There is no wrong way “to fest” at SXSW, but there are definitely better ways to plan and schedule your experience for maximum impact.

Decide what your interests are. Four kinds of badges are available: Film, Music and Interactive, all of which are available at the same price, and all of which can get you into most events… in theory. But when it comes to going to specific events, they are prioritized. Film badges get you primary access into film events, Music into music, etc. The more expensive Platinum badge gives you priority (but still not guaranteed entry) into all the others, and accordingly cost a few hundred dollars more. On the other hand, when you’re spending money to attend in the first place, the difference in price is probably worth the time and disappointment… unless all you wanna do is one track.

Plan ahead. Passes are cheaper the farther you are from the next event, so you can get a Platinum badge now for about 30 percent less than you’ll pay a month out in 2019. Look at the schedule a few weeks out so you can try to hatch a game plan (as much as possible) for your must-dos, wannados and options — movies you wanna check out, speakers you wanna hear, bands you wanna catch. You’ll also want to arrange for accommodations early to secure the best rates and availability. Don’t be afraid to get a hotel away from the action for a better price and commute; consider Air BnB, or cultivate friendships with Austinites now for a crashpad.

What to carry. Bring a backpack. High-end cameras aren’t allowed inside many venues if you’re not media, so leave that Canon at home and use your smartphone for selfies. SX is a marathon, not a sprint, so stay hydrated with a bottle of water (you can refill it), and maybe some Mio to add flavor. A protein bar or two would be good as well. (There are tons of foods trucks at the convention center all week, and the main events take place just south of Sixth Street, a destination for clubs, bars and restaurants, so you can always grab a bite somewhere.) And definitely bring a power cord and portable charger, cuz you’ll use your phone … a lot.

Getting around. The closer you are to the action, the more you’ll pay to park. High-end hotels proudly alter their day rates for parking, happily gouging attendees. Next to the Austin Convention Center, $30 isn’t uncommon for a slot in an open lot. But just south of Lady Bird Lake, at the Long Center, parking is just $8, and a mile from that, at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas — where a plurality of the film screenings take place — there’s ample free parking. A complimentary shuttle transports you to and fro, though the number of buses in rotation drops by half after about 6 p.m., so the waits can be long. And it takes place in a busy city that doesn’t totally shut down for SX, so be forewarned about rush hour traffic and the normal hassles of any city. (In off hours, you can do a half-loop in about 20 minutes.) Lyft was a partner this year, so ride-sharing is common as well. But during the peak activities, you’ll do a lot of walking.

Download the app. SXSW offers an online app that is extremely useful in predicting sell-out crowds, “favoriting” events and tracking shuttles. You can also network with other attendees.

— Arnold Wayne Jones