The Most Affordable Places To Stay For Coachella 2024, According To Trusted Booking Sites

Come to Indio most times of the year, and you'll find a calm desert town surrounded by the beauty of Coachella Valley. But during two weekends in April, this part of California draws hundreds of thousands of music-loving people. The Coachella Festival is among the biggest and most famous happenings on the globe. Each year, phenomenal artists descend to the dusty desert grounds of Indio's enormous Empire Polo Club. The 2024 lineup won't be an exception with Lana del Rey, Tyler the Creator, and Doja Cat headlining, No Doubt making a special appearance, and more than 160 other artists performing. The dates to save are the two weekends of April 12-14 and 19-21.

When you go to a music festival frequented by 125,000 people per day, the issue of accommodations is a pressing one. Coachella is not the most budget-friendly event, with a weekend pass starting at $499. Neither is it the most convenient event, hotel-wise. The grounds are far from big cities, and the options are traditionally scarce. 

But worry not. We've selected the most affordable places to stay for Coachella using personal experience, researching booking websites (like Booking.com, Agoda, and Airbnb), and reviewing the experiences of others who've navigated lodging options around the festival. Don't wait to book, though, as the properties go like hot potatoes, and prices rise with lightning speed. All prices in this article indicate the rates, as of this writing, for the second festival weekend (April 19-21), if not written otherwise in the entry.

With many spots going for over $1000 per night, Rodeway Inn Near Coachella still holds the affordability stronghold with a fair $400 for a King Room. The hotel is only three miles from the festival, and you could potentially walk there or, more realistically, take a short Uber ride. Commuting is quite a pain during Coachella, especially if you're staying outside of Indio. Rodeway Inn is a good combination of a not-so-far location with a more-than-attractive price point.

As for the accommodation itself, it's a classic, no-frills roadside motel with simple rooms equipped with LCD TVs and fridges. It's certainly not a luxurious property, but when you simply need a bed to crash after sweaty and dusty dancing, raving, and screaming, it suffices. Relative proximity to the grounds is also a huge plus that gives you a "Plan B" if Uber, Lyft, and other ridesharing options aren't available, which can happen at festivals like Coachella.

Available for both weekends (at the time of writing), this studio apartment Airbnb provides a nice balance between cost and convenience. While $450 per night is far from cheap, it's an extremely good deal for Coachella, and you're getting a fully furnished studio that can accommodate up to four people. If you're a group of friends, sharing costs will work like a charm. Its location is also important. The apartment is located next to one of the stops of the shuttle service. That means less headache commuting to and from Coachella and the certainty of reaching your accommodations after the music ends.

Speaking of the shuttle, the service costs $120 per weekend and is provided by Any Line Shuttle. You can also buy it in a bundle with the festival pass for $599. While it may sound like a lot for transportation, it can give you great value and peace of mind. According to two festivalgoers on Reddit and a 2023 article by Business Insider, taxis at Coachella can be an overpriced nightmare. With the shuttle, you have a guaranteed ride with a guaranteed price.

With Omni, you're on the pricier side of the Coachella accommodation spectrum, but considering that we're talking about one of the best Palm Springs resorts, $730 per night doesn't sound that bad. Let's say, it's among the most affordable luxury options. Or, at least, you'll spend your money on something pretty chic for a festival stay. Rooms feature elegant, marble-clad Spanish-inspired interiors, garden vistas, and plenty of space. The real deal at Omni is its two-acre water park that boasts tall waterslides and even packs a lazy river into the experience.

This place is not only a fair-priced luxurious resort; it's also one of the stops of the Coachella shuttle. This will work perfectly for the festival commute. The hotel is convenient if you're in a car, too, as the festival grounds are 20 minutes away. If you're bringing your own car, be aware that while parking is free at Coachella, it works on a first-come, first-served basis. In practice, it means that the later you come, the further you'll park. You just don't want to walk in circles after 2 a.m. trying to find your ride. Get to the lot early to secure a nice spot.

Book through the official Hilton website and get a good deal of $575 per night (or even $535 if you register for the Honors program) to stay at this Homewood Suites in Cathedral City-Palm Springs. While this hotel is on the further side of Palm Springs, you're getting the classy comforts of Hilton's Homewood Suites brand. Choose this option only if you're in a car, though. Without the personal ride, it isn't worth the hassle. However, you will be staying in a classy, dark-toned suite with a fully equipped kitchen area, spacious layout, and an extra sofa. Breakfast is included in the price.

Commuting to Coachella won't be much of a problem from this Hilton. While it may seem far, the proximity to Interstate 10 allows you to escape the traffic jams of California State Route 111. This is the route that the majority of festivalgoers are going to take connecting Palm Springs and Indio. After a 20- to 30-minute drive (depending on traffic), you'll enjoy the desert allure of one of the most interesting music happenings in the world.

Two things worth mentioning when it comes to Best Western Inn at Palm Springs. First of all, the price is average for a Coachella weekend, with a $494 rate for a King Room. Plus, if you're a group of four, the double room will cost you just $132 per person, which is not bad at all. This brings us to advantage number two. This Best Western Inn is easily accessible by the bus shuttle and provides a great base for commuting to the festival.

As for the amenities, don't expect more than a classic Best Western. It's a budget hotel, after all. The rooms are quite unpretentious, but if your plan is to go to the festival and back to the hotel to sleep, Best Western Inn at Palm Springs is a top choice. Proximity to downtown Palm Springs is another huge plus, as this desert town is a cinematic revelation. Wi-Fi comes free of charge, and the continental breakfast is complimentary.

Stylish stay aficionados would be delighted to find La Maison. With a price point of $627 per night during the festival weekend, you're getting a five-star boutique Palm Springs escape. While certainly not a small sum, booking here seems like a much wiser investment than, say, a similarly priced one-star motel near Indio (Motel 6, we're looking at you). At least, you can be sure that you're getting a five-star service, a spacious, light-filled room, and an inspiring garden courtyard with a pool.

Also, La Maison is definitely not a sleep-and-run kind of property; it's designed to be savored. You've got an elegant outdoor area that comes with a fire pit, a swimming pool, and loungers. There's an outdoor bar, too, adding to the level of effortless fanciness. And, you will have a hard time finding a better-reviewed boutique hotel in the whole of Palm Springs, 9.6 out of 10 after almost 300 reviews on Booking is an impressive number.

It's an amalgam of advantages at 7 Springs Inn & Suites. The hotel is set close to both downtown Palm Springs and the Convention Center (where the bus shuttle departs and arrives). Choosing to stay here is a strategic decision that will save you nerves, time, and money, too. The cost of $628 per night is the average you'd pay for a three-star hotel near Coachella, so it seems fair for the conditions you get.

Don't get us wrong. It's completely overpriced, but that's a reality of coming to a festival with hundreds of thousands of attendees. At least in the case of 7 Springs Inn & Suites, you're putting your money for a good spot, in terms of both quality and location. Rooms sport stylish decor, there's a hot tub outside, and parking is free. That's more than enough for catching that elusive Coachella desert vibe and spending your nights with added comfort.