Transportation for Large Groups in Palm Springs: Move Your Crew

The easiest transportation for large groups in Palm Springs starts with the airport. Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is minutes from The Muse, so most groups fly in, split into rideshares or one hired shuttle, and park the cars for the weekend. If you're booking a full hotel buyout for a large group, you can also add Party on Wheels for the big night out.

How do you get a large group to Palm Springs?

Most groups mix flying and driving. Here's how each option plays out.

• Fly into PSP. It's the closest airport and minutes from the hotel by car. Collect everyone's flight times in one shared note early, because the person landing at 11PM will need a plan.

• Drive from Los Angeles. About two hours without traffic, more on a Friday afternoon. Our Los Angeles to Palm Springs road trip guide has the stops.

• Drive from San Diego. Also about two hours without traffic. See the San Diego to Palm Springs drive.

• Drive from Las Vegas. About four hours. Good for a car of four, rough for a car of seven.

• Take the train. Amtrak's Palm Springs station is north of town off North Indian Canyon Drive, and the long-distance train stops there only a few days a week. Check the schedule and line up a ride from the station before you book.

What's the best way to get from the airport to the hotel?

It depends on how spread out the arrivals are.

• Staggered arrivals: rideshares. Each small cluster grabs an XL car as they land. No one waits two hours at baggage claim for the last flight.

• Everyone on the same flight or two: hire one shuttle or van from a licensed charter company. One vehicle, all the luggage, one group photo at the front door.

• A few guests driving in: have the drivers do one airport loop. Parking is included at The Muse, so the cars can stay put once everyone's here.

Tip from experience: assign one person to own the arrivals sheet. That person is never the bride.

How should a group get around Palm Springs?

Downtown Palm Springs is minutes away by car, so getting around is mostly about who drives and who doesn't.

• Rideshares are the default for dinner downtown and drinks after. Split into cars of four or five and agree on a meeting spot before you leave.

• A hired driver or party bus makes sense for one big night when nobody wants to be the designated driver.

• Party on Wheels is available on full buyouts, so the ride becomes part of the party.

• Bikes are the easy daytime move. Bike rentals are one of our add-ons, made for a ride around town before the heat.

• SunLine buses run local routes through Palm Springs, including along Palm Canyon Drive, if someone in the group loves a budget plan.

How do you plan day trips with a big group?

Joshua Tree and the Coachella Valley festivals both mean a longer drive, so plan vehicles in advance. Rent one or two large SUVs or a passenger van for the day instead of four separate cars, and pick one lead driver with the directions. Our Palm Springs to Joshua Tree guide and the festival commute guide cover timing.

Summer afternoons often top 100 degrees, so keep water in every car and do the driving early.

Group transportation checklist

• Collect flight numbers and arrival times two weeks out.

• Decide who's driving, who's flying and who's in which car.

• Book drivers and shuttles early for festival weekends and Modernism Week, usually in February.

• Share the hotel address in the group chat: 537 S Grenfall Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264.

• Pick a pickup spot and a backup time for every night out.

TAKE OVER THE MUSE

Group transportation FAQ

How far is The Muse from Palm Springs International Airport?

Minutes by car. Most groups take rideshares or one hired shuttle from the airport.

Do we need a car in Palm Springs?

Not necessarily. Rideshares work well for dinner and nights out, and parking is included at The Muse for anyone who drives in.

Is there public transportation in Palm Springs?

Yes. SunLine runs local bus routes through Palm Springs, including along Palm Canyon Drive.

Can we book a party bus through The Muse?

Full buyout groups can add Party on Wheels. Contact us by phone, text or email for details.

Easy to get to. Hard to leave. Send us your dates and your arrival sheet, and we'll see you under the striped awning.