Coachella festival-goers spend hundreds to skip entry chaos as many demand refunds
Music lovers attending Coachella are ditching the car journey for quicker travel options, as they look to avoid the hours-long delays, but these options come with a hefty price tag
Music enthusiasts, desperate to avoid the notorious traffic snarls on their way to Coachella, are digging deep into their pockets for a faster alternative.
As the world-famous music and arts festival draws millions to the notoriously congested California valley, some attendees are opting to swap the bumper-to-bumper car journey for a quicker - albeit pricier - solution. The festival has already been branded "the worst in history," as visitors complain of parking woes and agonizing waits before even getting to their campsite.
One frustrated Reddit user shared their experience. "Guys, this is my fifth Coachella, and I had never seen such horrible organization for car camping. I've been here hours, just crossed the security check and literally no one is moving," they said, repeating widespread annoyance with the situation. However, the convenient alternative comes with a hefty price tag.
In an attempt to bypass the grueling wait, some festival-goers are shelling out between $200 and $800 for faster travel options, reports the Mail. Among these, semi-private US airline JSX has launched a range of premium flights catering to Coachella-bound travelers eager to dodge the road delays.
The flight from Burbank, California, to Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport - a mere seven miles from the festival site - kicks off at roughly $500 for a one-way ticket and takes less than one hour. Those who opt for this luxury route can arrive just 20 minutes before departure and relish in a 30-seat jet experience, even bringing along pets for an additional fee, JSX spokesperson Ben Kaufman said.
The airline is also providing return flights post-festival, commencing April 20, with fares starting from $295, as reported by SFGate. However, the much-anticipated festival has already sparked early disappointment.
One user shared a message from a fellow camper stuck in the mayhem, "Hearing lots of reports of Coachella getting off to a rough start for campers today - some have waited as long as 12+ hours to reach a campsite, including one person who sent the DM below."
A livid festival-goer delivered a scathing message regarding their experience, stating, "Not only did we show up at 2am to get in line to get a good spot, but now have waited OVER 12 hours to even get to the security check. No porta potties in sight as we waited from 2am until 3pm now.
"The only porta potties available were at the security checkpoint inside the gates. We were turned down all 12 hours and were forced to pee on the side of the roads. A lot of people running out of gas and not restrooms. This is the worst organization I have ever seen at a festival and this is Coachella for god sakes."
A disgruntled post read, "Car campers need either a partial or full refund. We've waited nine hours to get inside this festival. No bathroom, no food. Likely won't be returning."
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