How to Get to Coachella 2026
The Coachella lineup is the fun part. The logistics are what decide whether you roll in relaxed or show up already exhausted from traffic and guesswork. The smartest move is to lock your arrival plan first: drive or fly, pick your airport, then choose your last-mile option (shuttle, rideshare, drop-off). Build your game plan now, then secure your Coachella passes with Event Tickets Center so you can focus on the weekend, not the scramble.
Driving to Indo
If you’re driving to Indio, this should be your mindset: a desert road trip with a hard deadline. Festival traffic builds fast, and entry lines do not care how early you left. Pick an arrival window with a buffer, plan where you will stage before the final approach, and think through your late-night exit before Weekend 1 even starts.
Los Angeles to Indio
The drive from Los Angeles to Indio is around 128 miles. This venture can take anywhere from two to four hours, depending on traffic. The drive follows I-10 East past San Bernardino and Palm Springs. Visitors can make a day trip out of the drive by stopping for a meandering stroll in Orange Street Alley in Redlands, or visiting some Palm Springs attractions before finishing the drive into Indio.
Another option to get from Los Angeles to Coachella is taking a bus or shuttle. Greyhound or FlexBus USA buses from Los Angeles run daily and offer the lowest price of all transport options besides driving.
Coachella also offers a specialized shuttle from LAX, especially convenient for those visiting from out of town. Reserve these shuttles directly on the Coachella website.
San Francisco to Indo
Choosing to drive from San Francisco to attend Coachella is a longer haul than Los Angeles, but it is still doable for those opting for a more extended road trip experience. The drive is a little over 500 miles and takes travelers via I-5 South through Santa Clarita and Pasadena. While this direct route isn’t the most eventful, travelers can also choose to drive through Fresno to visit the city's vibrant downtown for only about an added half hour of driving via CA-99 South.
Las Vegas to Indio
The road trip from Las Vegas to Indio for Coachella can take the same amount of time as flying when you factor in time at the airport. The drive is about 276 miles and can take anywhere from about 4 to 5 hours depending on traffic. In order to make the most of this venture, travelers can coordinate their trip to drive through the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park, making the last hour and a half of the drive unforgettable.
Getting to Coachella’s Home: Empire Polo Club
Coachella is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley. Overall, it would not be considered a “walk out of your hotel and stumble into the gates” festival unless you are staying extremely close. For this reason, fans should intentionally choose housing with an idea of how they’ll get to the festival, whether it’s Uber, shuttle, driving, or other. You might also see the venue referenced as “Empire Polo Field” in ticketing and event listings, as that’s the festival's specific home base.
Closest Airports to Coachella: Palm Springs Airport vs. LAX
Deciding which airport to fly into to get to Coachella depends on how much planning you want to do prior to your arrival. The Palm Springs Airport is located only about 15 miles from the festival grounds. PSP also offers straightforward ground transportation options like taxis, shuttles, and ride-sharing right at the airport. For this reason, PSP is the cleanest pick for those who want to spend less time in transit and more time on the fields. However, flights here may be more limited or more expensive than to LAX.
Flying into LA is a longer process, but it may appeal to those looking for cheaper flights, who are planning to rent a car, or who want to explore LA before heading to the festival. If you’re flying into LAX, make sure to plan your rental car, shuttle, or Uber early, as they can tough to find last-minute at peak demand when you arrive.
The Shuttle Shuffle: Getting There!
For those wondering, “Is there a shuttle to Coachella?” yes, and for a lot of fans, it is the easiest way to keep the weekend smooth. The Coachella shuttle works as an all-weekend option, and Valley Music Travel positions it as a traffic-skipping alternative with drop-off and pick-up close to festival entry for a shorter walk.
The winning move here is to match the shuttle type to your trip. The local Coachella shuttle gets you around the valley and into the festival efficiently. The LAX shuttle pass is a different option for people traveling farther, with specific pick-up and drop-off times tied to weekends.
Is Coachella 2026 Sold Out?
“Sold out” usually means primary inventory is gone or limited, not that the door is closed. This is where a secondary marketplace shines: sellers list passes, and shoppers can still find options even when the main drop feels out of reach. Availability moves with demand, weekend preference, and what sellers are listing at the moment, so earlier browsing typically means more choice and less stress. If you are ready to check what is available now, start here: Coachella tickets.
Ready to Claim Your Spot in the Desert?
Coachella travel gets simple when you put it in the right order. First, decide drive or fly. Second, choose your arrival point (Palm Springs for closeness, LAX for flight flexibility). Third, lock the last-mile plan that protects your timing, and for many people, that means committing to the shuttle before the weekend pressure hits. Grab your Coachella tickets at Event Tickets Center and show up in Indio ready to play.