Every year, over 250,000 people flock to the Empire Polo Club in sunny Indio California for the Coachella Festival. While the music and art takes center stage, it’s important to consider how all the attendees got there. A good portion of them fly in from all over the United States, with many of them landing at the LAX airport in Los Angeles. This makes getting a Coachella car rental essential for attending the festival. Here are six things you should consider when renting a car to go to Coachella or any music festival.
Book Ahead of Time
To get the best deal, you’ll want to book well ahead of time. It’s a good rule of thumb to reserve your Coachella car rental at least a month before your pickup date. That way you’ll have the largest selection of vehicles, and often the best rates. Also, if plans change, you’ll have more than enough time to make arrangements with your rental agency. Booking at the last minute is stressful anyways, and you wouldn’t want anything to get in the way of enjoying the music festival.
Get Insurance
You never know what’s going to happen when you go to a big fair or festival. There’s a lot going on, so it’s better to err on the side of caution. Parking lot fender-benders can ruin your Coachella experience and cost a lot out of pocket if you don’t have the correct coverage. A Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) will release you from liability for any damage done to the vehicle in an accident. Also consider insuring your personal effects that might be left in the vehicle. While there are security at festivals, they can’t be everywhere at once.
Clean The Car Before Returning
Coachella car rental veterans know how dirty your car can get after just a few days at the music fest. Sand, dirt, and mud are all present from the moment you arrive, and will continue to cover everything until you leave. Instead of having to deal with extra car-cleaning fees, take the matter into your own hands. Pull into an inexpensive car wash right after you leave. Most car washes have quarter-operated vacuum cleaners for the interior. An automatic car wash for the exterior should do the trick as well.
Get The Right Type of Vehicle
If you’re going by yourself or with just a few friends, it’s a good idea to get a sedan or SUV. An SUV will have more space for your things and can comfortably sit four people. If you’re carpooling with a lot of people, a large SUV with seating for 6+ or a van might be your best bet. You could always go the extra mile and hire a party bus for the whole weekend. You’d certainly have enough space for all your friends and possessions.
Split The Bill
If you’re using your Coachella car rental to transport your friends, it’s a good idea to split the bill with them. This will help alleviate the financial stress of arranging transportation for the festival. If many people can chip in, you also have a lot more options for vehicles. It’s easier to get exactly what you need when you have a bit more of a budget. Consider having them contribute for other expenses as well. Gas, food, and entertainment add up to a whole lot.
Pack The Essentials
While there are options for food and water at Coachella, they cost an arm and a leg. It’s better to bring a large package of waters that you can store in your vehicle and grab later on. Along with lots of water, it’s a good idea to bring sunglasses and sunscreen. It can get very hot out there and it’s important to keep from getting sunburned, or getting sun-sick. You’re going to want to stay mobile, so don’t pack too much. A backpack and fanny pack should be able to store all your provisions for a day or two.
Looking For Coachella Car Rental in Los Angeles or Pasadena?
Value Rental Car offers clean and affordable rental cars for local driving in Los Angeles and Pasadena, with complimentary pickup and drop off service within seven miles of our two locations. If you’re a college student, we want to help you get on the road. We rent to drivers under the age of 21, and we offer cash and debit card car rentals. Check out some of our other articles to learn more about how car rental works!