Coachella 2025 attendees report 12-hour delays, lack of facilities, and chaos on opening day

Festivalgoers at Coachella 2025 endure extreme traffic delays, dehydration, and poor communication.

Coachella 2025 kicked off with chaos as festivalgoers reported being stuck in traffic for up to 12 hours while trying to enter the campgrounds. Attendees told Business Insider the experience was far worse than previous years, with no clear communication from organisers, limited restroom access, and some cars running out of gas.

Typically, campers arrive early to secure a spot before the official 9 a.m. opening. According to longtime attendee Hailey Maxwell, gates usually open closer to 3:30 a.m., allowing campers to settle in before sunrise. However, this year, attendees were rerouted without explanation, and traffic control was minimal. Maxwell reported waiting nine hours in her car without reaching the security checkpoint.

The lack of basic facilities added to the frustration. With few restrooms available, some resorted to peeing in cups or between car doors for privacy. Others walked to nearby stores or used delivery apps like DoorDash to get food and water as temperatures climbed. Attendee Kayla Standring described starting “a revolution for the women” after using car doors to shield herself from view.

Communication from Coachella staff was notably absent. Many festivalgoers said they received no updates through the app or from on-site staff. Social media posts from Coachella promoting luxury experiences, like a Nobu omakase, were met with backlash as attendees demanded answers.

Some, like Adam Roberts, compared the disorganised experience to Fyre Festival. “I feel duped,” he said. Although most eventually made it in, the ordeal left many exhausted and disillusioned. “It was truly the worst experience ever,” said Kelly Jensen, who waited 12 hours. “We finally got in, but no one had the energy to set up.”