Coachella Cost: Prices, Fees & Ways to Save

Coachella is a three-day festival held over two April weekends in the Coachella Valley, California, with the same lineup each weekend. The price you pay depends on three choices: which pass type you want, which weekend you attend, and how early you buy.

Passes are released in sales tiers. Each tier gives the same access and perks, and only the price changes. When one tier sells out, the next opens at a higher price, so buying early is the main way to save. The figures here are advance-sale prices that include service fees, and later tiers may cost more.

General admission is the standard pass. It covers all three days and access to the general camping areas, though camping itself is a separate purchase. Weekend 1 runs $599 – $699, while weekend 2 runs $549 – $649, so the second weekend is the cheaper way in at each tier.

VIP passes cost roughly double. Weekend 1 VIP runs $1,299 – $1,399 and weekend 2 runs $1,249 – $1,349. VIP adds dedicated entry and exit lanes, access to preferred parking, enclosed VIP areas near the main stages, air-conditioned restrooms, shaded seating, and no-host bars. It does not guarantee pit access to any stage.

Both weekends feature the same headliners and core lineup. The difference for your budget is the ticket price. Weekend 2 passes cost less at every tier. If you want the lower price, weekend 2 is the straightforward choice; if you prefer the first weekend, expect to pay more for it.

Two bundles can lower the per-person cost:

• GA plus shuttle. A general admission pass bundled with a three-day shuttle pass runs $729 – $829 for weekend 1. The bundle is cheaper than buying the two separately.
• GA 4-pack. Four general admission passes bought together cost less per pass than a single pass. For weekend 1, the per-pass price is $589 – $639, and only the first two tiers are offered in the 4-pack.

Every pass type has a payment plan option with a small down payment at checkout, then equal payments afterward. A plan spreads the cost out but does not reduce it.

Tickets are only part of the bill. Getting to the festival and staying nearby often add several hundred dollars per person.

The shuttle pass covers round-trip transportation from participating stops. Preferred parking gives access to the venue through the north entrance for the full weekend. Camping prices in the table are totals for the festival's camping nights, and they cover the camping product only. A general admission or VIP pass is still required to enter.

Companion parking is for extra vehicles that belong to campers. Premium camping options, such as private pre-set tents with beds, cost considerably more than car camping, so check the official site for the full list and current pricing.

Beyond the line items above, plan for these costs:

• Lodging. If you skip on-site camping, hotels and short-term rentals around Indio and Palm Springs tend to get expensive around festival weekends. Book early.
• Food and drinks. Festival vendors set their own prices. Check the official site for the current water and outside-food rules.
• Travel. Flights into Palm Springs or Los Angeles, rental cars, or rideshares.
• Lockers. General admission lockers can be reserved online for the festival, and the fee is listed above. A small refundable deposit applies to the lock.

Buy through the official Coachella site, which links to the authorized ticketing partner. If you cannot attend, check the official site for the transfer options the ticketing partner allows before you hand a pass to anyone.

Watch for the on-sale dates on the official site. Advance sales for a given year begin well before the festival, and each tier opens at a higher price once the previous one sells out.

• Buy in the first tier. The lowest price goes to the earliest buyers.
• Pick weekend 2. It costs less at each tier.
• Use the 4-pack. The per-pass price drops when four people buy together.
• Bundle the shuttle instead of buying it separately, if you plan to use it.
• Share a camping setup. Car camping costs are per vehicle spot, so splitting them lowers the cost per person.