Palm Springs

The questions people ask first about Palm Springs, 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
• SafetyA small, low-crime resort city; the real risks are summer heat, canyon trails with no shade and no water, and mountain roads in winter.

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–7
• Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$20–40
• BeerDraught beer$7–12
• Metro or bus rideAerial Tramway adult ticket$26
• Museum or sight ticketIndian Canyons entry$12–15 per adult (check)
• Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$60
• Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$200
• High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$380

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$180 · High US$350

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

PSP Palm Springs International Airport (In town, about 10 min from downtown; year-round western hubs plus seasonal US and Canada routes. SunLine bus 24 runs to downtown from Civic Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way, one block west of the terminal.) · ONT Ontario International Airport (About 110 km (68 mi) west along I-10; many more connections. Most travellers rent a car here and drive in.)PSP Palm Springs International Airport (In town, about 10 min from downtown; year-round western hubs plus seasonal US and Canada routes. SunLine bus 24 runs to downtown from Civic Drive and Tahquitz Canyon Way, one block west of the terminal.) · ONT Ontario International Airport (About 68 mi (110 km) west along I-10; many more connections. Most travellers rent a car here and drive in.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–150 excl. bed

Mid

$150–280 excl. bed

High

$280+ excl. bed

• Summer heat is the main risk: June–September highs average around 40°C (104°F), and the tramway and canyon trails are the escape, not the midday city.Summer heat is the main risk: June–September highs average around 104°F (40°C), and the tramway and canyon trails are the escape, not the midday city.
• The Aerial Tramway is 10 min by car from the visitor centre and there is no shuttle; the valley station sits at the end of Tramway Road.
• Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon are tribal land with entry fees and posted hours; check before driving out.
• Downtown parking is free in city lots except Thursday–Saturday nights.
• The Amtrak platform on North Indian Canyon Drive is an open stop with no building and no local bus; taxis to the airport run about $40–50.