote this, we're in 2008!)

And to answer your question: yes!

 

Well, I'm sure there are others that don't drink either, but I'm guessing most do drink.

I've had days at Wacken I haven't had anything to drink, but I wouldn't do a whole festival

There will be loads of drunk people around though, so I hope you don't have any problems with other people drinking

 

Youll be an alcoholic after wacken
Hehe nah people wouldnt care really

 

Does jetlag cause any problems? I've only flown across two or three time zones and I don't remember it causing any problems... but across an ocean is another thing...??

 

Also, about how long does it take to get from the airport to Wacken?

 

From the Hamburg one?
Depends on the train.I think it was about a hour when I went & they have shuttle buses from the train station to the fest.

 

I went to the US once and the first day I was rather tired. Wanted to go to sleep at 5pm (EST) but everyone told me not to do so.

A day later all went well.

To know that there is a 6 hours difference between the US (EST) and Europe (CET). In other words, it's 6 hours later here.

 

The train ride Hamburg (Altona) - Itzehoe takes about 45 minutes.
With the train/U/S-Bahn ride with it, I guess more than an hour.

But see the sticky!