Boom Guide

GETTING TO BOOM

​​​​​​​Zoom To Boom. It’s Not Just About the Destination - But the Journey Too!

Your Festival Adventure Starts Now!

The journey to the festival is just the beginning of your epic experience. Whether you’re rolling in with friends, hopping on the Boom Bus, or embarking on a solo adventure, excitement is in the air, and adventure is the name of the game.

Ready to roll? Our comprehensive guide will help you get here safely and smoothly - because the real fun begins when you arrive.

Packed your bags, pots, pans, and tents? Perfect. The road to unforgettable memories is waiting. Let’s get this adventure started!

GETTING TO BOOM

Where is "There"? Welcome to Boomland!

Boomland is right here, nestled along the shores of a magical lake, just a stone's throw from the historic towns of Idanha-a-Nova, Monsanto and Idanha-a-Velha. Located in the heart of inland Portugal, this is where your festival journey unfolds - a sacred land.

For reference, Boomland is approximately 260 km from Lisboa (Portugal) and 360 km from Madrid, in Spain - practically a teleport away!

To ensure you're heading in the right direction, simply set your map or GPS to "Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal."

From there, follow the signs, and you’ll be on the path to an unforgettable festival experience.

  • What could be better than jumping onto a bus full of bouncy Boomers all on the same vibe? You just know you’re in for a good time when you join this funky crowd… Safe, sustainable, comfy and convenient: hop on board our humble charter bus at either Lisbon, Porto or Madrid airports and get a ride to the festival and back.
     
  • Go HERE to know more about Boom Bus from Lisbon, Porto and Madrid.
     
  • Eco Fact: The Boom Bus has transported thousands of happy Boomers to the festival over the years. In 2023, a total of 157 Boom buses transported 20% of all Boomers. 

 

FROM LISBOA AIRPORT
 

  • BUS

From the airport take the metro to Sete Rios bus station and from there take a bus to Castelo Branco (52 km away from Boomland). From Castelo Branco, you can take a bus to Idanha-a-Nova (operating on weekdays only). Once you’ve arrived at Idanha-a-Nova, you can either take a cab to Boomland or take the shuttle bus to the festival (see "Shuttle Bus").

  • TRAIN

Take the metro to Gare do Oriente station, from there you can get the train to Castelo Branco.

Please refer to the bus station website (www.rede-expressos.pt) and train station website (www.cp.pt) for departure times, costs and further information.
 

FROM MADRID AIRPORT
 

  • BUS

From Madrid, you have a bus service that connects you to Lisbon. The Madrid Bus station (ESTACIÓN SUR) is at Av. Mendez Álvaro and you find it at the Mendez Álvaro Metro station.

In Lisbon, from Sete Rios bus station take a bus to Castelo Branco. Please refer to the bus station website (www.rede-expressos.pt) for departure times, costs and further information.

From Castelo Branco, you can take a bus to Idanha-a-Nova (operating on weekdays only). Once you’ve arrived at Idanha-a-Nova, you can either take a cab to Boomland or take the shuttle bus to the festival (see "Shuttle Bus").

  • TRAIN

Make your way to Chamartin train station (Madrid) and take a train to Lisbon.

Step out of the train at Entroncamento and get the connection train to Castelo Branco.

Please refer to the Madrid train station and the Entroncamento station timetable (www.cp.pt) for departure times, costs and further information.
 

FROM PORTO AIRPORT
 

  • TRAVEL BY METRO - BUS - CAB

Take the metro until Trindade station.

At Trindade metro station, take the line in direction of Campanhã stop – Metro do Porto.

Go to Campanhã Bus Terminal, and take a Bus to Castelo Branco (52 km away from Boomland). From Castelo Branco take the Bus to Idanha-a-NovaKnow more.

Once at Idanha-a-Nova, you can either take a cab to Boomland or take the shuttle bus to the festival (see "Shuttle Bus").
 

  • TRAVEL BY SHUTTLE - BUS - CAB

From the airport take the shuttle “GetBus” (Mon. ~ Fri.) until Porto – Campanhã bus station.

From Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã Bus station, take a bus until Castelo Branco (52 km away from Boomland). From Castelo Branco take the bus to Idanha-a-Nova. Know more.

Once at Idanha-a-Nova, you can either take a cab to Boomland or take the shuttle bus to the festival (see "Shuttle Bus").
 

  • TRAVEL BY METRO - TRAIN

Take the Metro until Trindade station. At Trindade metro station, take the line A, or B; or C, or F in the direction of Estádio do Dragão, or Campanhã, or Fânzeres and exit at Campanhã station – Metro do Porto. At Campanhã, get a train ticket until Castelo Branco (numbers of trains to catch and routes may differ). Know more.


Make sure to plan your journey in advance – visit the relevant public transportation websites available here beforehand.
 

 

 

  • If you are traveling from Brussels or France, you can also opt for a more economical and environmentally friendly trip. Click here to know more.

During the festival days, there will be shuttle buses running between Castelo Branco at the bus station and Boomland as well as Idanha-a-Nova and Boomland. 

Castelo-Branco to Idanha-a-Nova:
17 to 18 July: 10:00; 12:00; 14:00, 16:00; 18:00; 20:00.
19 to 22: 10:00; 14:00; 18:00. 

Idanha-a-Nova to Boom Festival:
17 to 18 July: 10:40; 12:40; 14:40; 16:40; 18:40; 20:40. 
19 to 22 July: 10:40; 14:40; 18:40. 

Boom Festival to Idanha-a-Nova:
18 July:11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00. 
19 to 22 July: 11:00; 15:00; 19:00. 
23 July: 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00. 

Idanha-a-Nova to Castelo-Branco:
18 July: 09:30; 11:30; 13:30; 15:30; 17:30; 19:30. 
19 to 22 July: 11:30; 15:30; 19:30. 
23 July: 09:30; 11:30; 13:30; 15:30; 17:30; 19:30. 

Boom Festival to Castelo-Branco:
24 July: 09:00; 11:00; 13:00; 15:00; 17:00; 19:00.
25 July: 09:00; 13:00.

* Whenever the vehicle reaches maximum capacity, it begins its journey.

Prices:
Castelo-Branco to Boom Festival: € 12,50
Castelo-Branco to Idanha-a-Nova: € 4,70
Idanha-a-Nova to Boom Festival: € 7,80

* Payment is made on site, in cash. Pick-up at the bus station in Castelo Branco. 

If you plan to va-va-voom to Boom with mates, then don’t forget to do your very own impersonation of Bohemian Rhapsody when you stop for a break. But try not to freak out the locals, as they deserve all the respect and good smiles.

So here’s how you get there:

FROM LISBON

  • Take the A1 motorway, heading North.
  • Exit at the A23, towards Torres Novas.
  • Continue in the direction of Castelo Branco along the A23 and exit at Lardosa/Idanha-a-Nova.
  • Follow the signs to Idanha-a-Nova, where you will reach a roundabout with signs to the ‘Pre-park’ and to ‘Boom Festival.’

FROM PORTO

  • Take the A1 motorway towards Lisbon, until you reach signs for the A25, towards Viseu.
  • Drive along the A25, take the exit to A23 in the direction to Covilhã and Castelo Branco.
  • Exit at Lardosa/Idanha-a-Nova.
  • Follow the signs to Idanha. Here you will reach a roundabout with signs to Boom Festival.

FROM MADRID

  • Take the A5 Motorway in the direction of Plasencia and Portugal.
  • Get the A1 towards Plasencia and follow the signs for the Ex-108 to Coria/Portugal.
  • Continue following the signs to Portugal.
  • As you enter the country, you will see signs to the town of Idanha-a-Nova.
  • When you get to the town, you will reach a roundabout with signs to Boom Festival.
  • The experience you share could be something out of a movie. You could even write a book about it. In fact, there’s just no describing the joy of sharing the same excitement with a bunch of total strangers when catching that ride to Boom!
     
  • Thousands have enjoyed taking a ride to Boom in the past.  It’s one of the simplest, most effective ways of connecting people heading to the festival. Sound good? 
     
  • Use the widget below to look for a ride or to share one with other fellow Boomers. Just a couple of heads-up:
    (1) The Boomland address in the widget is only there to help calculate CO₂ emissions. If you’re looking for how to get to the festival by car, check out the “By Car/Caravan” section on this page. 
    (2) The carpooling widget is available from 1 May to 31 July. It's there so Boomers can freely offer or request rides — even though the festival itself takes place from 17 to 24 July.

 

1 - Join the Community
We invite all passionate cyclists planning to travel to Boom Festival by bicycle to apply for the "Boom by Bike" program. To express your interest and receive detailed information about early access, please send an email to boombybike@boomfestival.org.

In your application email, kindly include the following information:

  • A brief resume outlining your cycling experience and any notable long-distance rides you have undertaken.
  • Details about your intended starting point for your journey to Boom Festival.
  • An estimate of the total kilometres you anticipate cycling to reach the festival grounds.
  • Upon review of your application, we will provide you with further details regarding the early access procedure and any additional benefits for Boom cyclists. We eagerly await your applications and look forward to welcoming you as part of the "Boom by Bike" community!

Keep an eye or publish your trip in our Facebook group and Whatsapp — there's often a group of riders forming from different parts of Europe heading to Boom.
You can also reach out to us closer to your departure — we might be able to connect you with other Lisbon-based riders or those passing through Portugal.


2 - Preparation and Route Planning
Bike check: Make sure your bike is in top shape. A service before departure (especially brakes, gears, tires, and drivetrain) is essential.
Travel light but smart: Pack only what’s necessary (multi-tool, spare tubes, rain gear, sunscreen, snacks, etc.).
Comfort is key: Use padded shorts, a proper bike fit, and gloves to avoid fatigue and discomfort.
Use Komoot: It's an amazing app for bike touring. You can plot a scenic and safe route from anywhere to Boomland, with options to avoid busy roads and highlight bike-friendly paths. It even suggests camping spots and accommodation. If you wish to join our profile to get support in Komoot:
Try splitting your ride into 80–120 km stages depending on your pace.
Save the route offline in case of low signal areas.

On the Road
Pace yourself: Listen to your body and take breaks. Hydration and nutrition make a huge difference over long days.

Safety: Use lights, reflective gear, and always let someone know your daily plan.

Accommodation: Mix camping with the occasional warm shower or hostel stop — apps like Warmshowers are great for connecting with the cycling community.

3 - Boomland Access Opening Gates 
The roads leading to Boom are generally bike-friendly, though the final kilometers can be a bit dusty or uneven—wider tires are recommended for extra comfort. While the roads to Boom Festival are generally suitable for biking, be aware that the last few kilometers might be dusty or uneven, so wider tires are advisable for a more comfortable ride. Consider arriving a day before the festival to settle in before it fully begins. Early arrivals can find overnight accommodation and access to a warm shower at Nossa Senhora do Loreto.

We’re also organising a special moment called Velotron. We’ll gather at 05:00 on the 16 July at the Rotunda de Alcafozes, where the Boom Festival team and local authorities will join us to guide all Boom cyclists through the final stretch. 

Bicycles will be the very first vehicles to enter the Boom Festival main gates. Be part of this symbolic and magical entrance into Boomland!

Cycling to Boom Festival is generally feasible, though the last few kilometers might be dusty or have uneven terrain, making wider tires a good choice for a smoother ride. Consider arriving a day early to settle in before the festival's energy fully kicks in. Early arrivers can find overnight accommodation and a warm shower at Nossa Senhora do Loreto.
Join our special Velotron event! We'll meet at the Rotunda de Alcofôzes at 05:00 on 16 July. The Boom Festival team and local authorities will escort all cycling attendees through the final part of the journey.