Overflow Lot

$18 daily beats the $26 main lot if you’re long-staying

The Overflow Lot on Kirk Douglas Way is the budget play at Palm Springs International Airport when the main lot fills up, especially around Coachella and holidays. It’s a long-stay setup with a posted daily max of $18.00, under the main lot’s $26 rate, so the savings add up fast on a 4–7 day trip. Expect a basic dirt/asphalt surface, marked rows, and no shade structures, but pricing is clear on the city-approved board as you pull in.

The lot sits roughly 0.3 miles from the Main terminal doors, too far to walk comfortably with bags along Kirk Douglas Way. Instead, a free shuttle runs a loop, advertised by the airport as fast and direct to the terminal entrance. Reviews mention pickup in just a few minutes during busy times, with the ride itself around 10 minutes, and drop-off right at the Main terminal doors for ticketing and security.

Payment here is card-only: machines accept major credit cards and tap‑to‑pay, but no cash at all, which has caught some occasional users off guard. The lot typically opens only in peak periods when ground staff redirect cars away from the main lot, so attendants on Kirk Douglas Way will point you in. One reviewer summed it up bluntly: cheaper than the main lot, still just an open lot, nothing fancy beyond a working shuttle and clear signage.

Watch out for dust and heat. The Overflow Lot has no shade, so in August a car left three days can feel like an oven and come back with a film of dirt from the surrounding desert. A few flyers also grumble about standing curbside with luggage waiting for the shuttle after long flights, even though most report only a short wait. If you’re price‑sensitive and parking 3+ days, aim for overflow, but build in an extra 20–30 minutes for shuttle time on peak-season mornings.