Major city · United States
Indian Wells
Skip Indian Wells unless you are staying at a resort or playing a tournament: one night or a day-trip from Palm Springs for golf and spa.
Indian Wells is a small, wealthy desert city in Riverside County, best known for the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament and a cluster of luxury golf resorts. Outside tournament weeks, the town is quiet and walkable only along the resort-lined Indian Wells Lane. Most travellers use it as a one-night resort stop or a half-day side trip from Palm Springs or Palm Desert.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–May
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat)
- Airports
- PSP · UDD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Indian Wells911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Indian Wells, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; the main risks are heat and sun exposure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPSP Palm Springs International Airport (About 20 min drive; rental cars and taxis available.).
- Getting aroundA car is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–6
- Sit-down mealLunch at a resort restaurant$20–35
- Budget bedResort double room, a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedResort double room, a night, per roomUS$350
- High-end bedResort double room, a night, per roomUS$600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$150 · Mid US$300 · High US$500
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PSP Palm Springs International Airport (About 20 min drive; rental cars and taxis available.) · UDD Bermuda Dunes Airport (Private aircraft only; charter services available.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–May. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jan (4 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Indian Wells: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
4 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jun
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is essential. The city has no public transit; taxis and ride-hailing are available but limited. Biking is possible on resort grounds.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 25 min
Car via CA-111, about 20 min
Downtown, aerial tramway and architecture tours.
Door to door: About 15 min
Car via CA-111, about 10 min
Shopping on El Paseo and the Living Desert Zoo.
Door to door: About 15 min
Car via CA-111, about 10 min
Coachella and Stagecoach festival grounds; date farms.
Joshua Tree National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car via I-10, about 45 min
Full day; enter from the south entrance near Indio.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Indian Wells Lane
Resort row: Hyatt, Renaissance, Miramonte and others. Walkable between resorts but a car needed for anything else.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- $250–400 excl. bed
- High
- $400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Resort double room1 × 1 night × US$350 | US$350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$300 | US$600 |
| Rental car, one day (economy)2 × US$50 · check | US$100 |
| Green fee, one round (mid-range course)2 × US$150 · check | US$300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$135 |
| Trip total≈ US$743 per person per day, bed included | US$1,485 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–6 |
| Lunch at a resort restaurant | $20–35 |
| Dinner at a resort restaurant | $40–80 |
| Green fee, one roundcheck | $100–250 |
| BNP Paribas Open ticket (grounds pass)check | $50–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F); plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.Summer temperatures exceed 104°F (40°C); plan outdoor activities for early morning or evening.
- The BNP Paribas Open sells out weeks ahead; buy tickets and book accommodation early if visiting in March.
- Restaurants and shops close early outside tournament season; check hours ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Indian WellsIndian Wells
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Palm Springs Airport → Indian Wells: about $30–50 by taxi or ride-hail, about 20 min (check)
- Indian Wells → Palm Springs downtown: about $25–40 by taxi or ride-hail, about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
English is universal; no local phrase needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Indian Wells. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–May · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Indian Wells
Loading…
Was this useful?