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Phoenix is an easy city to visit once you accept that it is built for cars and heat. English is universal, tipping works like the rest of the United States, and tap water is safe, but the details of airport transfers, transport, and sun safety will save you real money and discomfort. Here are the essential Phoenix travel tips and answers to the questions travelers ask most, plus three recommended hotels. For related guidance, see the things to do in Phoenix guide. For related guidance, see the Phoenix events and festivals guide.
Phoenix Travel Tips: Airport and Getting Around
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) sits just 6km (4 miles) east of downtown, with Terminals 3 and 4 handling most flights. American and Southwest use Terminal 4, while Delta, United, and Alaska are in Terminal 3. The free PHX Sky Train links the terminals to the 44th Street light rail station in about seven minutes, and a Valley Metro light rail ride from there to downtown costs US$2.00 with a free terminal shuttle the other way. A rideshare to downtown runs US$15 to US$25, and taxis are roughly US$20 to US$30. For related guidance, see the Phoenix neighborhoods guide.
Phoenix Travel Tips: Public Transport and Driving
Valley Metro is the region’s transit agency, operating one light rail line plus buses, with a single-ride fare of US$2.00 and a one-day pass of US$4.00. The light rail runs east-west through downtown, connecting Tempe and Mesa to the east with the airport transfer station, and it is genuinely useful for downtown, Tempe, and airport trips. For everything else, especially Camelback Mountain, the Desert Botanical Garden, and Scottsdale, you need a car; rental rates start around US$40 a day, and most hotels charge US$20 to US$40 nightly for parking. Downtown has metered street parking plus garages that run US$10 to US$20 a day.
Phoenix Travel Tips: Money, Tipping and Safety
Tipping follows standard US practice: 15 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, US$1 to US$2 per drink at a bar, and US$2 to US$5 per day for hotel housekeeping. Sales tax in Phoenix is 8.6 percent, added at the register, and hotels charge about 14 percent in combined taxes and fees on top of the nightly rate. Phoenix is generally safe, but the summer sun is the real hazard: drink 1 liter of water per hour you spend outdoors in June through August, and never hike after 10am. Flash floods during monsoon storms can strand cars in washes, so do not drive through moving water.
Phoenix Travel Tips: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink the tap water? Yes, Phoenix tap water is safe to drink, though many locals filter it for taste. Is Phoenix walkable? Only downtown, Roosevelt Row, and Old Town Scottsdale are walkable; the rest of the metro requires a car. How hot does it really get? July highs average 41°C (106°F), with 18 to 20 days a month above 38°C (100°F), as detailed in Phoenix weather by month. Do I need a car to reach the Grand Canyon? Yes, it is a 3.5-hour drive north, and rental cars or guided tours are the main options. When do desert wildflowers bloom? Late February through April, peaking in March after wet winters.
Suggested Hotels in Phoenix
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa
A luxury hillside resort on Camelback Mountain with a 12,000-square-foot spa, an infinity-edge pool, and direct trail access, spread across private casitas and suites. Best for couples seeking a wellness-focused, quiet escape. Check rates and availability
Royal Palms Resort and Spa
A Spanish Colonial Revival resort set among citrus groves between the Biltmore and Scottsdale, with a full-service spa and an intimate, garden-framed feel. Best for honeymooners and couples wanting seclusion near the city. Check rates and availability
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Phoenix Airport North
A well-rated budget-to-mid-range property north of the airport with free hot breakfast, a pool, and a shuttle to the Sky Harbor terminals. Best for layovers, families, and budget travelers who plan to drive. Check rates and availability
For a deeper hotel breakdown by district, see where to stay in Phoenix, and start your planning with best time to visit Phoenix so the heat does not catch you out.
