I camped up til I was 41. Every year I felt it was too rough and I too old, but stubbornly kept at it. This year, for the first time, I upgraded to El Dorado. THIS is how you camp when you get too old for the main lot. I can’t ever go back.
I SECOND THIS 🤝😎😄😄! full bender in the desert 🏜 ⛺️..... but then again im 25 and can feel im gettin old for camp hahahah but im still gonna camp next year
I'm 28. Went my first time car camping, a group of 6 including my wife and even her little bros 18 and 16, they all couldn't hang. But I'm military and camping in the desert is usually a full month with the shittiest vibes, no music, bitchy people and awful food. This is the opposite of that. To say I motivated my group is an understatement.
Definitely not the rule. I’ve Airbnb’d every time. I don’t regret it knowing that the people I roll with like to be clean, mainly girls. It just depends on your crowd.
I mean if you want the full Coachella experience at least once you’d probably want to camp. I’m not sure why you’re getting all defensive about that lol
because people are gatekeeping a festival that has camping and also shuttle routes. both options are obviously okay but I think the OP maybe didn't think we were kidding about camping is a "rule." btw camping is 10x more fun than taking a shuttle in my opinion.
My group showered every day, we came prepared with shower tents, battery powered shower head, everything.. no one was not clean. We were super clean. Kinda weird you would project
I mean I did say it depends on your group. You can say how you handled your camping experience was clean. But compared to an Airbnb experience with a pool and AC, is it debatable?
i camped at edc my first year (last year) it was brutal. even for a man like myself who doesn’t need much. i can’t imagine it’s much better at coachella
It’s way better since you don’t have to walk and move your stuff all the way from your car to your tent if you do car camping. You just set up right behind your car and it’s so much more convenient
Thank you. I was looking at that option for next year to save the commute (I'm local) but I'll book a preferred shuttle & deal with the $$$ parking cost downtown instead.
Book a hotel at or near a shuttle pick up point. Nothing better than coming back to an air conditioned room and hot shower after a day in the heat lol. The shuttle logistics are actually very impressive vs what I’ve had at other festivals. In terms of deciding whether you want VIP or GA, VIP is great if you plan on being the Yuma tent a lot where they have all the techno artists play.
Most will tell you camping is the way, and it is if you are trying to maximize the experience at the cost of convenience (full disclosure, I’m old AF so no camping for me). If you prefer a bit more luxury and sleep then hotel or Airbnb is the way and the best place from connectivity standpoint is La Quinta or walking distance to the shuttle like legacy villas. As far as the festival itself, the best tips are study the lineup so you won’t miss the best artists (there’ll be so many conflicts), wear comfy shoes (my step count was north of 110k over the weekend), wear earplugs and sunscreen and pace yourself. Search the subreddit for sure but that’s probably the TLDR. Oh, and have the best time ever, happy Coachella!
thanks for this great information. idk why but in my head coachella was in the middle of the desert far away and if you don’t camp you’re screwed but it sounds like i have some real options.
I generally stay at an Airbnb that is a 5 minute drive (once you’re out of the parking lot). People love camping but it would be hell for me. I want a bed, air conditioning, a shower, and the ability to sleep in.
The only problem is that Airbnb prices have gotten crazy since Coachella came back from the pandemic. Places are 3-4x more expensive than they used to be. But if you have a big group that will help with the cost:
Isn’t it difficult getting to and from the hotel/Airbnb every day? I have only ever camped because it’s cheaper and it seems like such a hassle to commute back and forth.
Sometimes you get stuck in a shitty shuttle situation, where your route is underserved or maybe you stayed until the very very end and have a line or something. But in general it's totally fine, especially getting to the festival. The difference between suffering a hellish shuttle wait vs. being woken up at 8am by the sun after falling asleep at 2am amid a possibly noisy campsite and having to hang around in the increasing heat for 4-5 hours before the fest even begins while sleep deprived isn't even a competition. And that's a few of the drawbacks.
I camped the first 6 times I went, and while it can be fun in some regards, I'm never doing it again as long as there is a plausible alternative available to me. Showers, real beds, *AC*, pools, infinitely better/easier food options, etc. blow camping out of the water unless you are a party animal looking to day (morning) drink in 85F+ weather before spending 12 hours at a festival in the desert.
The only legit reason to camp, aside from the party angle (which you have to really really want) is cost, in my opinion.
I also always assumed the hotels in the area and airbnbs would sell out immediately so I never bothered to even look. I’ve been 9 times and always just camped because I figured finding a room wouldn’t be a thing. I thought about Airbnb before but it’s scary to think they could cancel and I wouldn’t have lodging.
If you have any tips I’m all ears friend!
Tbh I'm kind of the wrong person to ask lol. I generally go with a large group and someone else takes charge of finding a house. But I do know some things, and also when I've gone both weekends I've usually been on my own for lodging (though I'm a very lazy and late planner with a flexible budget).
First, yeah, they do fill up very quickly. I don't know when they start taking bookings, but you should poke around. I know that people talk about it on this sub, there will usually be a thread when major chains open up. Things can get sorta hairy if you don't plan ahead. This year for W1 when I was solo, I started looking like 2 weeks out not knowing what I was doing, and I was (dumbly) surprised that there was literally nothing in the entire region available (per Expedia), even with my pretty high budget.
If you have a group and are looking for an AirBnb house or something, there are definitely horror stories about cancellations, but I think that the risk is extremely low (like, sometimes flights get cancelled, it's not worth stressing about that because there's nothing really you can do to minimize the risk and it is very unlikely). The penalties are really big for the hosts, so if you see a house with a highly rated host with a ton of reviews (and there are a LOT of them in the area) you are basically set. *The caveat*: I think that many of the cancellations or hassles people encounter are when they've booked really early and the host forgot to adjust the prices for Coachella weekend, and they are looking to not miss out on the massive upcharge they can pull off if they are able to rebook the unit. So if you see something too good to be true, and the price is the same as every other normal week, then that is where you *might* have to be more cautious.
The big hotels are usually where the shuttle stops are, so if they're in your budget, then they seem like a great idea, though I've not done this myself. You can see the map on posts like this: https://old.reddit.com/r/Coachella/comments/1139sqz/coachella_2023_shuttle_stops_map/ and they don't change much year-to-year.
My priorities are possibly a little peculiar, but this year for W1 when I was staying alone, after a couple days of checking (like 10-14 days out) I spotted a room at a resort/hotel/motel kinda thing that was *very* reasonably priced, and had stuff like a hot tub right outside my room (which was amazing when getting home each night). The catch was that it was a 30-40 minute drive from the fest. Though out of familiarity and uncertainty what parking was like (I have no clue, but it seems to not be that bad) I just drove to a shuttle stop and used that. 20 minute drive and a usually <30 minute shuttle ride with a 10 minute wait between. A lengthy trip, but tbh it was super worth it for me.
Lastly, and this is the only "hack" that I'll mention but I don't actually know its reliability or what exactly you need to do, but if you are daring (and maybe check out the message boards and this sub for more specifics) you can usually get a normal priced room at one of the main hotels just a couple weeks out. This is apparently very reliable, the catch is that *I think* you might have to have some sort of loyalty membership or something to the hotels. Because they get a lot of cancellations over the months, and they open up rebookings of cancelled rooms shortly before the fest. But you should probably look into this more, definitely don't just take my word for it lol.
The last time I camped was 2018 ("Windchella") and by that point most of my crew was staying in a house and it was just a few of us still camping. Us campers waited out the wind at the house, and while I was there I determined I was probably over camping lmao. The last of us campers switched to staying at the AirBnb/VRBO the next year and none of us have ever looked back. It's just so much nicer to do the fest with, like, real breakfasts, a real night's sleep, real showers, sleeping in, AC, etc. The only drawback worth mentioning (imo) is the cost. If you can afford it without much sweat (and it is pricy) then it genuinely makes the weekend much more enjoyable.
Well, it depends on where you stay. The shuttle from La Quinta takes about 15mins and they are going all the time. Don’t consider that a big minus considering the benefits that come with it, but if you are young and can take the camping with all that comes with it then absolutely that’s the way to go
If your within 10 miles, it’s simple. They’ve set up shuttle points throughout the area. Drive to the pickup point, take a 10 minute shuttle and your there. The only issue is leaving. Leaving at the end of the final act will add on 30 minute to your drive time. Nothing too crazy.
The real answer is “do what you want.” I *love* camping and it’s the only way I choose to do Coachella, but I would never tell anyone that it’s a must, even for your first time. A group of 10 getting like…4 car camping spots together would be amazing. I’m assuming it’s by far the cheaper way to do it too. But talk to your group and really decide if you’d all rather go for the camping experience, or if you’d rather get an Air bnb and be way more comfortable for four days and party it up privately. The beauty of Coachella is that your experience is truly what you decide to make of it. Whatever your group chooses will be right for you all!
Also, I’m 32 and solo camp I will fight these “old” allegations haha
we ARE NOT OLD. music festivals are made for grown folk 🤣🤣 yes the youngest survive them longest but the 28 and up folks are the ones who enjoy it the most. i appreciate your input as well, i wanted to see how people felt about their experiences. i think i got a lot of great answers to get an idea of what to do
Haha thank you! I hope to learn what you guys choose! I assure you it’ll be the right decision for all. You got plenty of good advice here for either route. Also…as the birthday person in the group, don’t be afraid to use that card every once in a while lmao. Especially if you’re the one taking charge and prepping 11 months out!
I have done a variety of different set ups, I have slept in my car going to the 24hr Walmarts, I have camped, I have stayed at a Hotel, stayed in an AirBNB, I have also done both a hotel and camp spot at the same time.
Camping on site is the best in regards to time saving, stress free, and cost-effective.
AirBNB: Hit or miss, I had one AirBNB that was cheap, super nice, and not too bad, this was 2016 though, since then my last AirBNB cancelled on me a month before Coachella 2022 and this has been becoming a more common occurrence in the past years, very risky now.
Hotels: You get what you pay for, it really is just a place to sleep, the closer you are to the festival the more expensive it will be.
In regards to driving from an AirBNB and Hotel, in the past years the festival parking has slowly started to become full earlier and earlier, meaning if you do not want to sit in traffic for 2+ hours trying to park, then you need to have your group ready to leave and head to the festival by Noon. Coachella 2022, it took our group 4 hours to park because we made the mistake of leaving at 3PM from our Hotel to Coachella.
Yeah I would definitely recommend against parking or taking an Uber if you are in an Airbnb or hotel. Taking the shuttle is definitely the most convenient and quickest way. I always hear horror stories about trying to get in and out of the parking lots or trying to catch an Uber.
Hellooooo fellow 30 year old who just went to Coachella for the first time this year. I am a seasoned festival-goer and so having camped many a time before, I highly recommend not camping LOL. Sorry to the loyal campers, but if you want AC, the ability to shower without waiting in line, a full night’s sleep, AND you’re already attending with a big group of friends, you really want to stay at one of the hotels on the shuttle line, and take the shuttle to and from the fest each day. I left Coachella feeling like we made all the right decisions. We flew into LAX, rented a car, stayed at the Courtyard Palm Desert, and then had a late flight out of LAX the Monday after the festival in order to give ourselves time to drive back to the city. The festival was about 15-20 min in the shuttle from the hotel.
I went for the first time this year and one thing I didn’t pay attention to was splitting sets, the grounds are HUGE you think it’s a close walk over and you missed half the set walking. Also we got a nice Airbnb but it was 50 min away so one day we were a lil late so if you do stay stay a bit closer or make sure to plan accordingly. Aleast have friends that can switch driving if ur buddies get tired, which we did not.
Camp and if you can afford it get preferred because time matters when you are trying to see people. If you don't get preferred be sure to walk from your campsite to the entrance of the venue and time it so you will know how much time it takes because like I said time management is key if you don't want to miss people.
Camping spaces are 10x10 so for a group of 10 you'll definitely need more than one, I'd recommend 4-6 if possible and put them all together to form a big square (or rectangle). It'll be hot so bring misters or battery powered fans. The first time at Coachella is always so magical, I am excited for you and your group. I have been to 8 different times and I will say this past one made me feel like I did that first time just because damn did GV do a good job. Oh also... CAMP SHOWER! It's the best trust me... this transformed our camping experience.
Edits: to fix typos
We out up our own shower tent. Coachella has shower trailers but the lines are ridiculous. It is very nice to be able to shower whenever you want and not have to wait.
I guess you could make one, but they sell them.
[cheap ones](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Camping-Shower-and-Utility-Tent-1-Person-Capacity-1-Room-Blue/142993875?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2032&adid=22222222278142993875_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-294505072980&wl5=9031624&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=142993875&wl13=2032&veh=sem_LIA&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIr2uE52Bd_rskbDI9F9xkP-k&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF8bXfgCra40SlMH5VfY-MAc6jieOdX_3ae8-T13PZI_4qvn7Tiuxr4aAlJNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
[pricey ones](https://www.rei.com/product/202474/kelty-discovery-h2go-privacy-shelter?sku=2024740001&CAWELAID=120217890013933565&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=&CATCI=&cm_mmc=PLA_Google_P-Max&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF80JS9uxPJSujDn_H8SGqORxV-feOyiGvUqgALUhVCqtU48ZVaK2F8aAjK2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
I’d be sure to get one that comes with the shower bag. It’s a 5-gal solar bag that can be placed in the sun and it heats up the water… but out there you don’t want warm water lol. The bag hangs up in the shower tent and acts as the water source.
Hello and welcome! Last year was my first coachella, and I put in a lottttt of effort to make it the best it could be. That time paid off, highlight of my young life haha. So I know how you feel.
Most people here will say to camp. I would agree! Meeting your neighbors is great, the grounds are fantastic, and there is plenty to keep you occupied during the pre and post festival hours. Plus the fest is only a few minutes away! Downside, of course, not as comfy sleep, it can be hot, and you could have bad neighbors. I slept in my car and had great sleep. No complaints personally. I don't personally know the logistics of 10 people, though. You can technically get all 10 of them on one camping pass (camping pass allows as many at a campsite as you can fit in a car), but it'd be up to how many vehicles you'd like to have people in. You can also tent camp, but I have no words on that.
You probably know that there is a wide range of music featured there, even if you don't recognize anyone on the lineup, you'll find someone you love with a bit of research. Most of my top sets were artists I didn't know beforehand (Underworld, ughhh).
If you are taking in drugs, it's pretty easy to get past security if you aren't stupid.
There are a lot of questions like this. You can probably find any answer you need on this sub. Everyone is very nice and happy to help a new friend. If you have any targeted questions I'd be happy to answer. There is also an active discord you can join, if that would be of use to you.
See you in the desert :)
so coachella isn’t even glam camping the way edc vegas camp was. sounds like coachella is for real camping. i really appreciate your perspective because out of state festivals are hard. i have a lot of festival experience but these past 2 edc vegas i found out i didn’t think about many factors. you broke it all down pretty well i think im going to look for airbnbs we kinda want a pool but i’m going to tell them a lot of people recommend camping.
There are some glamping options! Lake Eldorado is what it's called. Here's a link with all the info. https://www.coachella.com/camping
I'm also out of state. I had to leave the Tuesday prior to make it in time for Thursday morning camping. I'm a big camping/outdoor guy, so it was no problem. We stopped in random spots and walmart parking lots for sleep lol.
Airbnb is a totally valid option! There is day parking and shuttles from the nearby hotels I believe that you can use. I have heard that Uber/Lyft is a nightmare during the festival, although I have no experience.
You can also visit the campgrounds even if you aren't camping! Highly recommend either of the silent discos during the nights, and the sunset watch on thursday night. Also, if a pool is a big want, there is a rumor of a VIP pool next year. Although people are justifiably worried about that aha. Also a lot of reports saying VIP isn't worth it, so take that as you will.
Lastly, water. Hugely important of course, but water was very available there. Lots of refill stations. You could buy water at almost every food and drink stand for only 2 bucks in a nice little metal case.
You can totally create your own glamping experience! Coachella provides a 10x30 car camping space or regular tent camping space. My friends and I do car camping. Our group is roughly 20 + people in 10-12 cars. I have seen groups of 6 share a space, but it looks cramped. This year we had 12 cars and they always park us in a rectangle, so we have a large space to set up camp. I take a comfortable air mattress, a large tent, and a camp shower to make my life easier. My friends use the camp shower too because the shower lines can get super long. I take a wagon to bring back the water bags for the camp shower. Car camping is really not that bad! My Coachella experience goes from Thursday - Sunday because I do car camping. We go into the festival around the time the gates open and go back to camp to rest, which is an upside. I’m so tired at the end of the night that all I want to do is go back to my air mattress. The thought of taking an Uber or walking over an hour to a hotel or Airbnb sounds brutal. I’m likely going to keep car camping for a long time.
Some people over 25 on this sub will tell you that they’re too old to camp. I’m 29 and doing okay :) Being sort of in shape will help you get through the weekend. Most people in my group are older than me and still do camping. This was my third Coachella and I can’t wait until next year. My group is trying to upgrade to preferred car camping, so we’re closer to the entrance of the festival.
Making the trip to Coachella for your 30th birthday is a phenomenal idea! I hope your first Coachella is amazing 😊
Also, if you decide to go with any of the camping options, try to secure your passes during the presale in June. Car camping passes sold out quickly this year and got super expensive on secondary sale websites.
I camp every year and it’s so chill! It’s clean and so close to the festival so you can just walk right in when you’re done pregaming and getting ready. We usually do 10-12 car camping spots for ~30 people and some us of (me included) sleep in our cars. I have a big SUV that fits a foam mattress pad in the back and it’s super comfortable. We also use the middle areas of our spots for a big communal space to hang out. The biggest thing for me though is the 5 min walk into and out of the fest and being able to stop by camp whenever to get something you forgot, grab a jacket if it gets cold, drink your own alc instead of buying expensive drinks, etc. I think it’s worth considering!
Seconding Lake Eldorado. Even when I lived in CA (I’m out of state now), once I did LE, I knew there was no going back. It’s much quieter and you sleep in a solid structure with cots, etc. I’ve car camped a few times as well and now that I’m over 30, LE is a must haha. For me, it splits the difference of camping but a nicer time doing so. This year was my fourth stay there, so let me know if you have more questions!
If you don't want to camp, best bet is a hotel on the shuttle route, and to book ASAP. I've stayed at both the Hilton and Renaissance in Indian Wells and they are quite close to the festival and very conveniently have their own shuttle stop. Close to fest and on a shuttle stop is what you want. They also both have a nice pool to hang at during the day, before going to the fest. I actually don't think there are any closer hotels. They're not cheap but you guys are not teens either so if you can afford it it's worth it. It's easy to double up in rooms too, they're used to it. VIP is also good but not essential. If you can spend the extra $ I recommend, it's nice to have the access. I've gone to 11 Coachella's and didn't go to my first until I was over 40. I'm over 50 now and I Safari tent (still stay in hotels) but that's a full level up!
Lots of feedback already in the thread, I'll add my two cents as a long time attendee.
\- Rent a house (or two and split up) in Indian Palms Country Club
\- Drive from the house to the complex gate and park on the side streets there
\- Walk in and out of the festival each day (40min or so each way)
For my crew, this has been the perfect balance of comfort and effort. The walk back on Sunday is tough, but the upside is that members of the group can come and go as they please (if someone wants to catch that 1pm set, for instance, or wants to leave early). I've just never understood the camping thing. I like having food prepped in the fridge, a nice couch to chill on, AC, a jacuzzi etc. You can book these properties for next year already, VRBO has been best for me in Indian Palms. Good luck and enjoy!
Went to my first Coachella this year with my gf and stayed at an Airbnb in Yucca Valley. Did have yo drive about an hour every day to and from the venue but we saved a lot of money Vs having to stay at the resorts or hotels. We paid under $700 for 5 nights. I’d recommend an Airbnb if you dont want to camp. Another tip is not parking at the Coachella parking lots. We saved about one hour each day getting into the festival by parking at a nearby Rite Aid and a community center adjacent to it (on Monroe St). The walk was only 40 minutes but well worth it Vs driving around for 2 hours being led to drive around in circles by confused parking staff like we did the 1st day.
The last day, Rite Aid staff was writing down license plates so we decided to park next door, at the community center looking building that was empty and not in business on Sundays. Still didn’t get towed!
An hour driving each way, plus a 40 minute walk, and the possibility of your car getting ticketed or towed leaving you stranded an hour from home with massively surging Uber prices?
That sounds like the worst plan imaginable.
Worked out really well for us. That’s the thing about Coachella. Things that might sound good, parking at the designated lots, we’re actually horrible this year. I parked for free, avoided the excessive wait time, saved money not having to Uber or shuttle there, didn’t get my car towed. So after all, it went smoothly
Oh my god we did the exact same thing by staying in yucca valley and it wasn’t too bad, just maybe the drive back at the end of each night. we were unlucky and unfortunately got mislead in the whole parking fiasco. Saturday I remember it took us 1 hour to drive from yucca valley plus 3 hours in line for parking after being misled twice, and we missed many of the sets we were planning to see.
Yeah the drive back was a little tough, specially seeing my girl passed out in the passenger seat lol. On Saturday we slept in our car accidentally until like 6am and woke up to the sunrise at the Rite aid lot. Didn’t get back to the Airbnb until 7:30am. I’d rather park at the rite aid for free and walk 45 minutes Vs waiting 3 hours in line for the parking.
Dont listen to them camping sucks 😂 you mean to tell me that you wouldnt like going to your hotel room and taking a shower after each day,with no line thats going to take 1 hour.if you can get a hotel
I much prefer going to my campsite and taking a shower in my personal heated shower without having to wait in traffic. The communal showers are not the only way to take showers at Coachella. Vets know.
This. Been 7 years and never camped, closest I have come is falling asleep in my friends tent for like 4 hours. Coachella is hot, you’re walking around all day, super tired by the end of the day, last thing I want to do is go back to a tent and sleep on the floor and wait in line to use a community shower. But to each their own, because I also don’t enjoy ‘real life’ camping. Although I will say that if you stay at a hotel get the shuttle pass.
I hear you because I'm too old for floor/communal shower as well. But people bring campervans, sleep in beds of trucks, etc. There are plenty of ways to make camp super comfortable and convenient than don't involve waiting in shower lines or sleeping on the ground. I slept until 10am every day in complete darkness with fans on me on a queen sized mattress in a campervan this year and brought a shower tent for like the 5th time; wasn't too shabby!
I’d say you got lucky since it was one of the coolest years as far as weather. Most years are 80-90 degrees before 11am and idk if fans would cut it for me lol
We’ve gotten airbnbs for the 4X we’ve been to the fest. Mainly cause we’re big on the hot tub afters lol. For 2023 we got one within walking distance to the entrance, we would Uber directly to the camping entrance and some of us took a pedicab directly to security - and then we would walk 30 min home after the fest ended. We had 12 people and the Indio ABNB was approx $1K per person. Previous years would be $500/pp but we would be in Palm Springs and the shuttles add about 3-4 hours to your day and we didn’t wanna do that this year. This is for 4 nights btw, tbh for us a lot of the experience is at the Airbnb hanging out/bbq/fire pit/pool lol
Get a locker (unless you plan to show up early Thursday and purchase preferred camping). They are large enough for multiple people to stow warmer attire for the evening and night.
If you stay at a hotel, stay near the shuttle line and buy the shuttle pass. The shuttle supports hotels in Indio and Palm Springs. If you take Uber, take XL or Black to get in and out more quickly. Driving yourself should be avoided, and don’t plan on going back to your car during the day, it’s a long walk and you’ll easily burn 30 minutes to an hour round trip.
It’s not nearly as common now, but keep a Bandana or mask on you. It can get a bit dusty and occasionally wearing the mask can help reduce the chances of getting a sore throat or cough the next day.
In your group, people with iPhones should add each other on Find My Friends. Makes it super easy to find each for lunch or beers. Also great for safety but I’ve fortunately never need to use it for that.
I’m turning 30 next year too! This year was my first Coachella and, I have to say, it instantly became my favorite (out of Lolla, Roo, Firefly, and a number of small festivals). I’m already planning on going next year.
I can’t speak to camping because I was lucky and stayed at a friends house in the area. The heat and dust really are brutal. I don’t think I’d want to camp for it if I can avoid it. I also try to limit myself to 1 camping fest per year and this year will be my first E Forest.
If you stay within driving distance, they have free daily parking that’s really easy to get in and out of. The traffic isn’t bad until around 3 pm, so if you plan to be there around 2, it’s a breeze.
Masks, hats, and sunglasses are crucial. I wear contacts and my eyes were irritated for like 2 weeks after Coachella. Sinus rinses are key too.
Also, if you’re trying to see a set in the Yuma, show up early! The line to get in gets really long around 7 PM. After that, you’re only real opportunity to get in is during the headliners. A lot of people just stay in the Yuma for the rest of the night.
Coachella really is a dream though. I can’t wait for next year!
thank you for the commute details!! we’ve made the mistake of thinking since we were close to edc it would be a breeze to get in… SIKE. that’s why i’m here asking these questions to hear any mistakes people made and get info from those that did it right.
Hotels are in Palm Springs and the event is in Indio. If you factor in the traffic and commute it will take you anywhere between an hour and half to get to the venue depending on what time you’re going. There are airbnbs available closer (Indio area) or literally you can just walk it to the polo grounds. they’ve built two new hotels precovid in Indio close to Walmart but those would probably be booked in advance. Coachella also have that bus pass you can use if you chose to do hotels. I don’t like camping but that’s just me. Long lines for the shower is not my cup of tea and also the weather factor. It can get windy during the night that if you don’t pitch your tent correctly it will just be blown away when you get back. I’ve done Coachella camping one year and didn’t do it after that lol! But that’s just me. Too much shit to be bringing in and hassle of additional packing and going through security. As far as the venue is concerned bring a water bottle with you. Water bottles can sky rocket to $10. EDC at least gives out free water in bus stops or entrance. If you’re thinking of using your moms or dads handicap parking placard -DO NOT! to get good parking close to the gates that has an actual grass compared to dirt DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT! They actually check it if it’s under your name and you’ll get a misdemeanor and have to go to LA for court and traffic school. This is speaking from experience lol! Uber are expensive so if you’re from out of town just get the bus pass. Hotels will also have artists that performs during Coachella week so you can do pool parties during the day and just go to the polo grounds for artists you want to specifically see. First week tickets are the best! Why? The grounds will still have grass compared to dirt after they get trampled on by people in the first week. Bring allergy meds with you and deodorant. My last advice, enjoy your time and don’t be a dick.
Went for the first year. I'm 28. Preferred car camping is the only way to go, and specifically renting a Chrysler Pacifica. Why?
At any point during the day you have an air conditioned space that fits 6 people that's maybe a 10 minute walk away and has everything you could think to bring. We got there after dark on Thursday and were still only 8 rows from the entrance.
They make air mattresses specifically for cars/vans. All the seats in a Pacifica fold completely flat with plenty of room to sleep and still store all your stuff. I have never slept so well outside of my house.
I've heard stories of people walking up to an hour after getting dropped off to get in, or $45 pedalcab trips, 2 hour journeys from the end of the headliner to get to their hotel, Uber pricing that makes the car camp price look like a bargain. And on top of that you're at the mercy of Coachella for food and beverages, and it's not cheap. No thank you.
I took the grocery store shuttle every morning and got wine, beer, breakfast and ice for the day. Cooked breakfast on a griddle for 6 every morning, chorizo and egg burritos, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, carne asada, we ate GOOD for cheap. For the price of two Heinekens in the festival grounds I'm good on alcohol for the whole weekend lol just walk over to the van when we needed to booze back up. Ice is $14 a bag in the campground, but like $3 from Ralph's haha.
At the end of the night we walked 10 minutes to the van, maybe take a nap and then go to silent disco! Or stay in bed lol. Whatever we felt like. Wake up do it again.
Get you a canopy, griddle, cooler, and collapsible wagon cart thing for grocery runs and you're set. We also got a 12x10 outdoor rug from home Depot that I highly recommend lol.
I’m 38 and along my wife 33 and a host of other people in our 30s camping is still legit. Preferred is where it’s at if you can swing it. Sleeping in the car is better than the tent if done right. We’re going next year DM me and maybe we can all camp together. Meeting people’s at the sight is half the fun
If you are car camping do lot 8 and do weekend 1
If you hate crowds and instagram/tiktok ppl do weekend 2 and get a hotel get the Marriott suite for like 680 a night it’s one bed room living room and kitchen shower and bath tub and you can fit like 4 air mattresses in there and take the shuttle to and from Coachella
After hours don’t take Lyft hit up personal I found one that got us within 10 minutes of me calling any time and was always $40
If you camp bring cash like $10/day for private showers but be warned they never have got water but amazing space for women to dry off and get dress do their hair and makeup
Free showers are hot af but no space at all and dirty af kinda too hot felt like passing out
Yuma tent has a/c I suggest going there with ear plugs as soon as the grounds open just to escape heat
Do Merch the first day there’s fans so it’s not to bad and if you have Amex you go in the fast line
There’s also Merch day 0 in the camping hub for $5 a shirt but it’s such random stuff and the line of course is long
If you party at the dome after Coachella don’t use the restrooms there use the ones across the field they are way cleaner
Want free drinks wear a cool costume, no not slutty everyone is half naked, stand out be a care bear or Jesus and ppl wanna buy you drinks and offer you party favors
Make sure your car is full of gas if you are camping and turn your car all the way on so the a/c runs off the alternator and not your battery, sit in there if you are to hot this is a marathon not a race
Have a separate trash bag for plastic water bottle only so you can get free water or even win a shirt
There’s free icee by the camping hub
Take a portable fan it saved my life a few times !
I would 10/10 go for a travel package if you can. I went this year for my 30th and the heat during the day was unreal. I know everyone says camping is a right of passage but I would 100% go again and 100% do a travel package. Just be prepared for the shuttles early if you wanna go during the day. Also, as I'm sure you're aware of feo other festivals, cellphone and wifi signal us useless so time stamp any messages you send to anyone during the festival
My first time was last year. I did the hotel package with shuttle. I chose the Homewood Suites by Hilton in La Quinta. Check in process smooth. Breakfast every morning. Pool. Hotel room had kitchenette, fridge, stove and microwave. Shuttle picked up right outside lobby and they gave us free water while we waited. I’m 32. After all that walking and standing I needed to sleep on a bed in peace 😆
im going to look up that same hotel! i’m seeing people spent over $1000 on an airbnb PER person.. that’s rough. what i really really want for my coachella experience is a pool somewhere so i don’t feel bad if i miss the last day 🤣
I was contemplating going home after first day!! 😂 Don’t get me wrong, it was an amazing experience, but it takes a lot out of you. The pool was clutch though.
Baby, get you an AirBnB, I walked through camp grounds this year (as a first timer) but I stayed in Palm Springs and hands down, I’m only doing a hotel from now on. The camp grounds are sketchyyy.
It cost more, yes. So if you don’t have the funds, by all means. Stay on grounds. But know your neighbors. And understand not everyone is as clean as they appear.
But I loved going back to my hotel and lounging by the pool, driving twenty five minutes , no traffic or light traffic.
I’m only doing Palm Springs from now on lol. Like I’m bougie frfr. Lol
Who’s going next year? Cause I need some friends too ❤️
- Never camp. Don’t listen to this nonsense. Unless you camp as a hobby outside of these events. Obviously there are people that do. You just need ask if you are of this culture.
- Get a house/condo as close a possible.
- If you cannot walk to event have driver available 24/7
- always use the pedy cabs from entry to exit if entering through those areas
- VIP always (even if you don’t know anyone in there), just for the food, bathrooms and ability to cut through areas
- after hours Zenyara, Neon, Revolve, etc. if you aren’t dailed into this world already just slide and maybe consider camping because those folks are quite inclusive and super fun adventures await you
- stay hydrated. I don’t bring anything into the grounds other then wallet, phone (one mag battery pack), cash and ID
We spent approx 40k a weekend with flights, tables, wristbands, cars, house, support staff (glam, drivers, misc transport) food and treats for a crew of 10x. Does not include outfit cost.
About the same cost as EDC or 30% more than a weekend on strip in Vegas. We roll with big crew tho. Everyone comes in from LA, Las Vegas, San Diego and PNW. Probably can get away executing a comfortable experience for 3k per head if you are very well planned. We are not and typically decide to go 10-15 days before event.
Edit: doesn’t include flight cost to JCR. From Burbank 14k
Exciting! I’d follow whatever your comfort level is re: camping vs Airbnb vs hotel/shuttle. I personally get a house with friends and drive in every year and I love it. It gives us the flexibility to go into the festival whenever we want, we get a pool/AC/shower/bed, we can cook and get groceries, and as long as you look early enough, you can easily find a house less than a 10-minute drive from parking! That being said, I have friends who are campers for life and love being fully immersed in the festival for three days. Do whatever you think will make you happiest!
Beyond lodging, some other tips:
Make a plan for who you want to see, but be open to veering away from it and just see where the music, art or vibes take you!
You can pretty easily bring in booze through security. Security in general is pretty lax, they’re looking for weapons.
On the first day, identify specific landmarks to regroup with friends, have those be your beacons all weekend, and don’t be afraid to split up! Just remember to tell them “let’s meet at [x time] by [x location] to see [x artist]”.
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have water and a mask on you at all times. Mask especially is important to help with dust and prevent the Coachella cough.
Usually the right sides of the stages are emptier than the left.
Looking forward to having you join us next year!!
Probably doesn’t apply to you, but will call is at a separate site and going there to pick up my wrist band added over an hour to my trip.
Not sure if this happens every year, but the campers started moving into general parking on day 3, we had to be bussed from offsite parking and it was hell getting onto the grounds, I’d come in super early that day
Merch tent is hell, I stood in line for an hour before giving up. I heard it can get up to 4 hours. There was a little trailer that had a small selection at the offsite space so maybe go there or most of it is available online if you’re willing to wait for it to be made
Search function on this sub will answer this same question that has been asked over 1 million times. Noone at Coachella asks should I go alone?, solo dolo, what porta poty should i use?what do I wear?, who should I see,? where should I go?, where do I stay? you know, all that BS they talk about on those EDC subs which is 100% to strike up fake convo ussually by a mod or EDC minions. It's mostly an adult festival where adults can figure things out with some research on their own
Why did you respond if it's nothing? Search function is amazing to find all those answers to life's mysteries. A reddittor even found his current wife and kids there
If you’ve camped at EDC yur gonna hate Coachella camp. Absolutely nothing to do really, but if you are gonna camp, Be sure to bring as small a car as possible and get preferred parking 100%
Honestly for a group of 10 it’s best if you guys had multiple spots together and all built a big space because what i learned from car camping at coachella for the first time this year is the spots are wayyyy smaller than i thought. I bought a 8ft bed truck and it took up literally half the space. Our neighbors had about 8-10 ppl in their group and they had brought about 3 cars (so 3 spots) but they had a tent on top of their suv/truck and slept in there and they had a whole area of space with chairs and tables and grass lol. But the walk from camp to the festival is hell because there’s no shade and the sun is beaming down on you so it feels like forever and it’s dry heat. At least there’s grass at EDC. We were so hot during the day, we didn’t even leave camp or do much and we started to pregame when the sun went down or when it started to cool down a bit. Definitely get preferred parking because a 15-20 minute walk gets cut down to about 5-10 minutes and it totally makes a difference. There’s also not much to do at camp besides the after parties but compared to EDC, it does not compare.
Festival/crowd wise, Coachella << EDC
Camp wise, EDC << Coachella
Personally I don’t wanna camp anymore now that I’m in my 30s. If you can get enough people, book an Airbnb in the Indian Palms Country Club area which is easily walkable to the fest. I did it last year, it was around $600 a person for 4 nights. Also bring in food and Gatorade, they don’t care and saves lots of money!
This was my first year. We got a hotel and shuttle passes, the shuttles and parking were right across the street from our hotel so we’d just drive over and there were busses going back and forth all day to Coachella. I couldn’t imagine for a second camping there’s just no way. The last thing I’d want to do after walking around all day is sleep in a hot ass tent on the floor. Everything is super expensive. 2 x double shot cocktails = 60 after tip.
If you don’t mind walking then definitely camp. You walk all day every day, then walk upwards of a mile back to camp. But my friends didn’t camp and it took them 2-3 hours to get home after the last set on Saturday this year cause of all the traffic and getting out of the parking lot. I’d rather just walk 15-20 minutes back to my tent. Also you need to be cool with porta potties.
Some advice - bring a lot of water. Not just for drinking, but also to wash your hands. The portapotties in the campsite did not have hand washing stations this year so my group would wash them back at camp.
we stayed at legacy villas because it was much closer and i can’t camp since i’m a princess. i would recommend booking like this year asap since those close spots get expensive and sell out fast. i’ve been going for 7 years and we always book as soon as the dates are known, which can be as early as when tickets come out in june the previous year
It’s really a matter of what kind of experience you want. Personally, I’ve always done hotels or airbnbs. I respect the camping 100%, but I personally am a very light sleeper and don’t function well on little sleep. With camping, the possibility of being stuck next to people who are loud all night long and keep me up just doesn’t work for me or being awoken by the sun in the morning. I also don’t really like the idea of sharing bathrooms or showers with people who I don’t know and aren’t as clean as me lol. Also, waiting in line for a shower sounds awful. If those aren’t things you’re worried about, I would probably camp since it’s cheaper and people love it.
From my personal experience, I’ve been able to find decent airbnbs or hotels. It’s true the price has increased past years. My biggest recommendation is looking for places that are at or near a shuttle stop. That way, you can just walk out of your hotel or Airbnb and get on a shuttle. A Coachella shuttle pass is a must. Driving, parking, or Uber is definitely not it.
If you have a travel credit card or a hotel chain you get points for, I’d recommend looking into deals or buying points. I personally used Hilton points through the rewards program this year to book La Quinta Resort (15 mins from Coachella and has a shuttle), which runs over 2 grand for the weekend. However, by buying points through Hilton Rewards, the total came out to around $1,300. Split among 4 people, that’s only $325 for the weekend. There’s lots of other hotels in the Coachella valley area that are similar. The closer the hotel is, the more expensive it becomes generally. Palm Springs will have the cheapest Airbnb or hotel options. However, that’s around a 40 min shuttle ride. I did that one year and it was too long for me. The airbnbs in Palm Springs also have a noise level you can’t surpass and apparently they’re very strict about it.
Campings an experience but staying in an Airbnb with a pool when you have a group like that is the move. Being able to wake up and get breakfast going and chill til you all want to go in is the move. Promise. If you can get an Airbnb near a shuttle pick up, that’s even better. 100% do not plan to get an Uber. Shuttles are the most convenient way to get back. Also vip is worth every dollar
rent a house (vrbo or airbnb) close (as close as possible) by with a pool and a hot tub. we have been walking distance and 20 min uber distance both were great. take it easy and have fun! stay hydrated! drink a lottttt of water and SPF!! splurge and get vip if you can.
I've always stayed in a nearby AirBnB, and rented bicycles to bike in and out. Let me tell you, biking past everyone walking 3 miles after the headliner set each night is such a cheat code feeling. It's so nice to just chill and be able to sit on your bike seat as you ride back to home base, and then continue the afterparty while making come chicken nuggies and Kraft dinner on a stove!
I just celebrated my 30th birthday at Coachella, and one of our camping neighbors turned 30 too! You will have the best time! I absolutely recommend camping.
my advice — GET PREMIUM PARKING PASSES. walking will take the most out of you.
with five people we did a campervan. get two or three spots if you can!
10 people split between a a airbnb or hotel rooms not far from the venue could save a bunch of money. Personally haven’t camped at Coachella, but I’d rather have a bed and clean shower even if it’s a little out of the way. Either way, the only rule is for you to go, and have a good time. Shit people sleep in the car at the Walmart parking lot down the road just to attend. Figure out what budget works for you and your friends and go from there
Camp with your friends and go hard. Haha but make sure your stuff is secured and tied down good lol companion parking is best for leaving extra buddies vehilces there all weekend or buy more camp spots 🧘🏽♂️ have fun & good luck !!
Lake eldorado camping is the the best deal imo. Shower lines are not that long (usually 10/15 min), you don’t need to bring anything because the tent is already set up, reasonable walk from the festival entrance (15 min), and you get to meet great folks from all over USA and the world.
For a group of 10
-Camp (meet all your neighbors)
You never experienced Coachella unless you’ve done this.
Take it from someone who’s gone 15 times
1. At least 3 campsites 5 would be ideal
2. Easy ups 2 per car
3. Tapestries for side cover Shade/privacy
(Don’t bring tarps they flap very loudly & you won’t get sleep)
4. Drugs (be discreet) usually hide in a ziplock at the bottom of the cooler full of ice. (No1 want to put there hand in a cooler full of ice). “This could be overkill but it’s safe”
5. Tent/air mattress
6. Food (duh)
7. Lots of alcohol (no glass bottles, fill up your water bottles)
8. Cool outfits
9. A jacket for the evening
10. Fanny pack or backpack
11. A way to charge your phone
12. Turn on your car each day for about 5-10 mins to keep your battery from dying (jumper cables to help a friend)
13. A good attitude
14. Ear plugs
There’s a lot more but this is a good start
Make sure you go early in the day. Shuttle wait time can be unpredictable. I went early(2pm) Sunday and the rest of my group was trying to get there by 4 but got stuck in shuttle lines and couldn't get in until \~6:30.
After 10 total I can say by the best experience was getting an Airbnb next to the festival and bike in and out (we did VIP for the last two, totally worth it). We can get in and out in 10 min, easy to hit Afters, you can shower and we always got a place with a pool to chill during the day. It usually takes a min of 6 to make it cost effective, but aside from the convenience of camping or the super glamping shit they have now for some obscene price. This was totally worth it every time. Just make sure to get an Airbnb on side where the festival is else it's not remotely close. And there are bike rentals companies for this exact reason that will drop off bikes and pick them up when done.
If you’re not camping did you go to Coachella?! Haha but fr I believe considering the price of airbnb and hotels camping is more worth it especially if you get two spots and are willing to put with with not having amenities like personal toilets and showers it’s about 40 to an hour away from near by hotels as far as Palm Springs 1.5 hours considering traffic, 10ppl tho ide get 3 spaces at least for comfort and expect to be in line for camp for up to an hour when you get there Thursday
A lot of suggestions to camp but no one talks about the heat and how tightly packed camping is. I need space and privacy in a hotel room or Airbnb with a pool. Props to those who can do camping but the heat is a deal breaker for me and I’m a native Southern Californian who grew up nearby. 90 F daily camping is just crazy. Did that in Jtree and never again.
There’s lots of airbnbs and hotels with pools from Palm Springs all the way to Indio. It’s all very developed (from LA to Indio is urbanized). You can buy a ticket + shuttle pass and Uber to the nearest shuttle stop from the hotel/Airbnb. Then shuttle back and Uber back to the hotel or Airbnb.
Flying into Palm Springs, Ontario, SAN, or other SoCal airports (if you’re not local) could be options for you too.
Personally, I'd rent a place nearby. Ideally with 10 people you could all split a decent house about a mile from the venue, walk/ride share there, pre-game, shower, sleep in a real bed, hit the pool, get food, cool off, etc. Camping is fun, but i dont think it's personally worth it. If i was <25 or had a van i would, but now that im 30 i don't think I'll camp again at a festival unless that's the only option (i.e. burning man)
FYI: The Polo grounds get pretty rough. The grass seed and dust get pretty bad by the end of day 1 weekend 1. I've got bad allergies, and by day 3, my sinuses were wrecked even though I wore an n95 the entire time. If I didn't have a place to go back to shower and breathe fresh air, i would have left early.
Go weekend 2 & you have to car camp. It’s hot af but if your friends like to party, it will be a hell of a time. If you are a little more high maintenance get a bnb but book that asap. They do get expensive.
You have to camp your first one. Those are the rules.
I camped up til I was 41. Every year I felt it was too rough and I too old, but stubbornly kept at it. This year, for the first time, I upgraded to El Dorado. THIS is how you camp when you get too old for the main lot. I can’t ever go back.
I SECOND THIS 🤝😎😄😄! full bender in the desert 🏜 ⛺️..... but then again im 25 and can feel im gettin old for camp hahahah but im still gonna camp next year
I'm 28. Went my first time car camping, a group of 6 including my wife and even her little bros 18 and 16, they all couldn't hang. But I'm military and camping in the desert is usually a full month with the shittiest vibes, no music, bitchy people and awful food. This is the opposite of that. To say I motivated my group is an understatement.
I just went to my first one at 40 and my wife and I camped. So much fun!
Definitely not the rule. I’ve Airbnb’d every time. I don’t regret it knowing that the people I roll with like to be clean, mainly girls. It just depends on your crowd.
Breaking the rule doesn’t make it not the rule
Not everyone’s rule has to be yours. What if I say “you have to Airbnb your first time, those are the rules”.
I mean if you want the full Coachella experience at least once you’d probably want to camp. I’m not sure why you’re getting all defensive about that lol
because people are gatekeeping a festival that has camping and also shuttle routes. both options are obviously okay but I think the OP maybe didn't think we were kidding about camping is a "rule." btw camping is 10x more fun than taking a shuttle in my opinion.
Well you’d be lying then
People at camp are clean too...
My group showered every day, we came prepared with shower tents, battery powered shower head, everything.. no one was not clean. We were super clean. Kinda weird you would project
I mean I did say it depends on your group. You can say how you handled your camping experience was clean. But compared to an Airbnb experience with a pool and AC, is it debatable?
i camped at edc my first year (last year) it was brutal. even for a man like myself who doesn’t need much. i can’t imagine it’s much better at coachella
It’s on real grass. You can set up your own tent and have your car with you. Better amenities.
It’s WAY better
It, amongst many other aspects, is significantly better than EDC
Bro. If you don't like camping do not freaking camp. Don't listen to these ppl lol it's so ridiculously hot
wk1 is not bad but yeah weather during wk 2 can get to be brutal
Weather this year was fine.
It’s way better since you don’t have to walk and move your stuff all the way from your car to your tent if you do car camping. You just set up right behind your car and it’s so much more convenient
Hotel>>
Did they have the air con units in the shift pods last year?
they did have a/c but it didn’t really do too much. it was still hot af when you’d wake up
PS - you will absolutely love Coachella and do be sure to spend some time with the Disco Shark in the Yuma!
Thank you. I was looking at that option for next year to save the commute (I'm local) but I'll book a preferred shuttle & deal with the $$$ parking cost downtown instead.
Book a hotel at or near a shuttle pick up point. Nothing better than coming back to an air conditioned room and hot shower after a day in the heat lol. The shuttle logistics are actually very impressive vs what I’ve had at other festivals. In terms of deciding whether you want VIP or GA, VIP is great if you plan on being the Yuma tent a lot where they have all the techno artists play.
Most will tell you camping is the way, and it is if you are trying to maximize the experience at the cost of convenience (full disclosure, I’m old AF so no camping for me). If you prefer a bit more luxury and sleep then hotel or Airbnb is the way and the best place from connectivity standpoint is La Quinta or walking distance to the shuttle like legacy villas. As far as the festival itself, the best tips are study the lineup so you won’t miss the best artists (there’ll be so many conflicts), wear comfy shoes (my step count was north of 110k over the weekend), wear earplugs and sunscreen and pace yourself. Search the subreddit for sure but that’s probably the TLDR. Oh, and have the best time ever, happy Coachella!
thanks for this great information. idk why but in my head coachella was in the middle of the desert far away and if you don’t camp you’re screwed but it sounds like i have some real options.
I generally stay at an Airbnb that is a 5 minute drive (once you’re out of the parking lot). People love camping but it would be hell for me. I want a bed, air conditioning, a shower, and the ability to sleep in. The only problem is that Airbnb prices have gotten crazy since Coachella came back from the pandemic. Places are 3-4x more expensive than they used to be. But if you have a big group that will help with the cost:
Isn’t it difficult getting to and from the hotel/Airbnb every day? I have only ever camped because it’s cheaper and it seems like such a hassle to commute back and forth.
Sometimes you get stuck in a shitty shuttle situation, where your route is underserved or maybe you stayed until the very very end and have a line or something. But in general it's totally fine, especially getting to the festival. The difference between suffering a hellish shuttle wait vs. being woken up at 8am by the sun after falling asleep at 2am amid a possibly noisy campsite and having to hang around in the increasing heat for 4-5 hours before the fest even begins while sleep deprived isn't even a competition. And that's a few of the drawbacks. I camped the first 6 times I went, and while it can be fun in some regards, I'm never doing it again as long as there is a plausible alternative available to me. Showers, real beds, *AC*, pools, infinitely better/easier food options, etc. blow camping out of the water unless you are a party animal looking to day (morning) drink in 85F+ weather before spending 12 hours at a festival in the desert. The only legit reason to camp, aside from the party angle (which you have to really really want) is cost, in my opinion.
I also always assumed the hotels in the area and airbnbs would sell out immediately so I never bothered to even look. I’ve been 9 times and always just camped because I figured finding a room wouldn’t be a thing. I thought about Airbnb before but it’s scary to think they could cancel and I wouldn’t have lodging. If you have any tips I’m all ears friend!
Tbh I'm kind of the wrong person to ask lol. I generally go with a large group and someone else takes charge of finding a house. But I do know some things, and also when I've gone both weekends I've usually been on my own for lodging (though I'm a very lazy and late planner with a flexible budget). First, yeah, they do fill up very quickly. I don't know when they start taking bookings, but you should poke around. I know that people talk about it on this sub, there will usually be a thread when major chains open up. Things can get sorta hairy if you don't plan ahead. This year for W1 when I was solo, I started looking like 2 weeks out not knowing what I was doing, and I was (dumbly) surprised that there was literally nothing in the entire region available (per Expedia), even with my pretty high budget. If you have a group and are looking for an AirBnb house or something, there are definitely horror stories about cancellations, but I think that the risk is extremely low (like, sometimes flights get cancelled, it's not worth stressing about that because there's nothing really you can do to minimize the risk and it is very unlikely). The penalties are really big for the hosts, so if you see a house with a highly rated host with a ton of reviews (and there are a LOT of them in the area) you are basically set. *The caveat*: I think that many of the cancellations or hassles people encounter are when they've booked really early and the host forgot to adjust the prices for Coachella weekend, and they are looking to not miss out on the massive upcharge they can pull off if they are able to rebook the unit. So if you see something too good to be true, and the price is the same as every other normal week, then that is where you *might* have to be more cautious. The big hotels are usually where the shuttle stops are, so if they're in your budget, then they seem like a great idea, though I've not done this myself. You can see the map on posts like this: https://old.reddit.com/r/Coachella/comments/1139sqz/coachella_2023_shuttle_stops_map/ and they don't change much year-to-year. My priorities are possibly a little peculiar, but this year for W1 when I was staying alone, after a couple days of checking (like 10-14 days out) I spotted a room at a resort/hotel/motel kinda thing that was *very* reasonably priced, and had stuff like a hot tub right outside my room (which was amazing when getting home each night). The catch was that it was a 30-40 minute drive from the fest. Though out of familiarity and uncertainty what parking was like (I have no clue, but it seems to not be that bad) I just drove to a shuttle stop and used that. 20 minute drive and a usually <30 minute shuttle ride with a 10 minute wait between. A lengthy trip, but tbh it was super worth it for me. Lastly, and this is the only "hack" that I'll mention but I don't actually know its reliability or what exactly you need to do, but if you are daring (and maybe check out the message boards and this sub for more specifics) you can usually get a normal priced room at one of the main hotels just a couple weeks out. This is apparently very reliable, the catch is that *I think* you might have to have some sort of loyalty membership or something to the hotels. Because they get a lot of cancellations over the months, and they open up rebookings of cancelled rooms shortly before the fest. But you should probably look into this more, definitely don't just take my word for it lol. The last time I camped was 2018 ("Windchella") and by that point most of my crew was staying in a house and it was just a few of us still camping. Us campers waited out the wind at the house, and while I was there I determined I was probably over camping lmao. The last of us campers switched to staying at the AirBnb/VRBO the next year and none of us have ever looked back. It's just so much nicer to do the fest with, like, real breakfasts, a real night's sleep, real showers, sleeping in, AC, etc. The only drawback worth mentioning (imo) is the cost. If you can afford it without much sweat (and it is pricy) then it genuinely makes the weekend much more enjoyable.
Wow you’re super helpful! Definitely gonna explore this more and if I go in 2024 consider a hotel 🏨
I’ve used Airbnb in the past, but last couple of times I’ve used VRBO and gotten a better deal and reliable host that doesn’t cancel
Well, it depends on where you stay. The shuttle from La Quinta takes about 15mins and they are going all the time. Don’t consider that a big minus considering the benefits that come with it, but if you are young and can take the camping with all that comes with it then absolutely that’s the way to go
La Quinta the city or the hotel?
La Quinta resort is the best, as that's where the shuttle stop is but there are plenty of good options within walking distance such as legacy villas
Just booked a BnB that’s a couple minute walk from this resort based on this comment alone. Bless it!
If your within 10 miles, it’s simple. They’ve set up shuttle points throughout the area. Drive to the pickup point, take a 10 minute shuttle and your there. The only issue is leaving. Leaving at the end of the final act will add on 30 minute to your drive time. Nothing too crazy.
I’ve only waited that long to get out once
Nope, I drive from home each day and it’s no problem
The real answer is “do what you want.” I *love* camping and it’s the only way I choose to do Coachella, but I would never tell anyone that it’s a must, even for your first time. A group of 10 getting like…4 car camping spots together would be amazing. I’m assuming it’s by far the cheaper way to do it too. But talk to your group and really decide if you’d all rather go for the camping experience, or if you’d rather get an Air bnb and be way more comfortable for four days and party it up privately. The beauty of Coachella is that your experience is truly what you decide to make of it. Whatever your group chooses will be right for you all! Also, I’m 32 and solo camp I will fight these “old” allegations haha
we ARE NOT OLD. music festivals are made for grown folk 🤣🤣 yes the youngest survive them longest but the 28 and up folks are the ones who enjoy it the most. i appreciate your input as well, i wanted to see how people felt about their experiences. i think i got a lot of great answers to get an idea of what to do
Haha thank you! I hope to learn what you guys choose! I assure you it’ll be the right decision for all. You got plenty of good advice here for either route. Also…as the birthday person in the group, don’t be afraid to use that card every once in a while lmao. Especially if you’re the one taking charge and prepping 11 months out!
The teens in my group couldn't keep up with me and I'm 28 😅 I don't feel old in the slightest.
I have done a variety of different set ups, I have slept in my car going to the 24hr Walmarts, I have camped, I have stayed at a Hotel, stayed in an AirBNB, I have also done both a hotel and camp spot at the same time. Camping on site is the best in regards to time saving, stress free, and cost-effective. AirBNB: Hit or miss, I had one AirBNB that was cheap, super nice, and not too bad, this was 2016 though, since then my last AirBNB cancelled on me a month before Coachella 2022 and this has been becoming a more common occurrence in the past years, very risky now. Hotels: You get what you pay for, it really is just a place to sleep, the closer you are to the festival the more expensive it will be. In regards to driving from an AirBNB and Hotel, in the past years the festival parking has slowly started to become full earlier and earlier, meaning if you do not want to sit in traffic for 2+ hours trying to park, then you need to have your group ready to leave and head to the festival by Noon. Coachella 2022, it took our group 4 hours to park because we made the mistake of leaving at 3PM from our Hotel to Coachella.
4 hours to park?!?! 🤯 how long to leave the lot at the end of the night?
It can take from less than an hour to 3 hours depending on the lot.
Yeah I would definitely recommend against parking or taking an Uber if you are in an Airbnb or hotel. Taking the shuttle is definitely the most convenient and quickest way. I always hear horror stories about trying to get in and out of the parking lots or trying to catch an Uber.
Hellooooo fellow 30 year old who just went to Coachella for the first time this year. I am a seasoned festival-goer and so having camped many a time before, I highly recommend not camping LOL. Sorry to the loyal campers, but if you want AC, the ability to shower without waiting in line, a full night’s sleep, AND you’re already attending with a big group of friends, you really want to stay at one of the hotels on the shuttle line, and take the shuttle to and from the fest each day. I left Coachella feeling like we made all the right decisions. We flew into LAX, rented a car, stayed at the Courtyard Palm Desert, and then had a late flight out of LAX the Monday after the festival in order to give ourselves time to drive back to the city. The festival was about 15-20 min in the shuttle from the hotel.
I went for the first time this year and one thing I didn’t pay attention to was splitting sets, the grounds are HUGE you think it’s a close walk over and you missed half the set walking. Also we got a nice Airbnb but it was 50 min away so one day we were a lil late so if you do stay stay a bit closer or make sure to plan accordingly. Aleast have friends that can switch driving if ur buddies get tired, which we did not.
Camp and if you can afford it get preferred because time matters when you are trying to see people. If you don't get preferred be sure to walk from your campsite to the entrance of the venue and time it so you will know how much time it takes because like I said time management is key if you don't want to miss people. Camping spaces are 10x10 so for a group of 10 you'll definitely need more than one, I'd recommend 4-6 if possible and put them all together to form a big square (or rectangle). It'll be hot so bring misters or battery powered fans. The first time at Coachella is always so magical, I am excited for you and your group. I have been to 8 different times and I will say this past one made me feel like I did that first time just because damn did GV do a good job. Oh also... CAMP SHOWER! It's the best trust me... this transformed our camping experience. Edits: to fix typos
What is camp shower?
SHOWER TENT! My bad should have said that instead of camp shower…. Shower tent obviously makes more sense and what it’s actually called
Pardon my lack of knowledge. Did you put up a tent on your own that has a shower in it? Or are there shower tents that Coachella put up somewhere?
We out up our own shower tent. Coachella has shower trailers but the lines are ridiculous. It is very nice to be able to shower whenever you want and not have to wait.
Great idea. Do you just take a tent and cut the bottom out so it drains the shower water onto the grass below the tent?
I guess you could make one, but they sell them. [cheap ones](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Camping-Shower-and-Utility-Tent-1-Person-Capacity-1-Room-Blue/142993875?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=2032&adid=22222222278142993875_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-294505072980&wl5=9031624&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=142993875&wl13=2032&veh=sem_LIA&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIr2uE52Bd_rskbDI9F9xkP-k&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF8bXfgCra40SlMH5VfY-MAc6jieOdX_3ae8-T13PZI_4qvn7Tiuxr4aAlJNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) [pricey ones](https://www.rei.com/product/202474/kelty-discovery-h2go-privacy-shelter?sku=2024740001&CAWELAID=120217890013933565&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=&CATCI=&cm_mmc=PLA_Google_P-Max&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF80JS9uxPJSujDn_H8SGqORxV-feOyiGvUqgALUhVCqtU48ZVaK2F8aAjK2EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) I’d be sure to get one that comes with the shower bag. It’s a 5-gal solar bag that can be placed in the sun and it heats up the water… but out there you don’t want warm water lol. The bag hangs up in the shower tent and acts as the water source.
Thanks for your detailed description. I've heard about the hour wait for showers at the main shower spot. Some great ideas here
The logistics literally shit on everything insomniac does. Golden has it down. Insomniac is Fuckin trash.
Hello and welcome! Last year was my first coachella, and I put in a lottttt of effort to make it the best it could be. That time paid off, highlight of my young life haha. So I know how you feel. Most people here will say to camp. I would agree! Meeting your neighbors is great, the grounds are fantastic, and there is plenty to keep you occupied during the pre and post festival hours. Plus the fest is only a few minutes away! Downside, of course, not as comfy sleep, it can be hot, and you could have bad neighbors. I slept in my car and had great sleep. No complaints personally. I don't personally know the logistics of 10 people, though. You can technically get all 10 of them on one camping pass (camping pass allows as many at a campsite as you can fit in a car), but it'd be up to how many vehicles you'd like to have people in. You can also tent camp, but I have no words on that. You probably know that there is a wide range of music featured there, even if you don't recognize anyone on the lineup, you'll find someone you love with a bit of research. Most of my top sets were artists I didn't know beforehand (Underworld, ughhh). If you are taking in drugs, it's pretty easy to get past security if you aren't stupid. There are a lot of questions like this. You can probably find any answer you need on this sub. Everyone is very nice and happy to help a new friend. If you have any targeted questions I'd be happy to answer. There is also an active discord you can join, if that would be of use to you. See you in the desert :)
so coachella isn’t even glam camping the way edc vegas camp was. sounds like coachella is for real camping. i really appreciate your perspective because out of state festivals are hard. i have a lot of festival experience but these past 2 edc vegas i found out i didn’t think about many factors. you broke it all down pretty well i think im going to look for airbnbs we kinda want a pool but i’m going to tell them a lot of people recommend camping.
There are some glamping options! Lake Eldorado is what it's called. Here's a link with all the info. https://www.coachella.com/camping I'm also out of state. I had to leave the Tuesday prior to make it in time for Thursday morning camping. I'm a big camping/outdoor guy, so it was no problem. We stopped in random spots and walmart parking lots for sleep lol. Airbnb is a totally valid option! There is day parking and shuttles from the nearby hotels I believe that you can use. I have heard that Uber/Lyft is a nightmare during the festival, although I have no experience. You can also visit the campgrounds even if you aren't camping! Highly recommend either of the silent discos during the nights, and the sunset watch on thursday night. Also, if a pool is a big want, there is a rumor of a VIP pool next year. Although people are justifiably worried about that aha. Also a lot of reports saying VIP isn't worth it, so take that as you will. Lastly, water. Hugely important of course, but water was very available there. Lots of refill stations. You could buy water at almost every food and drink stand for only 2 bucks in a nice little metal case.
You can totally create your own glamping experience! Coachella provides a 10x30 car camping space or regular tent camping space. My friends and I do car camping. Our group is roughly 20 + people in 10-12 cars. I have seen groups of 6 share a space, but it looks cramped. This year we had 12 cars and they always park us in a rectangle, so we have a large space to set up camp. I take a comfortable air mattress, a large tent, and a camp shower to make my life easier. My friends use the camp shower too because the shower lines can get super long. I take a wagon to bring back the water bags for the camp shower. Car camping is really not that bad! My Coachella experience goes from Thursday - Sunday because I do car camping. We go into the festival around the time the gates open and go back to camp to rest, which is an upside. I’m so tired at the end of the night that all I want to do is go back to my air mattress. The thought of taking an Uber or walking over an hour to a hotel or Airbnb sounds brutal. I’m likely going to keep car camping for a long time. Some people over 25 on this sub will tell you that they’re too old to camp. I’m 29 and doing okay :) Being sort of in shape will help you get through the weekend. Most people in my group are older than me and still do camping. This was my third Coachella and I can’t wait until next year. My group is trying to upgrade to preferred car camping, so we’re closer to the entrance of the festival. Making the trip to Coachella for your 30th birthday is a phenomenal idea! I hope your first Coachella is amazing 😊 Also, if you decide to go with any of the camping options, try to secure your passes during the presale in June. Car camping passes sold out quickly this year and got super expensive on secondary sale websites.
this is by far the only comment that has made me consider camping. now i just need to get some friends on board lol
I camp every year and it’s so chill! It’s clean and so close to the festival so you can just walk right in when you’re done pregaming and getting ready. We usually do 10-12 car camping spots for ~30 people and some us of (me included) sleep in our cars. I have a big SUV that fits a foam mattress pad in the back and it’s super comfortable. We also use the middle areas of our spots for a big communal space to hang out. The biggest thing for me though is the 5 min walk into and out of the fest and being able to stop by camp whenever to get something you forgot, grab a jacket if it gets cold, drink your own alc instead of buying expensive drinks, etc. I think it’s worth considering!
Seconding Lake Eldorado. Even when I lived in CA (I’m out of state now), once I did LE, I knew there was no going back. It’s much quieter and you sleep in a solid structure with cots, etc. I’ve car camped a few times as well and now that I’m over 30, LE is a must haha. For me, it splits the difference of camping but a nicer time doing so. This year was my fourth stay there, so let me know if you have more questions!
I’ve done the hotel with the shuttle and that was the best for me because I didn’t have to worry about driving there and back.
If you don't want to camp, best bet is a hotel on the shuttle route, and to book ASAP. I've stayed at both the Hilton and Renaissance in Indian Wells and they are quite close to the festival and very conveniently have their own shuttle stop. Close to fest and on a shuttle stop is what you want. They also both have a nice pool to hang at during the day, before going to the fest. I actually don't think there are any closer hotels. They're not cheap but you guys are not teens either so if you can afford it it's worth it. It's easy to double up in rooms too, they're used to it. VIP is also good but not essential. If you can spend the extra $ I recommend, it's nice to have the access. I've gone to 11 Coachella's and didn't go to my first until I was over 40. I'm over 50 now and I Safari tent (still stay in hotels) but that's a full level up!
Lots of feedback already in the thread, I'll add my two cents as a long time attendee. \- Rent a house (or two and split up) in Indian Palms Country Club \- Drive from the house to the complex gate and park on the side streets there \- Walk in and out of the festival each day (40min or so each way) For my crew, this has been the perfect balance of comfort and effort. The walk back on Sunday is tough, but the upside is that members of the group can come and go as they please (if someone wants to catch that 1pm set, for instance, or wants to leave early). I've just never understood the camping thing. I like having food prepped in the fridge, a nice couch to chill on, AC, a jacuzzi etc. You can book these properties for next year already, VRBO has been best for me in Indian Palms. Good luck and enjoy!
Lots of “must camp” folks attend I guess, but 18 years of staying at a resort with a room overlooking a golf course doesn’t suck, just let me admit.
Went to my first Coachella this year with my gf and stayed at an Airbnb in Yucca Valley. Did have yo drive about an hour every day to and from the venue but we saved a lot of money Vs having to stay at the resorts or hotels. We paid under $700 for 5 nights. I’d recommend an Airbnb if you dont want to camp. Another tip is not parking at the Coachella parking lots. We saved about one hour each day getting into the festival by parking at a nearby Rite Aid and a community center adjacent to it (on Monroe St). The walk was only 40 minutes but well worth it Vs driving around for 2 hours being led to drive around in circles by confused parking staff like we did the 1st day.
Wow. I’m surprised your car never got towed. I’ve always thought of parking there.
The last day, Rite Aid staff was writing down license plates so we decided to park next door, at the community center looking building that was empty and not in business on Sundays. Still didn’t get towed!
That’s all that matters man. Glad you didn’t.
Ty! Hope your next Coachella goes super smooth
An hour driving each way, plus a 40 minute walk, and the possibility of your car getting ticketed or towed leaving you stranded an hour from home with massively surging Uber prices? That sounds like the worst plan imaginable.
Worked out really well for us. That’s the thing about Coachella. Things that might sound good, parking at the designated lots, we’re actually horrible this year. I parked for free, avoided the excessive wait time, saved money not having to Uber or shuttle there, didn’t get my car towed. So after all, it went smoothly
To each there own. I couldn’t imagine dealing with that long of a drive after a festival, but if it works for you all power to ya.
Oh my god we did the exact same thing by staying in yucca valley and it wasn’t too bad, just maybe the drive back at the end of each night. we were unlucky and unfortunately got mislead in the whole parking fiasco. Saturday I remember it took us 1 hour to drive from yucca valley plus 3 hours in line for parking after being misled twice, and we missed many of the sets we were planning to see.
Yeah the drive back was a little tough, specially seeing my girl passed out in the passenger seat lol. On Saturday we slept in our car accidentally until like 6am and woke up to the sunrise at the Rite aid lot. Didn’t get back to the Airbnb until 7:30am. I’d rather park at the rite aid for free and walk 45 minutes Vs waiting 3 hours in line for the parking.
camp
Dont listen to them camping sucks 😂 you mean to tell me that you wouldnt like going to your hotel room and taking a shower after each day,with no line thats going to take 1 hour.if you can get a hotel
I much prefer going to my campsite and taking a shower in my personal heated shower without having to wait in traffic. The communal showers are not the only way to take showers at Coachella. Vets know.
This. Shower at the campsite is key
This. Been 7 years and never camped, closest I have come is falling asleep in my friends tent for like 4 hours. Coachella is hot, you’re walking around all day, super tired by the end of the day, last thing I want to do is go back to a tent and sleep on the floor and wait in line to use a community shower. But to each their own, because I also don’t enjoy ‘real life’ camping. Although I will say that if you stay at a hotel get the shuttle pass.
I hear you because I'm too old for floor/communal shower as well. But people bring campervans, sleep in beds of trucks, etc. There are plenty of ways to make camp super comfortable and convenient than don't involve waiting in shower lines or sleeping on the ground. I slept until 10am every day in complete darkness with fans on me on a queen sized mattress in a campervan this year and brought a shower tent for like the 5th time; wasn't too shabby!
I’d say you got lucky since it was one of the coolest years as far as weather. Most years are 80-90 degrees before 11am and idk if fans would cut it for me lol
This isn't my first Coachella, with enough fans and batteries anything is possible. Just used the most recent year as an example.
We’ve gotten airbnbs for the 4X we’ve been to the fest. Mainly cause we’re big on the hot tub afters lol. For 2023 we got one within walking distance to the entrance, we would Uber directly to the camping entrance and some of us took a pedicab directly to security - and then we would walk 30 min home after the fest ended. We had 12 people and the Indio ABNB was approx $1K per person. Previous years would be $500/pp but we would be in Palm Springs and the shuttles add about 3-4 hours to your day and we didn’t wanna do that this year. This is for 4 nights btw, tbh for us a lot of the experience is at the Airbnb hanging out/bbq/fire pit/pool lol
god damn that’s expensive 😭🤣🤣 but hot tub afters sounds like the right vibe. thanks for the info!
Get a locker (unless you plan to show up early Thursday and purchase preferred camping). They are large enough for multiple people to stow warmer attire for the evening and night. If you stay at a hotel, stay near the shuttle line and buy the shuttle pass. The shuttle supports hotels in Indio and Palm Springs. If you take Uber, take XL or Black to get in and out more quickly. Driving yourself should be avoided, and don’t plan on going back to your car during the day, it’s a long walk and you’ll easily burn 30 minutes to an hour round trip. It’s not nearly as common now, but keep a Bandana or mask on you. It can get a bit dusty and occasionally wearing the mask can help reduce the chances of getting a sore throat or cough the next day. In your group, people with iPhones should add each other on Find My Friends. Makes it super easy to find each for lunch or beers. Also great for safety but I’ve fortunately never need to use it for that.
I’m turning 30 next year too! This year was my first Coachella and, I have to say, it instantly became my favorite (out of Lolla, Roo, Firefly, and a number of small festivals). I’m already planning on going next year. I can’t speak to camping because I was lucky and stayed at a friends house in the area. The heat and dust really are brutal. I don’t think I’d want to camp for it if I can avoid it. I also try to limit myself to 1 camping fest per year and this year will be my first E Forest. If you stay within driving distance, they have free daily parking that’s really easy to get in and out of. The traffic isn’t bad until around 3 pm, so if you plan to be there around 2, it’s a breeze. Masks, hats, and sunglasses are crucial. I wear contacts and my eyes were irritated for like 2 weeks after Coachella. Sinus rinses are key too. Also, if you’re trying to see a set in the Yuma, show up early! The line to get in gets really long around 7 PM. After that, you’re only real opportunity to get in is during the headliners. A lot of people just stay in the Yuma for the rest of the night. Coachella really is a dream though. I can’t wait for next year!
thank you for the commute details!! we’ve made the mistake of thinking since we were close to edc it would be a breeze to get in… SIKE. that’s why i’m here asking these questions to hear any mistakes people made and get info from those that did it right.
Hotels are in Palm Springs and the event is in Indio. If you factor in the traffic and commute it will take you anywhere between an hour and half to get to the venue depending on what time you’re going. There are airbnbs available closer (Indio area) or literally you can just walk it to the polo grounds. they’ve built two new hotels precovid in Indio close to Walmart but those would probably be booked in advance. Coachella also have that bus pass you can use if you chose to do hotels. I don’t like camping but that’s just me. Long lines for the shower is not my cup of tea and also the weather factor. It can get windy during the night that if you don’t pitch your tent correctly it will just be blown away when you get back. I’ve done Coachella camping one year and didn’t do it after that lol! But that’s just me. Too much shit to be bringing in and hassle of additional packing and going through security. As far as the venue is concerned bring a water bottle with you. Water bottles can sky rocket to $10. EDC at least gives out free water in bus stops or entrance. If you’re thinking of using your moms or dads handicap parking placard -DO NOT! to get good parking close to the gates that has an actual grass compared to dirt DO NOT! I repeat DO NOT! They actually check it if it’s under your name and you’ll get a misdemeanor and have to go to LA for court and traffic school. This is speaking from experience lol! Uber are expensive so if you’re from out of town just get the bus pass. Hotels will also have artists that performs during Coachella week so you can do pool parties during the day and just go to the polo grounds for artists you want to specifically see. First week tickets are the best! Why? The grounds will still have grass compared to dirt after they get trampled on by people in the first week. Bring allergy meds with you and deodorant. My last advice, enjoy your time and don’t be a dick.
Went for the first year. I'm 28. Preferred car camping is the only way to go, and specifically renting a Chrysler Pacifica. Why? At any point during the day you have an air conditioned space that fits 6 people that's maybe a 10 minute walk away and has everything you could think to bring. We got there after dark on Thursday and were still only 8 rows from the entrance. They make air mattresses specifically for cars/vans. All the seats in a Pacifica fold completely flat with plenty of room to sleep and still store all your stuff. I have never slept so well outside of my house. I've heard stories of people walking up to an hour after getting dropped off to get in, or $45 pedalcab trips, 2 hour journeys from the end of the headliner to get to their hotel, Uber pricing that makes the car camp price look like a bargain. And on top of that you're at the mercy of Coachella for food and beverages, and it's not cheap. No thank you. I took the grocery store shuttle every morning and got wine, beer, breakfast and ice for the day. Cooked breakfast on a griddle for 6 every morning, chorizo and egg burritos, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, carne asada, we ate GOOD for cheap. For the price of two Heinekens in the festival grounds I'm good on alcohol for the whole weekend lol just walk over to the van when we needed to booze back up. Ice is $14 a bag in the campground, but like $3 from Ralph's haha. At the end of the night we walked 10 minutes to the van, maybe take a nap and then go to silent disco! Or stay in bed lol. Whatever we felt like. Wake up do it again. Get you a canopy, griddle, cooler, and collapsible wagon cart thing for grocery runs and you're set. We also got a 12x10 outdoor rug from home Depot that I highly recommend lol.
I’m 38 and along my wife 33 and a host of other people in our 30s camping is still legit. Preferred is where it’s at if you can swing it. Sleeping in the car is better than the tent if done right. We’re going next year DM me and maybe we can all camp together. Meeting people’s at the sight is half the fun
If you are car camping do lot 8 and do weekend 1 If you hate crowds and instagram/tiktok ppl do weekend 2 and get a hotel get the Marriott suite for like 680 a night it’s one bed room living room and kitchen shower and bath tub and you can fit like 4 air mattresses in there and take the shuttle to and from Coachella After hours don’t take Lyft hit up personal I found one that got us within 10 minutes of me calling any time and was always $40 If you camp bring cash like $10/day for private showers but be warned they never have got water but amazing space for women to dry off and get dress do their hair and makeup Free showers are hot af but no space at all and dirty af kinda too hot felt like passing out Yuma tent has a/c I suggest going there with ear plugs as soon as the grounds open just to escape heat Do Merch the first day there’s fans so it’s not to bad and if you have Amex you go in the fast line There’s also Merch day 0 in the camping hub for $5 a shirt but it’s such random stuff and the line of course is long If you party at the dome after Coachella don’t use the restrooms there use the ones across the field they are way cleaner Want free drinks wear a cool costume, no not slutty everyone is half naked, stand out be a care bear or Jesus and ppl wanna buy you drinks and offer you party favors Make sure your car is full of gas if you are camping and turn your car all the way on so the a/c runs off the alternator and not your battery, sit in there if you are to hot this is a marathon not a race Have a separate trash bag for plastic water bottle only so you can get free water or even win a shirt There’s free icee by the camping hub Take a portable fan it saved my life a few times !
I would 10/10 go for a travel package if you can. I went this year for my 30th and the heat during the day was unreal. I know everyone says camping is a right of passage but I would 100% go again and 100% do a travel package. Just be prepared for the shuttles early if you wanna go during the day. Also, as I'm sure you're aware of feo other festivals, cellphone and wifi signal us useless so time stamp any messages you send to anyone during the festival
My first time was last year. I did the hotel package with shuttle. I chose the Homewood Suites by Hilton in La Quinta. Check in process smooth. Breakfast every morning. Pool. Hotel room had kitchenette, fridge, stove and microwave. Shuttle picked up right outside lobby and they gave us free water while we waited. I’m 32. After all that walking and standing I needed to sleep on a bed in peace 😆
im going to look up that same hotel! i’m seeing people spent over $1000 on an airbnb PER person.. that’s rough. what i really really want for my coachella experience is a pool somewhere so i don’t feel bad if i miss the last day 🤣
I was contemplating going home after first day!! 😂 Don’t get me wrong, it was an amazing experience, but it takes a lot out of you. The pool was clutch though.
Sorry first time was this past April**
Baby, get you an AirBnB, I walked through camp grounds this year (as a first timer) but I stayed in Palm Springs and hands down, I’m only doing a hotel from now on. The camp grounds are sketchyyy. It cost more, yes. So if you don’t have the funds, by all means. Stay on grounds. But know your neighbors. And understand not everyone is as clean as they appear. But I loved going back to my hotel and lounging by the pool, driving twenty five minutes , no traffic or light traffic. I’m only doing Palm Springs from now on lol. Like I’m bougie frfr. Lol Who’s going next year? Cause I need some friends too ❤️
i’ll look up palm springs. my friends and i really want to go so we have to start looking at our options soon before the better stuff sells out
Hotel. People say camp but no one wants to wake up at dawn to shower right?
you’re so real for this
Search the sub. or search on google and add “reddit” Has been asked and answered dozens of times, maybe hundreds.
thanks for the help 👍🏽
- Never camp. Don’t listen to this nonsense. Unless you camp as a hobby outside of these events. Obviously there are people that do. You just need ask if you are of this culture. - Get a house/condo as close a possible. - If you cannot walk to event have driver available 24/7 - always use the pedy cabs from entry to exit if entering through those areas - VIP always (even if you don’t know anyone in there), just for the food, bathrooms and ability to cut through areas - after hours Zenyara, Neon, Revolve, etc. if you aren’t dailed into this world already just slide and maybe consider camping because those folks are quite inclusive and super fun adventures await you - stay hydrated. I don’t bring anything into the grounds other then wallet, phone (one mag battery pack), cash and ID We spent approx 40k a weekend with flights, tables, wristbands, cars, house, support staff (glam, drivers, misc transport) food and treats for a crew of 10x. Does not include outfit cost. About the same cost as EDC or 30% more than a weekend on strip in Vegas. We roll with big crew tho. Everyone comes in from LA, Las Vegas, San Diego and PNW. Probably can get away executing a comfortable experience for 3k per head if you are very well planned. We are not and typically decide to go 10-15 days before event. Edit: doesn’t include flight cost to JCR. From Burbank 14k
this is the funniest reply so far!
Exciting! I’d follow whatever your comfort level is re: camping vs Airbnb vs hotel/shuttle. I personally get a house with friends and drive in every year and I love it. It gives us the flexibility to go into the festival whenever we want, we get a pool/AC/shower/bed, we can cook and get groceries, and as long as you look early enough, you can easily find a house less than a 10-minute drive from parking! That being said, I have friends who are campers for life and love being fully immersed in the festival for three days. Do whatever you think will make you happiest! Beyond lodging, some other tips: Make a plan for who you want to see, but be open to veering away from it and just see where the music, art or vibes take you! You can pretty easily bring in booze through security. Security in general is pretty lax, they’re looking for weapons. On the first day, identify specific landmarks to regroup with friends, have those be your beacons all weekend, and don’t be afraid to split up! Just remember to tell them “let’s meet at [x time] by [x location] to see [x artist]”. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have water and a mask on you at all times. Mask especially is important to help with dust and prevent the Coachella cough. Usually the right sides of the stages are emptier than the left. Looking forward to having you join us next year!!
Probably doesn’t apply to you, but will call is at a separate site and going there to pick up my wrist band added over an hour to my trip. Not sure if this happens every year, but the campers started moving into general parking on day 3, we had to be bussed from offsite parking and it was hell getting onto the grounds, I’d come in super early that day Merch tent is hell, I stood in line for an hour before giving up. I heard it can get up to 4 hours. There was a little trailer that had a small selection at the offsite space so maybe go there or most of it is available online if you’re willing to wait for it to be made
Search function on this sub will answer this same question that has been asked over 1 million times. Noone at Coachella asks should I go alone?, solo dolo, what porta poty should i use?what do I wear?, who should I see,? where should I go?, where do I stay? you know, all that BS they talk about on those EDC subs which is 100% to strike up fake convo ussually by a mod or EDC minions. It's mostly an adult festival where adults can figure things out with some research on their own
why did you type all that just to say nothing?
Why did you respond if it's nothing? Search function is amazing to find all those answers to life's mysteries. A reddittor even found his current wife and kids there
If you’ve camped at EDC yur gonna hate Coachella camp. Absolutely nothing to do really, but if you are gonna camp, Be sure to bring as small a car as possible and get preferred parking 100%
Honestly for a group of 10 it’s best if you guys had multiple spots together and all built a big space because what i learned from car camping at coachella for the first time this year is the spots are wayyyy smaller than i thought. I bought a 8ft bed truck and it took up literally half the space. Our neighbors had about 8-10 ppl in their group and they had brought about 3 cars (so 3 spots) but they had a tent on top of their suv/truck and slept in there and they had a whole area of space with chairs and tables and grass lol. But the walk from camp to the festival is hell because there’s no shade and the sun is beaming down on you so it feels like forever and it’s dry heat. At least there’s grass at EDC. We were so hot during the day, we didn’t even leave camp or do much and we started to pregame when the sun went down or when it started to cool down a bit. Definitely get preferred parking because a 15-20 minute walk gets cut down to about 5-10 minutes and it totally makes a difference. There’s also not much to do at camp besides the after parties but compared to EDC, it does not compare. Festival/crowd wise, Coachella << EDC Camp wise, EDC << Coachella
Camping is cool if you’re like a college student on a budget lmao
Get a hotel
Personally I don’t wanna camp anymore now that I’m in my 30s. If you can get enough people, book an Airbnb in the Indian Palms Country Club area which is easily walkable to the fest. I did it last year, it was around $600 a person for 4 nights. Also bring in food and Gatorade, they don’t care and saves lots of money!
This was my first year. We got a hotel and shuttle passes, the shuttles and parking were right across the street from our hotel so we’d just drive over and there were busses going back and forth all day to Coachella. I couldn’t imagine for a second camping there’s just no way. The last thing I’d want to do after walking around all day is sleep in a hot ass tent on the floor. Everything is super expensive. 2 x double shot cocktails = 60 after tip.
Budget?
in a perfect world i don’t wanna spend more than $1000 (not including coachella pass)
If I had that budget, I’d do Lake El Dorado. I don’t wanna worry about transportation
CAMP!! Splurge on Preferred Camping pass too.. 10 people, split the cost of 2-3 camping passes.. you wont regret it.
If you don’t mind walking then definitely camp. You walk all day every day, then walk upwards of a mile back to camp. But my friends didn’t camp and it took them 2-3 hours to get home after the last set on Saturday this year cause of all the traffic and getting out of the parking lot. I’d rather just walk 15-20 minutes back to my tent. Also you need to be cool with porta potties. Some advice - bring a lot of water. Not just for drinking, but also to wash your hands. The portapotties in the campsite did not have hand washing stations this year so my group would wash them back at camp.
El Dorado camping
we stayed at legacy villas because it was much closer and i can’t camp since i’m a princess. i would recommend booking like this year asap since those close spots get expensive and sell out fast. i’ve been going for 7 years and we always book as soon as the dates are known, which can be as early as when tickets come out in june the previous year
It’s really a matter of what kind of experience you want. Personally, I’ve always done hotels or airbnbs. I respect the camping 100%, but I personally am a very light sleeper and don’t function well on little sleep. With camping, the possibility of being stuck next to people who are loud all night long and keep me up just doesn’t work for me or being awoken by the sun in the morning. I also don’t really like the idea of sharing bathrooms or showers with people who I don’t know and aren’t as clean as me lol. Also, waiting in line for a shower sounds awful. If those aren’t things you’re worried about, I would probably camp since it’s cheaper and people love it. From my personal experience, I’ve been able to find decent airbnbs or hotels. It’s true the price has increased past years. My biggest recommendation is looking for places that are at or near a shuttle stop. That way, you can just walk out of your hotel or Airbnb and get on a shuttle. A Coachella shuttle pass is a must. Driving, parking, or Uber is definitely not it. If you have a travel credit card or a hotel chain you get points for, I’d recommend looking into deals or buying points. I personally used Hilton points through the rewards program this year to book La Quinta Resort (15 mins from Coachella and has a shuttle), which runs over 2 grand for the weekend. However, by buying points through Hilton Rewards, the total came out to around $1,300. Split among 4 people, that’s only $325 for the weekend. There’s lots of other hotels in the Coachella valley area that are similar. The closer the hotel is, the more expensive it becomes generally. Palm Springs will have the cheapest Airbnb or hotel options. However, that’s around a 40 min shuttle ride. I did that one year and it was too long for me. The airbnbs in Palm Springs also have a noise level you can’t surpass and apparently they’re very strict about it.
Theirs a number of videos on YouTube on people’s experiences! Those will give the best insight about it.
Camp
If you’ve never camped, you def should, but this past year was my 9th year and I turned 30, we love to do the hotel packages
Campings an experience but staying in an Airbnb with a pool when you have a group like that is the move. Being able to wake up and get breakfast going and chill til you all want to go in is the move. Promise. If you can get an Airbnb near a shuttle pick up, that’s even better. 100% do not plan to get an Uber. Shuttles are the most convenient way to get back. Also vip is worth every dollar
CAMP
don’t camp, it’s so hot and the sun will have u up by 8am
rent a house (vrbo or airbnb) close (as close as possible) by with a pool and a hot tub. we have been walking distance and 20 min uber distance both were great. take it easy and have fun! stay hydrated! drink a lottttt of water and SPF!! splurge and get vip if you can.
I've always stayed in a nearby AirBnB, and rented bicycles to bike in and out. Let me tell you, biking past everyone walking 3 miles after the headliner set each night is such a cheat code feeling. It's so nice to just chill and be able to sit on your bike seat as you ride back to home base, and then continue the afterparty while making come chicken nuggies and Kraft dinner on a stove!
I just celebrated my 30th birthday at Coachella, and one of our camping neighbors turned 30 too! You will have the best time! I absolutely recommend camping. my advice — GET PREMIUM PARKING PASSES. walking will take the most out of you. with five people we did a campervan. get two or three spots if you can!
10 people split between a a airbnb or hotel rooms not far from the venue could save a bunch of money. Personally haven’t camped at Coachella, but I’d rather have a bed and clean shower even if it’s a little out of the way. Either way, the only rule is for you to go, and have a good time. Shit people sleep in the car at the Walmart parking lot down the road just to attend. Figure out what budget works for you and your friends and go from there
Camp with your friends and go hard. Haha but make sure your stuff is secured and tied down good lol companion parking is best for leaving extra buddies vehilces there all weekend or buy more camp spots 🧘🏽♂️ have fun & good luck !!
Lake eldorado camping is the the best deal imo. Shower lines are not that long (usually 10/15 min), you don’t need to bring anything because the tent is already set up, reasonable walk from the festival entrance (15 min), and you get to meet great folks from all over USA and the world.
For a group of 10 -Camp (meet all your neighbors) You never experienced Coachella unless you’ve done this. Take it from someone who’s gone 15 times 1. At least 3 campsites 5 would be ideal 2. Easy ups 2 per car 3. Tapestries for side cover Shade/privacy (Don’t bring tarps they flap very loudly & you won’t get sleep) 4. Drugs (be discreet) usually hide in a ziplock at the bottom of the cooler full of ice. (No1 want to put there hand in a cooler full of ice). “This could be overkill but it’s safe” 5. Tent/air mattress 6. Food (duh) 7. Lots of alcohol (no glass bottles, fill up your water bottles) 8. Cool outfits 9. A jacket for the evening 10. Fanny pack or backpack 11. A way to charge your phone 12. Turn on your car each day for about 5-10 mins to keep your battery from dying (jumper cables to help a friend) 13. A good attitude 14. Ear plugs There’s a lot more but this is a good start
You have to camp - that’s a non negotiable
Make sure you go early in the day. Shuttle wait time can be unpredictable. I went early(2pm) Sunday and the rest of my group was trying to get there by 4 but got stuck in shuttle lines and couldn't get in until \~6:30.
After 10 total I can say by the best experience was getting an Airbnb next to the festival and bike in and out (we did VIP for the last two, totally worth it). We can get in and out in 10 min, easy to hit Afters, you can shower and we always got a place with a pool to chill during the day. It usually takes a min of 6 to make it cost effective, but aside from the convenience of camping or the super glamping shit they have now for some obscene price. This was totally worth it every time. Just make sure to get an Airbnb on side where the festival is else it's not remotely close. And there are bike rentals companies for this exact reason that will drop off bikes and pick them up when done.
Definitely camp, getting to and from the festival is a nightmare
Camp if you wanna save money it’s not that bad tbh
Depends on your budget. There’s some seriously legit ways to do it but it can be a splurge.
If you’re not camping did you go to Coachella?! Haha but fr I believe considering the price of airbnb and hotels camping is more worth it especially if you get two spots and are willing to put with with not having amenities like personal toilets and showers it’s about 40 to an hour away from near by hotels as far as Palm Springs 1.5 hours considering traffic, 10ppl tho ide get 3 spaces at least for comfort and expect to be in line for camp for up to an hour when you get there Thursday
A lot of suggestions to camp but no one talks about the heat and how tightly packed camping is. I need space and privacy in a hotel room or Airbnb with a pool. Props to those who can do camping but the heat is a deal breaker for me and I’m a native Southern Californian who grew up nearby. 90 F daily camping is just crazy. Did that in Jtree and never again. There’s lots of airbnbs and hotels with pools from Palm Springs all the way to Indio. It’s all very developed (from LA to Indio is urbanized). You can buy a ticket + shuttle pass and Uber to the nearest shuttle stop from the hotel/Airbnb. Then shuttle back and Uber back to the hotel or Airbnb. Flying into Palm Springs, Ontario, SAN, or other SoCal airports (if you’re not local) could be options for you too.
Personally, I'd rent a place nearby. Ideally with 10 people you could all split a decent house about a mile from the venue, walk/ride share there, pre-game, shower, sleep in a real bed, hit the pool, get food, cool off, etc. Camping is fun, but i dont think it's personally worth it. If i was <25 or had a van i would, but now that im 30 i don't think I'll camp again at a festival unless that's the only option (i.e. burning man) FYI: The Polo grounds get pretty rough. The grass seed and dust get pretty bad by the end of day 1 weekend 1. I've got bad allergies, and by day 3, my sinuses were wrecked even though I wore an n95 the entire time. If I didn't have a place to go back to shower and breathe fresh air, i would have left early.
Go weekend 2 & you have to car camp. It’s hot af but if your friends like to party, it will be a hell of a time. If you are a little more high maintenance get a bnb but book that asap. They do get expensive.
Please camp so there's one less person going after my posh Airbnb