Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (PHX)

How to get to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix city center is approximately 8 km (5 miles) from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 15 minutes combining the free Sky Train and Valley Metro Light Rail.

By Car

Travelers arriving by car reach downtown Phoenix in approximately 15-20 minutes, traffic permitting.

By Train

The PHX Sky Train, free of charge, connects the terminals to the 44th Street station, from which Valley Metro Light Rail reaches downtown Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa in approximately 15 minutes; single ticket 2 USD, daily pass 4 USD.

By Bus

Some bus routes connect the terminal to the city center.

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Tips The Sky Train is completely free up to the interchange station: you will only pay for the Valley Metro Light Rail ticket (2 USD) for the final leg toward downtown.

Average travel time to PHX

TrainNot available at direct station (Sky Train + Valley Metro Light Rail)

Shuttle bus15 min (2 USD, Sky Train free + Light Rail)

Taxi / Private hire15-20 minutes (20-30 USD)

Parking near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Multi-story parking lots are located adjacent to the terminals, with daily rates approximately $15 to $25; distant economy lots offer lower rates with free shuttle service.

How to get to Phoenix from PHX

By Train

PHX Sky Train (free) to 44th Street, then Valley Metro Light Rail ($2) toward downtown; about 15 minutes total.

By Bus

Some urban buses connect the airport to the center.

By Taxi

A taxi applies a fixed regulated rate of $20 (around $15-25 on the meter); Uber/Lyft cost approximately $12-25, to downtown, with a trip of 15-20 minutes.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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From PHX to the most sought-after destinations

If you want...	Choose	Approximate cost
Spend the least to the center	PHX Sky Train + Valley Metro Light Rail	2 USD
Get to Tempe or Arizona State University	Same light rail line, continuing east	2 USD
Reach Old Town Scottsdale (no direct line)	Taxi, Uber/Lyft or Waymo autonomous vehicle	~25-35 USD
Heavy luggage or large group	Taxi with fixed regulated fare	20 USD

Sky Harbor → Downtown Phoenix

The Light Rail stops at Washington/Central Ave and 3rd St/Washington stations, just steps from Chase Field, the Diamondbacks' stadium, and the Footprint Center, the Phoenix Suns' arena.

Sky Harbor → Tempe and Arizona State University

Continuing on the same line heading east you reach the ASU campus in Tempe and Mill Avenue, the heart of university life, in about 35 minutes from the downtown Phoenix stations.

Sky Harbor → Old Town Scottsdale

The light rail network does not reach Scottsdale: for nightlife and restaurants in Old Town, an Uber, Lyft or one of Waymo's autonomous vehicles is recommended, with 25-35 minutes of travel depending on traffic.

Sky Harbor → Museum district on Central Avenue

Getting off at stations along Central Avenue you can reach on foot the Phoenix Art Museum and the Heard Museum, dedicated to Native American art.

Car rental at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

All major car rental companies have desks in the Rental Car Center, reachable by free Sky Train.

Bring your driver's license, passport, and credit card in the driver's name; useful for exploring the surrounding desert and excursions to the Grand Canyon.

Hotels near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Sky Harbor is an urban airport: downtown Phoenix is 8 km away and a free Sky Train stretch plus the Light Rail is all it takes to get there in about a quarter of an hour. Sleeping next to the airport is therefore mostly for those with a flight at impossible hours or a long connection, and the hotels in the area have a free shuttle. For everyone else, it makes sense to choose based on what you are coming to do: downtown for stadiums and museums, Tempe for the university and nightlife on the light rail line, Scottsdale for resorts and golf. In summer, the heat weighs on your choices more than distances do.

Airport area

The two Hilton Garden Inn hotels offer a free airport shuttle; by taxi or Uber the distance is a matter of a few minutes.

Best for: Dawn flights, long connections or late arrivals, when you want a bed a few minutes from the runways.

Pros

Free shuttle: no rental car or taxi needed just for the transfer
Short, predictable times for flights leaving at dawn

Cons

An area of roads and warehouses: after arriving you dine at the hotel or by car
For the attractions you need a taxi or the Light Rail after the shuttle

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

City centre

Downtown Phoenix

Free Sky Train to 44th Street station, then the Light Rail towards downtown: about 15 minutes in all.

Best for: Those who want games, concerts and museums without a car, with the Light Rail a few steps away.

Pros

Chase Field and Footprint Center are close and reachable on foot
Museums along Central Avenue are accessible by Light Rail

Cons

Streets almost empty in the evening on days without events
The summer heat makes even a short walk hard

Recommended hotels

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Inside CityScape, near Footprint Center and Chase Field; it has a pool on the third-floor terrace and is 3.5 miles from the airport. View availability

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Nearby town

Tempe and Mill Avenue

Free Sky Train to 44th Street, then the Light Rail east to the Mill Avenue area; the ASU campus is along the same line.

Best for: Those looking for bars and restaurants with a university atmosphere, linked to downtown by the Light Rail.

Pros

Mill Avenue is full of bars and restaurants well into the night
A single Light Rail line links Tempe, the airport and downtown

Cons

On university event evenings the area can be noisy
For Scottsdale you still need a car: the Light Rail doesn't go there

Recommended hotels

Tempe Mission Palms A few minutes' walk from the Mill Avenue and 3rd Street Light Rail station; rooftop pool and staff available 24 hours a day. View availability

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Neighbourhood

Scottsdale Old Town

There is no direct line: Uber, Lyft, taxi or Waymo, about 25-35 minutes depending on traffic.

Best for: Resorts, golf and restaurants: for those coming to Phoenix for Scottsdale more than for the city.

Pros

Old Town's restaurants, galleries and bars within walking distance of the hotel
A holiday atmosphere, with pools and spas

Cons

With no rail line, the transfer depends on a car or taxi
High winter season with decidedly higher prices

Recommended hotels

Hotel Valley Ho Modern 1956 architecture on the edge of Old Town; the website states no daily resort fee, with restaurants and bars a few steps away. View availability

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport is Arizona's primary hub with connections to Mexico and limited international destinations alongside domestic routes.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features Arizona products (ceramics, Southwest spices) and luxury goods.

Lounges & relaxation

Sky Harbor divides its lounges between Terminal 4 and Terminal 3. Terminal 4, American Airlines', has the Admirals Clubs, the Centurion Lounge, the Chase Sapphire Lounge with a glass wall over the runways and an Escape Lounge open to those who pay. Terminal 3 has the Delta and United lounges and the Escape Lounge between gates E and F, the one to choose with Priority Pass. For a late-evening flight, the Delta Sky Club is the last to close.

lounges: 10
with Priority Pass: 1
earliest opening: 04:30

Which lounge to choose: full comparison