Coachella has always been a destination for music lovers, but this year, the festival’s notoriously bad traffic is leaving attendees frustrated and scrambling for solutions.
With thousands making their way to the event in California’s Valley, many festival-goers are deciding that avoiding the gridlock is worth the hefty price tag.
Some are even shelling out hundreds of dollars for a faster route—despite it being far from cheap.
Frustration Builds Amidst Hours of Waiting
One festival-goer shared their exasperation on Reddit, revealing that after hours of waiting, they hadn’t even made it past the security check.
“This is my fifth Coachella, and I’ve never seen such horrible organization for car camping. I’ve been here for hours, and literally no one is moving,” they wrote.
Their post reflected a growing sense of frustration that has echoed through social media platforms, with many labeling the event’s chaotic traffic situation as the worst in recent memory.
The Cost of Convenience: Flying Over the Traffic
For those determined to bypass the hours of waiting, a more luxurious—and significantly more expensive—option is available. JSX, a semi-private airline, has launched special flights from Burbank, California, to Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, just a few miles away from Coachella’s grounds.
These flights, which last less than an hour, start at $500 for a one-way trip.
For the price, passengers get a more relaxed experience, including the ability to bring pets (for an extra fee), and the convenience of arriving with just 20 minutes’ notice before takeoff.
Even though the flight might seem pricey, JSX promises a smooth ride in a 30-seat jet, making it an appealing choice for those willing to spend a little extra to avoid the festival’s infamous traffic jams.
After the festival ends on April 20, the airline will also be offering return flights starting at $295.
A Rough Start to the Festival
As much as fans have looked forward to Coachella this year, it’s been anything but smooth sailing.
On social media, some attendees have already declared this year’s event to be a disaster, drawing comparisons to the ill-fated Fyre Festival. Many campers reported waiting up to 12 hours just to reach their campsite.
One attendee shared a message about their ordeal, recounting their frustrations: “We waited from 2 AM to 3 PM with no bathrooms in sight, no food, and no restrooms.
The only porta potties were at the security checkpoint.”
Others on Reddit agreed, calling the experience “chaos” and questioning the event’s organization.
Some attendees even went as far as suggesting that the festival’s planning team should offer personal apologies for the disarray.
Calls for Compensation and Refunds
As frustration continued to mount, some festival-goers demanded action.
One Reddit user suggested that those who had endured the long waits for car camping spots deserve a partial or full refund.
“We’ve waited nine hours to get inside,” they wrote.
“No bathroom, no food. I probably won’t be coming back.” Other commenters joined in, expressing their confusion over the delays and questioning why the festival’s logistics weren’t better organized after so many years.
On Coachella’s official site, the event promotes car camping as a “popular overnight option,” starting at $160 for the weekend.
The site encourages guests to “build an oasis” for themselves and their crew.
But for many, this promise of an ideal camping experience has fallen flat in the face of extended wait times and disorganization.
The Bieber Buzz: Is Justin Ready for a Surprise Coachella Appearance?
In the midst of all the chaos, one thing is clear: fans are still holding out hope for a major surprise.
Many are speculating that pop star Justin Bieber might make an unexpected appearance at this year’s festival.
While he’s never headlined Coachella, Bieber has performed as a special guest four times in the past.
His presence in Palm Springs this week has only fueled these rumors, leaving his fans eager to see if he will once again grace the Coachella stage.
In the face of the traffic nightmare, festival-goers are holding on to the hope that the music and excitement will make up for the stressful journey.