Getting to Palm Springs: Open-Air PSP Airport (5 Mins from Downtown), Ontario (ONT) & LA Drive

Flying straight into town or driving from Southern California's coast, reaching Palm Springs is simple, and its local airport is consistently ranked by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the most stress-free airports in the United States. Once you arrive, see how to get around Palm Springs.

1. Option A: Fly Into 'Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)' (5 Mins from Downtown)

Unlike airports far outside the city, PSP Airport sits 3.2 kilometres (5 to 8 minutes) east of Downtown Palm Canyon Drive. Served by over a dozen airlines (Alaska, United, American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, Air Canada, WestJet and Porter) with nonstop flights from 30+ hubs in winter and spring (plus year-round connections via SFO, LAX, DEN, PHX, DFW and SEA), PSP feels like a resort:

• Open-Air Garden Walkways: past security inside Donald Wexler's 1966 Mid-Century Modern main terminal, you walk outdoors along landscaped courtyards with grassy lawns, misting fans, fire pits and outdoor bars.
• 8 Minutes to Your Hotel Pool: car hire desks sit steps from Baggage Claim (with vehicles parked right outside), while an Uber, Lyft or taxi to Downtown takes 6 to 8 minutes, or you can board SunLine Bus Route #2 outside the terminal.

2. Option B: Flying Into 'Ontario Airport (ONT, 1 Hour West)' vs LAX, SNA & SAN

If PSP flights are expensive for your dates, avoid flying automatically into busy LAX on the western coast of Los Angeles (adding 90 minutes of urban freeway traffic). Compare these closer airports:

1. 'Ontario International Airport (ONT)' (108 km West, 65 Mins Down I-10): on the eastern edge of Greater LA; exit the car hire lot onto Interstate 10 East and reach Palm Springs in 65 minutes without central LA traffic.
2. John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA, 1 Hour 45 Mins via Hwy 91 & I-10) & San Diego Airport (SAN, 2 Hours 15 Mins via I-15 & Scenic Hwy 74).
3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX, 195 km / 2 to 3.5 Hours): depart before midday, or take the FlixBus coach or Amtrak Thruway Bus from Los Angeles Union Station.