Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX  ^IATA) is the main air gateway to Phoenix and Arizona. It's a reasonably pleasant airport to wait in, with interesting art, some solid dining options, and therapy dogs roaming the concourses.

The airport was voted "best large airport in the United States" by Wall Street Journal in 2019.

It is a hub for American Airlines/American Eagle and Southwest Airlines. There are only two terminals: 3 and 4. There are direct flights to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

The airline check-in desks are at the west half of Level 1 in Terminal 3 and up on Level 2 in Terminal 4 with the following:

33.4268-112.0251 JSX Have their own terminal at 2700 E Old Tower Rd.

Note: If you're traveling with Allegiant and Sun Country they are both at Phoenix Sky Harbor and at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA IATA), another airport at 32 mi (51 km) east in Mesa.

See also: view full list of airlines at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Baggage claim for all domestic arrivals are on Ground (1st) Level in both Terminals 3 and 4. Baggage claim & customs inspection for international arrivals in the eastern portion of Third Level of Terminal 3. At Terminal 4 take the escalators from check-in to the station up in Level 4 and another escalator up to the loading platforms at Level 5. In Terminal 3 the Sky Train station is next to the security screening stations via Skybridge from the southwestern corner of the main (terminal 3) building.

Additional alternate airports for travelers going to other parts of Arizona without flying into Phoenix and then driving another 3+ hrs (or by other ground transport) to get there are:

• Most of the same airlines from the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Central/South America in the above also go directly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS ^IATA) in Las Vegas from their cities of origin thus saving travelers the extra time and effort in getting up to Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Kingman, Hualapai Indian Reservations, the western half of the Grand Canyon (Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument), or anywhere in Northwestern Arizona. American, Frontier, JSX, Southwest and Spirit offer direct flights from PHX to Las Vegas while Allegiant flies directly from Mesa (AZA) to Las Vegas in 1hr 10m.
• Flagstaff-Pulliam Airport (FLG ^IATA) and Page Municipal Airport (PGA  ^IATA) are additional airports with commercial flight services in Northern Arizona. American Eagle flies to Flagstaff from Phoenix and Dallas-Ft Worth while Contour flies to Page from both Phoenix and Las Vegas.
• Tucson International Airport (TUS ^IATA) Some travelers from within the U.S. may opt to fly directly to Tucson if they plan to spend their entire stay there while saving time in picking up a rental car here and then drive down there (2-3 hrs). Others may choose to fly into PHX, rent a car, and drive down there; or take a bus or shuttle to get there (see below under 'By public transportation') in order to save money on the airfare or to include additional stopovers in Casa Grande, Picacho State Park, or anywhere in between in South Central Arizona. There are no international flights to Tucson. Direct flight time to TUS from PHX is 50 minutes with American Eagle.
• Yuma International Airport (YUM ^IATA) is a small regional airport in the southwestern corner of the state serving primarily as a military and general aviation airport with American Eagle as the only commercial airline from Phoenix and Dallas-Ft Worth. It is the closest airport to Yuma and San Luis Rio Colorado (Mexico).

The terminal's odd numbering is an artifact of its development in the decades since the 1950s, when Terminal 1 was opened. Terminal 1 was demolished in 1991. Terminal 2, which opened in the 1960s, ceased operations in February 2020 and was subsequently demolished. Terminal 3 opened in 1979 and was modernized and expanded in 1997 and again in 2020. Terminal 4 opened in 1990, briefly co-existed with Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Throughout the airport's growth, airport officials have simply decided to not renumber the terminals.

33°26′2″N 112°0′43″W

Map of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

The PHX Sky Train travels between Rental Car Center, the 24th Street Station, Terminals 3 & 4, East Economy Parking, and Valley Metro 44th St Transit Center (ADA accessible).

Your best option is to take a taxi from the airport, use a ride-sharing app, or rent a car, depending on what your stay involves. If you need to get around frequently or leave town, then a rental car is the best choice. PHX has a centralized 33.43089-112.04432 Rental Car Center (RCC) at 1805 E Sky Harbor Circle South, between 16th & 24th St south of Buckeye Rd. The RCC is at the southwestern terminus of the free PHX Sky train which connects travelers to the airline terminals. Taxis pick up from each terminal and at the 44th/Washington St Light Rail Station (See below under 'By taxi & rideshare').

Entrances to the airport along E Sky Harbor Blvd, running east-west through the airport.

• From Interstate 10 the airport is accessed from W Buckeye Rd at Exit 149, nearest the car rental center; and at the southern end of (AZ 143), southeast of the airport grounds at exit 153 (EB I-10)/153A (WB I-10) in Tempe. I-10 goes south/southeast towards Tucson from its junction with AZ-51/202 west downtown but its still signed 'east' (EB) towards Tucson and 'west' (WB) towards Phoenix.
• Arizona Loop 202 (Loop 202) provides a more direct connection from the east side of the airport to the East Valley. Going west Loop 202 curves north and around the airport towards its junction with AZ-51 and I-10 from its junction with AZ 143. To get to the airport one continues on the same road west from where Loop 202 curves north towards the airport grounds as E Sky Harbor Blvd. Going west past the terminals E Sky Harbor Blvd becomes W Buckeye Rd.
• State Route 143 (SR 143) serves as an auxiliary highway to bypass S 44th St, to connect I-10 in Tempe (exit 153) to SR-202 east of downtown with connections to E Sky Harbor Blvd (to airport) and E Washington St along the eastside of the airport. SR 143 becomes S 48th St south of its terminus at I-10 and at McDowell Rd north of its junction with SR 202.

• S 44th St goes north-south forming the eastern border of the airport grounds as a local surface St.. Travelers can go east on Washington St (at light rail station) or on Broadway Rd, from S 44th St to get into Tempe. For going downtown one can go west towards I-10 on W Buckeye Rd and get on the westbound lanes of I-10 or go west on Washington St from 44th St.

The airport has parking lots near each terminal and economy lots on each end:

• 33.4372-112.01371 Terminal 3 Parking. 
• 33.4356-111.99782 Terminal 4 Parking. 
• 33.4328-111.98653 East Economy Lot. with covered and uncovered parking; Sky Train to connect to terminals. 
• 33.4361-112.02084 West Economy Lot. with covered and uncovered parking; must walk to Terminal 3 (can ride Sky Train to Terminal 4). 

Parking rates (Aug 2022):

• Terminal 3 Garage: $4/hour, $30 daily max.
• Terminal 4 Garage: $4/hour, $30 daily max.
• East Economy Lot, uncovered: $4/hour, $14 daily max.
• East Economy Lot, garage: $4/hour, $16 daily max.
• West Economy Lot, uncovered: $4/hour, $9 daily max.
• West Economy Lot, garage: $4/hour, $16 daily max.

Taxis pick from Terminal 3 taxis at the North Curb outside of Door 7. At Terminal 4 taxis are at the North Curb outside of Door 7 AND the South Curb at Door 4. Rideshare vehicles pick up at the entire south outer curb at Terminal 3. At Terminal 4 Rideshare is at Level at the north outer curb, at west end of terminal, outside Door 1. They are also at the south outer curb, east, and outside door 6 or 8 and western end of door 2 of Terminal 4. Rideshare serving the Phoneix area are Uber, Lyft, Wridz and/or Waymo whose apps can be installed onto your cell phone from the Apple or Google Play Store.

33.447-111.99033 Phoenix 44th St Transit Center, is at the eastern terminus of the PHX Sky Train towards the NE corner of the airport grounds. The buses are at the same location as the PHX Sky Train while the 33.4482-111.9884 44th St/Washington Light Rail station is in a separate location nearby. It is connected from the PHX Sky Train & 44th St Transit Center by a footbridge, which goes over a canal/creek and the eastbound lanes of Washington St into the light rail station itself (middle of the road). The following are Valley Metro routes from Washington St/44th St Station (airport station):

• Valley Metro Light Rail goes west and then north towards N 19th Ave & W Dunlap via downtown. It goes west towards downtown on Washington St and then north along Central Ave, W Camelback, and north 19th Ave towards Dunlap. From the same 44th St/Washington Station (airport station) it goes east towards Main St & Gilbert Rd in Mesa through Tempe.

• Routes 40 & 184. For going towards Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport by public transport, continue east on Main, on the #40 bus, from the eastern terminus of the light rail (Main & Gilbert) to Superstition Springs Mall Transit Center. Continue south towards the other airport on the 184 bus from Superstition Springs.

• Route 1 Washington St goes east & west between Central Ave/Van Buren St in downtown and N Priest & Washington Ave in Tempe, south of the Papago Park.
• Route 32 32nd St travels north & south between N 28th St & E Camelback in the north to S 40th & E Baseline in the south via N 32nd St, E Washington St, S 44th St & S 40th St.
• Route 44 44th St connects the 44th St Transit Center to JW Marriott Resort in Desert ridge, through Paradise Valley along 44th St & Tatum Blvd. If your entire stay is at a resort ask if they provide private transportation to/from the airport.
• Route 13 Buckeye Rd does not go into the 44th St Transit Center. This route begins/ends in front of where Terminal 2 once stood, south of the West Economy Parking Garage, next to Terminal 3. It can be accessed by a walkway/pedestrian bridge from the PHX Sky Train Terminal 3 Station. The #13 bus goes east-west along Buckeye Rd between (old) Terminal 2 at PHX and S 75th Ave.

Intercity bus companies stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the 44th St Transit Center at the NE corner of the airport (Greyhound, Flixbus); and/or their own stations in peripherals of the airport but off airport grounds. The other bus and shuttle companies have different pick-up points in different locations at each terminal. Check their respective sites for pick-up locations:

• Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach (operated by Groome Transportation & Stagecoach Express), 3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd (Outside Door 3 of Terminal 4 at the center island.). Groome Transportation (see below) operates the Thruway bus from Phoenix to the Southwest Chief in Flagstaff while Stagecoach Express operates the Thruway bus to the Texas Eagle and the Sunset Limited trains in Maricopa. Bus schedules are timed with train arrival and departure times in Flagstaff and Maricopa. (updated Oct 2023)
• Arizona Go!, ☏ +1 888 603-1766. Appointment required. Pre-arranged door-door transport all over Arizona from Phoenix, Mesa or Tucson airports. (updated Oct 2023)
• Arizona Shuttle Select & Kenovah Tours (formerly Super Shuttle), ☏ +1 623 200-2849. Appointment required. Door to door transport to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area and the surrounding "Inner City" areas (Sedona, Camp Verded, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Rimrock) (updated Oct 2023)
• 33.44748-112.02895 El Paso-Los Angeles Limousine Express, (Bus station) 2426 E Jefferson (next to 24th St/Washington (WB) and 24th St/Jefferson (EB) Lightrail Stations. One can also get there on the westbound #1 bus.), ☏ +1 623 932-2182, +1 602 254-4101. Su-M 10AM-3PM; Tu-Sa 3PM-6PM. It's the only one in or near downtown. Travels along I-10 between Los Angeles & El Paso on one route and up to Las Vegas on another route. (updated Nov 2015)
• Flixbus, (bus stop) 44th St Sky Train Station by airport (at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station, the bus will board at the west end of the bus loading zone (which is on the north side of the 44th Street Station), not at the light rail station). (updated Dec 2018)
• 33.43629-112.035636 Greyhound Lines, Autobus Americanos & Cruceros USA, (Bus station) 2115 E Buckeye (SW corner of S 24th St & Buckeye Rd, west of the airport terminals & next to the freeway. Following signs from the Sky Train's '24th St Station' to the bus terminal. Some buses going towards El Paso also make an additional stop at the 44th St Transit Center.), ☏ +1 602-389-4200, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 10 (Los Angeles-Phoenix-Tuscon-El Paso); I-17 (Phoenix-Sedona-Flagstaff). Prices vary by destination. (updated Nov 2022)
• Groome Transportation (formerly Arizona Shuttle) (From Terminal 3 exit DOOR #9 and cross to the center island. Turn to the right and walk until you see the BLUE INTER-CITY SHUTTLE sign. From Terminal 4 exit DOOR #5 and cross to the center island. Please wait at the BLUE INTER-CITY SHUTTLE sign.), toll-free: +1-800-888-2749. Regularly scheduled shuttle service from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport's two terminals to Tucson, Prescott, Sedona & Flagstaff. A transfer is available to the Grand Canyon, but please call them to request this. (updated Mar 2021)
• Head Out to Rocky Point, ☏ +1 602 971-0166. Goes down to Rocky Point in Puerto Penasco, Mexico from Sky Harbor or any pick-up point in Phoenix or Mesa. (updated Oct 2023)
• Western Express Shuttle, ☏ +1 928 202-4071. Door to door private airport transport to Sedona and points in Verde Valley (Enchantment Resort, L’Auberge Resort, Seven Canyons, Hyatt Pinion Point, Hilton Bell Rock, Cedars Resort). (updated Oct 2023)

See also: PHX airport map. for locations of airline check-in, restaurants, lounges, gates, etc

The PHX Sky Train serves as the primary means to get across the airport grounds between the Rental Car Center, 24th St Station, Terminals 3 & 4, East Economy Parking Lot and Valley Metro's (Bus) 44th St Transit Center (see 'Ground transportation' in above). At Terminal 4 take the escalators from check-in to the station up in Level 4 and another escalator up to the loading platforms at Level 5. In Terminal 3 the Sky Train station is next to the security screening stations via a Skybridge. The Sky Train runs 24 hours daily at every 3-5 minutes and it is a free ride. The Sky Train only operates in the public side (outside security) with no airside connections between the two terminals. Therefore, passengers will have to exit the secured areas of one terminal and then go through the security screening lines to access their onward flight in the other terminal. All international arrivals exit out into the public areas from customs and are re-screened by security personnel to re-enter into the boarding gates for their onward flights.

Therapy dogs, nicknamed "Navigator Buddies", wander the concourses with human handlers to add a little warmth and cuteness to passengers' waits. They're very chill and love being petted.

• American Admirals Club (3 locations at Terminal 4: Above Gates A7 and A9, between Gates A19 and A21, and above Gates B5 and B7.). (updated Mar 2020)
• Delta Sky Club (Terminal 3, near Gate F8). (updated Mar 2020)
• United Club (Terminal 3, near Gate E3). (updated May 2023)
• The Centurion Lounge (Escape Lounge) (Terminal 4, on the upper level across from Gate B22.). 5:30AM-10PM. $40 for passes booked at least 24 hours prior to visit. $45 for passes purchased at the door. Free access for American Express Platinum card members and two guests.. (updated Mar 2020)

Food options in Terminal 4 are more extensive, and vegetarian and vegan options are not hard to find there. The below are some of the eating establishments located within Terminal 4 both landside (pre-security) and airside (behind security):

• Delux Burger, A22, very good burgers
• Berry Divine, D11. Açaí bowls.
• Chelsea's kitchen , pre-security, (part of LGO group), fresh menu
• La Grande Orange, D1
• Matt's Big Breakfast, B5, They serve breakfast (foods) all day. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine and cocktails are also on the menu.
• Four Peaks Brewery A20, They typically serve pub fare and their own selection of beers.
• Barrio Cafe D1, Mexican restaurant including a wide selection of tequila
• Cowboy Ciao, B21, They feature an extensive wine list and American cuisine with local accents. They also sell grab and go snacks and drinks from their kiosk near Gate B1.
• Pedal Haus Brewery, D11. Soft pretzels and pizzas, with vegan options. Under $15 for an individual-sized half pizza.
• Los Taquitos, C3, Street tacos and hearty totas.
• Zinc Brasserie, C11, They offer french sandwiches.

Options in Terminal 3 are more limited.

Click here for a list of available eateries in both terminals.

• USCareWays Urgent Care (Terminal 4). Daily 8AM-8PM. The first full-service urgent care facility inside a U.S. airport. X-rays and vaccines available.

There are no hotels on the airport grounds or attached to the terminal buildings. Closest to being "airport hotels" are the Aloft and Crowne Plaza (see below) as they are nearest to the SkyTrain and Valley Metro 44th/Washington St Light Station in the northeastern corner of the airport grounds. There are additional other hotels further north along 44th St between Washington and SR-202. A number of them do offer direct shuttle connections to Terminals 3 & 4 and some to the Rental Car Center at the opposite corner of the airport grounds:

• 33.44869-111.986191 Aloft Phoenix Airport (Marriott Hotel), 4450 East Washington St (NE of the intersection of 44th & Washington), ☏ +1 602-275-6300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 33.44877-111.988452 Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport (IHG Hotel), 4300 East Washington St (NW of the intersection of 44th & Washington, next to light rail station), ☏ +1 602-273-7778. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 33.45181-111.988363 Double Tree (Hilton Hotel), 320 North 44th St (NW of 44th St & E Van Buren St), ☏ +1 602-225-0500. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 33.45504-111.986574 Hampton Inn Phoenix-Airport North (Hilton Hotel), 601 North 44th St (NE of 44th St & Gateway Blvd), ☏ +1 602-267-0606, fax: +1 602-267-9767. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. Offers free 24-hour airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, high speed internet and spacious rooms. 
• 33.45326-111.986395 Radisson (Choice Hotels), 427 North 44th St (NE of N 44th St & E Polk St/Gateway Blvd), ☏ +1 602 661-3160. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. 
• 33.4565-111.98616 Residence Inn Phoenix Airport (Marriott Hotel), 801 North 44th St, ☏ +1 602-273-9220. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Extended stay accommodations include full size kitchens and free internet. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet served daily. (updated Apr 2015)

Note: Van Buren St goes east-west and it divides the area between "North" and "South". Therefore, 44th becomes "North 44th St" north Van Buren and "South 44th St" south of Van Buren. The house numbers start at 0 on Van Buren St and they increase as you go further north or south from Van Buren.

Next set of airport hotels are further south on S 44th St near its intersection with W University on S 47th Pl, 3 blocks east of 44th. They are too far to walk from the Sky Train at 44th & Washington but are connected to the airport by (hotel operated) shuttles or taxi/ride share. Ask if the hotel shuttles pick-up from the airport or the Rental Car Center:

• 33.423414-111.9806177 Courtyard Phoenix Airport (Marriott Hotel), 2621 S 47th St, ☏ +1 480-966-4300. $70-120. 
• 33.42246-111.98078 Country Inn (Choice Hotels), 4700 W University, ☏ +1 480 877-0748. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 33.42477-111.979379 Hilton Phoenix Airport, 2435 S 47th Pl, ☏ +1 480 894-1600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 
• 33.42382-111.9790510 Sleep Inn (Choice Hotels), 2621 S 47th Pl, ☏ +1 480 967-7100. (updated Nov 2023)

The eastbound (EB) #30 bus on University Dr goes into Tempe from the 4700 block (location of these hotels), while the #44 bus goes north towards the 44th/Washington St Light Rail Station along S 44th St for travelers staying without a car.

Downtown Phoenix ← Jct Buckeye Rd (airport exit #149) → Jct ←	W  E	→ Jct (Exit 153) → Tucson
End ← Becomes 'Sky Harbor Blvd' (airport access road) ←	W  E	→ Tempe ← Jct → Mesa
Jct ← E Washington St ←	N  S	→ E Sky Harbor Blvd to Airport → Jct becomes S 48th past I-10