How Much Does It Cost To Go To Coachella?

Coachella is one of the world’s biggest and most iconic music festivals. With jaw-dropping lineups, parties that last until sunrise, and the chance to see your favorite artists in the southern California desert, it’s no wonder Coachella has developed an almost mythical allure for music lovers.

But let’s be real – going to Coachella requires some serious planning, especially when it comes to your budget. Between passes, travel, accommodations, food, merch and more, the costs definitely start adding up. This guide will break down exactly what to expect at every budget level – read on to plan your perfect Coachella experience!

How Much Does It Cost To Go To Coachella?

The cost to go to Coachella that most attendees spend is between $1,000 and $5,000 per person, when factoring in passes, travel, lodging, food, drinks and other expenses. For a more luxe VIP experience with upgrades, expect costs from $5,000 up to $10,000+ per person.

Creating an accurate Coachella budget depends on multiple cost factors working together. Here are the major elements to account for:

Festival Passes – General Admission vs. VIP tickets grant different levels of access. Prices range from $429-$999 per pass based on type and fees.

Accommodations – On-site camping, hotels, home rentals, and glamping options range from $100 to $10,000+ for the weekend. Location and amenities impact this cost.

Travel Expenses – Flights, rental cars, shuttles, parking and other transportation to Indio adds up. Budget $200-$1000 per person roundtrip.

Food & Drinks – With limited vendors on-site, plan for $30-$100+ in meals, snacks and beverages per day.

Extras – Merchandise, locker rentals, upgrades and more surprises at the festival can cost $100-$500+ per person.

Properly accounting for costs in each area results in smooth, headache-free Coachella experiences.

According to Sporting News, General Admission (GA) tickets for Coachella 2025 start at $760 for Weekend 1 and $720 for Weekend 2. GA tickets with camping and shuttle passes range from $1,000 to $2,800. VIP tickets begin at $1,600 for Weekend 1 and $1,200 for Weekend 2, though they do not include camping or shuttle access.

On Housewub, the cost breakdown for attending Coachella includes GA tickets priced at $499 to $599 depending on the tier, with VIP passes starting at $1,269. Additional costs include shuttle passes for $649, which provide transportation to and from the festival. Travel from major cities like Los Angeles can add $50 to $100 in gas, while flights from cities like New York or Miami range from $350 to $700.

According to Los40, attending Coachella can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000 per person, depending on accommodations and travel. For a budget-friendly experience with camping, GA tickets, and basic food, costs are around $2,500 to $3,000. Mid-range experiences with hotel stays and VIP tickets can reach $4,000 to $5,000, while luxury options exceed $7,000.

On Time Out Los Angeles, GA tickets for Weekend 1 start at $649, while Weekend 2 tickets are priced at $599. Shuttle combo tickets cost $779 for the first weekend and $679 for the second. VIP tickets are $1,399 for Weekend 1 and $1,199 for Weekend 2. Hotel packages that include GA or VIP passes and shuttle services are also available, with prices varying based on the hotel and duration of stay.

Lastly, Valley Music Travel offers hotel packages that bundle festival access with accommodations and shuttle passes. For example, a three-night stay at the Residence Inn for two people costs $1,724.74 per person, while a four-night stay is $2,059.49 per person. These packages provide a convenient way to manage the costs associated with attending Coachella.

Coachella Ticket Prices

Securing festival passes is the critical first step for your Coachella trip, and the biggest upfront cost. Here’s what to expect for ticket pricing and packages:

Comparing General Admission vs. VIP Passes

There are two main tiers of Coachella passes:

• General Admission (GA) – Basic festival access with entry to all music stages and activities. Ability to camp on-site. $429-$499
• VIP Pass – Upgraded experience with exclusive VIP areas, shorter lines, lounge access, front-of-stage viewing and more amenities. $929-$999

GA focuses purely on core festival access, while VIP grants premium extras. VIP sells out fastest due to high demand.

Coachella Pass Costs and Fees

Base ticket prices will likely be:

• GA Pass: $429 – $499
• VIP Pass: $929 – $999

Additionally, fees from Ticketmaster and Coachella’s payment plan add more:

• Ticketmaster Fees: Around $40 per pass
• Payment Plan Fees: $59 (GA) or $79 (VIP) spread over installments

All-in costs often reach $600-$1100+ per pass after fees, depending on type.

Purchasing Festival Passes

Coachella passes go on sale in advance exclusively through Ticketmaster. They typically sell out within hours, so early booking is essential.

• Presales: Cheapest ticket prices, limited inventory
• General on-sale: Broad selection, moderate pricing
• Last minute: High demand causes dramatic price hikes

VIP and shuttle bundle tickets go fastest. Book early for the best rates!

Pro Tip: “Watch out for ticket resale scams on sites like Craigslist,” advises Susan Davis, talent booker for Coastal Events. “Only buy from trusted vendors like Ticketmaster to ensure authenticity.”

You might also like our articles about the cost of tickets at the Morrison Planetarium, musicals, or the Masters.

Accommodation Options

Since Coachella happens in the desert, you’ll need to plan lodging for your stay. Here are some of the top options, along with estimated price ranges:

On-Site Camping: The Budget-Friendly Choice

Camping on-site at the festival is the most affordable and convenient option:

• Car Camping: Camp beside your car. $102 per slot
• Tent Camping: Pitch a tent on foot. $102 per slot
• Preferred Car Camping: Closer car camping. $292 per slot
• Lake Eldorado: Upscale pre-set tents. $2,998-$9,668 per tent

With shared camping spots and equipment, prices can be as low as $50 per person. It provides easy 24/7 access to the festival and entertainment until sunrise. Amenities like Showers Pass and the Lockers Zone require small fees.

Off-Site Options: Hotels, Airbnbs, and Resorts

Staying off-site gives more amenities and privacy. Popular options include:

• Hotels in Palm Springs run $150-$400 per night
• Condo/home Airbnb rentals average $100-$300 per person for the weekend
• High-end resorts and glamping camps like Safari Campgrounds can cost $5,000+ for 2 guests.

While pricier, off-site stays include plush beds, air conditioning, pools, and more space. Proximity varies from 5–60-minute drives.

The Most Expensive Option

Without question, the most luxurious (and expensive) lodging choice is the fully-catered high-end glamping camps. Brands like Lake Eldorado and Safari Campgrounds offer pre-set luxury tents with air conditioning, real beds, gourmet food, shuttle service and more – but at a massive premium, starting around $5,000 total for 2 people.

For those seeking a luxury festival experience, these on-site glamping options spare no expense…for those willing to pay top dollar! For the frugal, basic camping or Airbnbs remain the cheapest stays under $300.

Travel Costs – Getting to Indio, California

Since Coachella takes place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, you’ll need to factor in the cost of flights, rental cars, gas or shuttles to get there and back.

Flights and Transportation Options

Most attendees fly into nearby airports like LAX or Palm Springs and use ground transport. Typical costs:

• Roundtrip flights to LAX or Palm Springs from $250 – $500
• Rental cars for the weekend around $200 – $250
• Rideshares like Uber/Lyft cost $100+ each way

Driving your own car is cheaper, but adds gas, tolls, and parking fees.

Shuttle Passes and Parking

Coachella Shuttle passes bundled with tickets provide unlimited rides to/from LAX and major hotels. Other options:

• Shuttle pass only: $75
• Preferred parking: $140
• General parking per day: $25

Shuttles are a stress-free way to get in and out if not camping on-site. Parking passes allow driving/camping with your car.

Budgeting for Your Trip

All said, you should budget $400-$800 in total for flights, transportation, gas, parking and lodging for a party of two. Rental cars, rideshares and glamping can raise this much higher. Factor travel costs early – they add up!

Food, Drinks, and Daily Expenses

Between meals, snacks, alcohol and supplies, your daily spending at Coachella really piles up. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect:

Average Cost of Food and Beverages

With limited options on-site, most food and drinks are expensive:

• Meals at vendors run $15-$20 each
• Drinks like beer, wine, and cocktails cost $10-$18
• Water and soft drinks are $4-$6
• Snacks like pizza, ice cream etc. average $10-$15

Realistically, budget $40-$60 per person for food and drinks each day. Many also bring snacks and canned beer to save money.

Staying Hydrated – What’s Free vs Paid?

Hydration is important in the desert heat – this can impact your costs as well. Here are some tips:

• Free water refill stations are available, if you bring a bottle/bladder
• On-site water bottles, electrolyte drinks etc. are $4-$6 each
• Hydration packs are ideal to carry water during the day

Having your own reusable water container can save $20+ daily compared to buying individual bottles. But free refill points are limited, so some paid water is likely.

Daily Expense	Estimated Cost
Main Meals	$15-$20 per meal
Drinks & Alcohol	$10-$18 each
Snacks & Bites	$5-$15 each
Bottled Water	$4-$6 per bottle
Merchandise	$20-$100+
Lockers & Showers	$5-$15 per use
VIP Upgrades	$50-$500+ per day
Miscellaneous	$5-$50
Total Per Person	$100-$300+

Extras and Hidden Costs

Aside from the major costs above, many smaller expenses pop up that can impact your budget. Be ready for:

Merchandise and Souvenirs

From shirts to hats to hoodies, official Coachella merch is plentiful. Prices typically are:

• T-Shirts: $35-$60
• Hats: $35-$55
• Hoodies: $75-$130
• Posters: $55
• Other items like blankets, water bottles etc. $15-$150

It’s easy to drop $200-$300+ at the merch booths! Beyond that, ice cream shops, photo booths and others provide opportunities for impulse purchases.

Add-On Amenities

A few extra services on-site come with fees, like:

• Locker rental: $10-$15 per day
• Showers: $7-$10 for hot showers and changing rooms
• Portable chargers: $15-$20 phone charge-ups
• VIP Lounge Day passes: $300+ for temporary VIP access

While optional, these amenities add $40-$75+ per day for convenience. Be aware of these upcharges as you enjoy the festival.

Sample Budgets

Accounting for all major expenses, here is an overview of estimated budgets for different Coachella trip scenarios:

Thrifty Coachella Weekend ($1,000 – $1,500)

• General Admission pass
• Tent camping on-site
• Pack own food and drinks
• Share rides with others
• Minimal extras or upgrades

Mid-Tier Experience ($2,000 – $3,000)

• VIP pass
• Glamping or vacation rental lodging
• Rental car or shuttle transit
• Vendor meals and drinks
• Some upgrades and merch

Luxe VIP Coachella ($4,000 – $10,000+)

• Safari glamping tent package
• VIP amenities and add-ons
• Chartered air transportation
• Lavish dining and drinks
• Spa services, exclusive lounges
• Tons of merch and souvenirs
• Top-tier everything!

As shown, costs can range widely based on the extras you desire. With smart planning, even VIP-style Coachella trips can cost under $5,000 per person all-in.

Cost-Saving Tips

If you’re looking to lower your Coachella costs, here are 11 handy budget tips:

• Book early – Prices rise for tickets, travel and lodging closer to the festival
• Camp on-site – Dramatically reduces lodging costs
• Share rental houses – Splits costs with a group across Airbnbs
• Use group rental cars – Lowers transit costs
• Take shuttles – Avoids hiring rideshares or taxis
• BYO food/drinks – Skipping vendors saves a bundle
• Refill water free – Bring reusable bottles and hydration packs
• Set firm merch limits – It’s easy to overspend on impulse
• Skip upgrades – From showers to lounges, those extras add up
• Watch for ticket scams – Only buy from trusted vendors
• Purchase ticket insurance – Provides refunds for covered situations

Saving where you can makes a big difference. But focus most on securing tickets and passes early.

Is Coachella Worth the Price?

With so many costs and considerations, a natural question arises – is the hefty price tag of Coachella truly worth it?

While not cheap, many festivalgoers feel the experience makes it worthwhile:

• Once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy iconic bands and top-tier artists
• Being part of the buzzing festival culture and community
• Epic memories to last a lifetime from the music, art, scenes and vibes
• Bragging rights of attending one of the world’s premier music events

For many music fans, it’s a bucket-list event that creates memories that can’t be replicated anywhere else. That said, know what you’re getting into and set a budget to protect your finances.

A luxury VIP experience costs a lot more, but for casual fans, even General Admission weekend can be done affordably following proper budgeting.

Final Words

Attending Coachella does come with significant costs when factoring the festival passes, travel, lodging, food, merchandise and more. But with proper planning, even luxury VIP experiences can be enjoyed on budgets under $5,000 per person.

The key is setting priorities around the experience you want, then allocating budget to match. Camping with General Admission tickets provides an economical route. For extravagant extras, VIP upgrades and glamping push costs higher, but offer enhanced amenities and access.

One thing is certain – Coachella will be a weekend you never forget. So, choose the options that best fit your budget, and start getting ready for an epic desert party like no other!

Answers to Common Questions

Do you need an ID for Coachella?

Yes, you will need a valid photo ID like a driver’s license, passport or military ID to pick up Coachella wristbands on site or gain entry to the festival. The name on your ID must match the ticket purchaser’s name for verification. Scannable paper tickets are no longer issued, so ID is essential for will call pickup and festival access. Be sure to bring it with you!

What happens if I lost my Coachella wristband?

If you lose your Coachella wristband before or during the festival, immediately visit an on-site Box Office. You will need to present valid photo ID that matches the ticket purchase to get your wristband deactivated and reissued. A replacement fee of $100 per pass will be charged for this service. Damaged, stolen or counterfeit wristbands also must be reported as soon as possible to avoid issues entering.

Can I shower at Coachella?

Yes, shower services can be purchased at the festival’s Showers Pass facility, which provides trailers with private hot showers, bathroom stalls and changing areas. They operate from 7am to 7pm daily, and cost $7 for women and $10 for men. Separate from that, free basic portable restrooms are located throughout the campgrounds. For a refreshing shower and climate control, upgrade to the Showers Pass.