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How to Get from Palm Springs Airport to Downtown

Palm Springs is a desert resort city in California with warm and sunny weather, combining a luxurious lifestyle with natural beauty. Palm Springs offer multiple activities and to enjoy as much as you can during your trip, it’s best to be prepared on how to get from Palm Springs Airport to downtown.

You can easily reach your accommodation downtown either by taking an airport taxi or the local bus. Getting an airport taxi from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs or pre-booking a personalised transfer is the fastest and most comfortable choice; the ride takes about 7 minutes and the average fare is around $12 (€11.15). Another good transportation option is one of the local buses connecting Palm Springs to downtown. There are two routes that depart from Palm Springs Airport; the trip with routes 2 and 4 takes about 15 minutes and a single adult fare costs $1 (€0.93).

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Palm Springs at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €11.15 7min 24/7
Bus €1.86 15min 05:44–21:46

How to get from Palm Springs Airport to downtown by taxi

The fastest and most comfortable option to get from Palm Springs Airport to downtown is by taking an airport taxi. No matter what time your flight lands at PSP, you can hop in a cab and reach your accommodation downtown directly in about 7 minutes. A standard taxi for up to 4 passengers will cost on average $12 (€11.15), depending on the operator; consider pre-booking your personalised airport transfer to ensure a fixed, competitive rate.

What's the cost of a taxi from Palm Springs Airport to downtown?

The official local taxis usually don’t operate with fixed fares but use a taximeter to calculate the trip’s cost based on the distance driven instead. Depending on the operator, you might come across different rates and surcharges but the average fare for a taxi from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs for up to 4 passengers is about $12 (€11.15).

Cost

$12

Trip Duration

7 min

The total fare may differ depending on the operator you choose. To secure a fixed rate it's best to pre-book your airport taxi.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Palm Springs Airport for on-demand service.

Where do I get a taxi from?

You’ll find taxis available at Palm Springs Airport 24/7, ready for on-demand service. The taxi rank is located on the Arrivals level, as soon as you exit the main terminal building. Make sure to choose an official taxi provider to ensure quality service and avoid being overcharged.

Convenience

An airport transfer from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs is the most convenient transportation option in terms of speed and comfort. The fare is reasonable, making it affordable even if you’re travelling on a budget, especially if you prefer a private and direct ride to your accommodation. For an even smoother experience, you can pre-book your Palm Springs Airport transfer to ensure a competitive all-inclusive rate and professional door-to-door service.

Editor’s Note

Taking an airport taxi is the best choice for larger groups that can split the cost. If you're travelling alone or you simply wish to spend less on transportation, you can take the local bus instead.

Useful Tips

Not all taxis in Palm Springs accept card payments, so make sure to carry a few dollars on you; the smallest the note the better.
If the operator you choose uses a taximeter to calculate the fare, ensure it's turned on and reset to the base fare as you begin your trip.
Tipping your driver around 15% of the total fare is expected in Palm Springs.
If possible, ask for a receipt at the end of the ride; this will help you in case you forget any personal items behind.

How to get from Palm Springs Airport to downtown by bus

A good transportation option from Palm Springs Airport to downtown is the bus. There are two routes that depart from Palm Springs Airport and connect it to the downtown area; routes 2 and 4 from El Cielo at Kirk Douglas to Tahquitz Canyon at Calle Encilia. The trip by bus takes about 15 minutes and a single adult fare costs $1 (€0.93).

How much is the bus fare from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs?

A single adult bus fare for routes 2 and 4 from Palm Springs Airport to downtown costs $1 (€0.93). If you plan to use the bus as your main transportation option during your stay, it’s worth purchasing a pass.

Cost

$1

Trip Duration

15 min

The bus fare is per traveller, for a single route.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Bus lines 2 and 4 depart around every 30 minutes from the airport from 05:44 until 21:46.

Where do I take the bus from?

You can take bus lines 2 or 4 either from El Cielo at Kirk Douglas bus stop, which is closer and on your left as you exit the terminal building, or from the Palm Springs Airport bus stop, which is about a 10-minute walk on your right.

Convenience

Taking one of the public bus routes from Palm Springs Airport to downtown is a convenient option to reach your accommodation in terms of cost and speed. If you’re carrying many pieces of luggage or you’re travelling with young children though, keep in mind that the bus is a popular option and it can get crowded during peak hours. In that case, you might be more comfortable travelling in a local airport taxi or even booking a personalised transfer ahead of time.

Editor’s Note

If you're travelling alone or on a tight budget, taking the bus is by far the cheapest option to reach downtown Palm Springs. On the other hand, for larger groups that can split the cost or if you're carrying multiple pieces of luggage, it's worth taking an airport taxi instead; you'll be much more comfortable and you’ll reach your destination directly.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket on the bus in cash; make sure to have the exact fare as the driver can't provide any change. Alternatively, you can also make a contactless payment through the Token Transit application on your mobile.
Up to 2 children of 4 years old or younger can accompany each paying adult for free.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Palm Springs Airport to downtown?

Getting from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs is possible either by taxi or bus. An airport taxi will take you there in about 7 minutes for $12 (€11.15). If you prefer to use the bus, you can use lines 2 or 4, which take about 15 minutes to reach downtown Palm Springs; a single bus trip costs $1 (€0.93) per traveller.

What’s the cost of a shuttle from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs?

Most of the local airport taxis don’t operate with fixed fares but use a taximeter to calculate the trip’s cost, based on the distance driven, instead. You might come across different rates from one operator to the next but the average fare from Palm Springs Airport to downtown for up to 4 passengers is about $12 (€11.15).

What’s the distance from Palm Springs Airport to downtown?

The distance from Palm Springs Airport to downtown Palm Springs is approximately 4 kilometres; getting there by taxi or private transfer takes about 7 minutes in light traffic.

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