Coachella returns to the California desert this Saturday as weekend one of the two-weekend festival gets underway — and seasoned attendees have been sharing the kind of insider advice that can make a first trip far easier.
Fans who’ve previously made the pilgrimage to catch major sets from artists like Lady Gaga, Charli xcx and Lana Del Rey have been passing on their “gold-dust” know-how — from locating better toilets to knowing which areas are truly worth the walk.
Among the most useful pointers: where to find air-conditioned bathrooms, why Sahara Hill is a must, and the case for spending less time glued to your screen.
Huge crowds are expected to arrive on April 10, with passes still changing hands on resale platforms such as StubHub and TicketNetwork — and some listings reportedly pushing beyond $1,000.
That’s before accommodation, which can range from around $549 to more than $1,700, plus the extra spend on food and drinks once you’re in.
In an effort to help newcomers actually feel prepared, one Reddit user posted in the r/Coachella community under the heading ‘Tips I wish I knew’, writing:
“Almost every Coachella tips post online says the same stuff: stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen.
“And while I agree those are important, I needed some real, small hacks for my first time at this iconic festival. So here are some things I learned from my first Coachella experience.”
Standard essentials still apply — electrolyte tablets, blister plasters, sunscreen, and a phone strap can all save your day — but their post also focused on smaller, less-obvious wins that people don’t always mention.
“The bathrooms closer to Do LaB are actual bathrooms. Not porta-potties. They were letting GA into one of the Quasar stage platforms until capacity. Uber at Coachella is a nightmare.
“The Sahara hill… that’s it. That’s the tip.The iced coffee inside the festival is actually fire. Go to a sunset set in Quasar.
“If you’re into house and techno like me, Yuma will grab the f**k out of you, and she will NOT let you go.
“All the way in the end of the porta-potties you might find bathrooms with a/c. Gold-star discovery.
“Most important tip: enjoy the festival with your eyes and body, not through your phone. You can always ask your friends for videos later.”
Other festival-goers chimed in with security-minded advice, especially around busy exits and tightly packed stages:
Another added: “Buy a wrist strap for your phone or a cross body bag with a pocket facing your chest. Don’t ever place your phone in your pocket when moving through crowds or exiting the stages.”
And for anyone battling the daytime heat — particularly campers — one commenter recommended a simple way to cool down fast:
A third offered: “Wet bandana = portable AC. Use your cooler water to get your bandana ice cold.
“If you’re camping take a shower between 3 – 5pm, stay wet, and walk back to your campsite in the least amount of clothes you feel comfortable in. The water acts like AC and keeps you cool, you’re fresh before the day transitions to night, and you’re refreshed before your evening extracurriculars.”
Coachella runs across two weekends — April 10 and April 18 — and attendees this year can expect headliners Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Karol G.
If that top-line trio isn’t your dream bill, the wider lineup still includes plenty of draw: the Strokes, Nine Inch Noize, David Byrne, Iggy Pop, Disclosure, Young Thug, Addison Rae, Labrinth, Teddy Swims, Moby, Wet Leg, Little Simz, Major Lazer, FKA Twigs, and PinkPantheress, among many others.
With official passes sold out, last-minute tickets are still available through resale marketplaces. Weekend passes on StubHub reportedly start at $1,500, while SeatGeek has listed weekend two from $1,000. TicketNetwork is also listing weekend two from $1,400, or around $3,000 for this weekend.
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