Town in California, United States
Palm Springs
Mid-century desert resort town with pools, spas, hikes and one of America's best LGBTQ+ scenes. Perfect in winter and spring; extremely hot in summer, and you need a car.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$3,500–5,200Comfortable, one person · $3,500–5,200Details
- Value for money14/100Better value than 13% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–AprWarmest: Jul, 43°CDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$150–300Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless almost everywhere.Details
Where to stay in Palm Springs
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown Palm Springs and Uptown Design District | Walkable restaurants, shops, nightlife and mid-century hotels |
| Warm Sands and Arenas Road | LGBTQ+ friendly guesthouses and bars |
| Movie Colony and Old Las Palmas | Quiet, upscale streets near downtown |
| Palm Desert and Cathedral City | Cheaper stays and longer rentals 15–20 min away |
Apps that work in Palm Springs
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Taxis exist but apps are cheaper. Festival weekends bring surge pricing and waits; book a return ride early.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless almost everywhere. Carry small bills for tips and some desert vendors.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in United States
- New York CityCity
- Las VegasCity
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- OrlandoCity
- MiamiCity
- San FranciscoCity
- HonoluluCity
- Washington, D.C.Capital city
Going to Palm Springs solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.