Overview
Ringed by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs is the original American desert escape — all swaying palms, mid-century architecture and year-round sunshine. It's long been a favourite retreat for Hollywood glamour, and today it draws UK travellers for its retro-chic hotels, world-class spas, hiking trails and laid-back pace. There's no direct flight from the UK, but with a well-timed connection, Palm Springs is a very achievable desert break, easily combined with Los Angeles or a wider California road trip.
Best time to fly to Palm Springs
The most popular months to visit are October to May, when daytime temperatures sit comfortably between 20-30°C and the desert light is at its best. February to April is peak season — expect warm, dry days, busy golf courses and the Coachella and Stagecoach festivals in April pushing up demand and fares. Summer (June to September) brings intense heat, often above 40°C, so it's the quietest and cheapest time to fly, suiting travellers happy to spend afternoons by the pool or in air-conditioned spas. For a good balance of pleasant weather and calmer prices, aim for late autumn or early spring — check the price charts on this page to see how fares shift across the year.
Airlines and routes
There are no non-stop flights between the UK and Palm Springs, so the journey involves a connection. The most common routing is a non-stop flight from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Los Angeles (LAX) with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic, taking around 11 hours, followed by a short onward hop of about an hour to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) with a US carrier such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines or Delta. Alternatively, airlines including American, United and Delta connect via their US hubs — Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth or Denver — pairing a transatlantic leg with a domestic connection to PSP. Total journey time typically runs from around 14 to 17 hours including the layover, depending on your routing and connection time.
Things to do in Palm Springs
Palm Springs punches well above its size for things to see and do, from natural wonders to design icons.
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: A rotating cable car that climbs nearly 2,600 metres up Mount San Jacinto in minutes, swapping desert heat for pine forest and mountain views.
- Joshua Tree National Park: A striking desert landscape of boulder fields and twisted Joshua trees, roughly an hour's drive from the city and a must for hikers and stargazers.
- Palm Springs Art Museum: A well-regarded collection spanning modern art, glass and design, with a strong focus on the region's architectural heritage.
- Mid-century modern architecture tours: Guided walks and drives past iconic homes by architects like Richard Neutra and Albert Frey, a signature draw for design fans.
- Indian Canyons: Palm-lined oases and hiking trails on Agua Caliente tribal land, offering a cooler, greener side of the desert just minutes from downtown.
At Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
PSP is refreshingly compact and sits only around 3km from downtown Palm Springs, making it one of the easiest airports to arrive into. Taxis and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft typically take under 10 minutes to reach central hotels, and most major car hire companies operate from the terminal — handy given how spread out the wider Coachella Valley is. There's no direct rail link, so a taxi, rideshare or hire car is the practical choice for onward travel.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Palm Springs
- Book ahead: Fares to Palm Springs, especially around the busy February to April season, tend to firm up closer to departure — booking a couple of months out generally pays off.
- Fly midweek: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend flights, both across the Atlantic and on the connecting US leg.
- Stay flexible on dates: Shifting your trip by even a few days can unlock better fares — use the when to book chart above to spot the cheaper windows.
- Compare routings, not just airlines: Connecting via LAX, Phoenix or Denver can produce very different prices for the same dates, so it's worth comparing a few hub options rather than booking the first one you see.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders travelling to Palm Springs need a valid ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) under the Visa Waiver Program, which should be applied for online in advance of travel and is valid for up to two years. Your passport should be valid for the duration of your stay. The currency is the US Dollar, and cards are widely accepted, though it's worth carrying some cash for smaller purchases. No specific vaccinations are required, but given the intense desert heat outside the cooler months, sun protection and staying well hydrated are essential.
