About Phoenix
Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, Phoenix is the fifth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous state capital. The Phoenix metropolitan area, with an estimated 5.19 million residents, is the tenth-most populous metropolitan area in the U.S. and the most populous in the Mountain states and Southwest. Phoenix is the county seat of Maricopa County in the Salt River Valley and Arizona Sun Corridor and, with an area of 517.9 square miles, is the largest city by area in Arizona and 11th-largest city by area in the United States.
Cheap flights to Phoenix
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $886 from Dublin, travelling 19 Nov – 7 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- LON London to Phoenix5 Feb – 15 Feb · PHX from$997
- DUB Dublin to Phoenix19 Nov – 7 Dec · PHX from$886
- EDI Edinburgh to Phoenix15 Dec – 29 Dec · PHX from$1,379
- PRG Prague to Phoenix16 Mar – 6 Apr · PHX from$1,314
- CPH Copenhagen to Phoenix9 Nov – 16 Nov · PHX from$1,084
- MAN Manchester to Phoenix26 Nov – 2 Dec · PHX from$1,346
- HEL Helsinki to Phoenix22 Nov – 12 Jan · PHX from$1,362
- GLA Glasgow to Phoenix10 Jan – 23 Jan · PHX from$1,334
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, Aer Lingus.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to PhoenixPlaces to visit in Phoenix
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Desert Botanical Garden
Park · 8 mi from centreTrails through thousands of cactus and desert plant species set against red buttes in Papago Park; mornings and evenings are the most comfortable times to visit.
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Heard Museum
Museum · 2 mi from centreA museum devoted to American Indian art and culture, with strong collections of Southwest pottery, textiles, jewelry and kachina dolls, plus contemporary Native work. Its shop sells authentic Native-made art.
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Camelback Mountain
Nature · 8 mi from centreA steep, rocky summit hike in the middle of the metro area rewarding fit hikers with panoramic views; start early and carry plenty of water in warm months.
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Musical Instrument Museum
MuseumThousands of instruments from around the world presented with video and audio headsets, plus a room where visitors can try playing many of them. Plan at least half a day.
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Papago Park
ParkRed sandstone buttes and easy trails, including the short climb to Hole-in-the-Rock, offering classic desert scenery and sunset views near the zoo and botanical garden.
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Taliesin West
Historic · 17 mi from centreFrank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio in Scottsdale, built from desert stone and canvas, visited on guided tours that explain his organic architecture. Booking tours ahead is recommended.
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South Mountain Park
Nature · 8 mi from centreOne of the largest municipal parks in the U.S., with miles of hiking and biking trails and the Dobbins Lookout offering wide views over the city.
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Phoenix Art Museum
Museum · 1 mi from centreA broad collection of American, Asian, European and Western art, along with fashion design and the popular Thorne miniature rooms. It sits on the Central Avenue light rail line, making it easy to reach from downtown.
Things to do in Phoenix by type
5 tours, tickets and experiences across 1 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
- 3-6 hours 2
- 1-3 hours 1
Top experiences in Phoenix
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 5 available.
SmartSIM USA - eSIM All Access Pass
From $10 per adult
Secret Food Tours Phoenix
From $89 per adult
Where to stay in Phoenix
Popular hotels in Phoenix, out of 496 properties you can book.
The McCormick Scottsdale
From $79 per night
FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel
From $135 per night
Doubletree By Hilton Phoenix Mesa
From $121 per night
Arizona Biltmore, LXR Hotels & Resorts
From $316 per night
Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort
From $118 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North
From $111 per night
The Scott Resort & Spa
From $362 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix North Happy Valley
From $266 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe
From $158 per night
Home2 Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Salt River
From $277 per night
Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa
From $245 per night
Home2 Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town
From $199 per night
Best time to visit Phoenix
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Phoenix is February and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 71–75°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Phoenix weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 93° 73° 61%
- Thu 22 Oct 87° 74° 81%
- Fri 23 Oct 80° 71° 2%
- Sat 24 Oct 81° 72° 1%
- Sun 25 Oct 83° 72° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 88° 74° 5%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/PhoenixUTC−7
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Phoenix
These are the airports closest to central Phoenix. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport4 mi (6 km) from the city centre
- DVT Phoenix Deer Valley Airport17 mi (27 km) from the city centre
- LUF Luke Air Force Base19 mi (30 km) from the city centre
Getting around Phoenix
Like many metro areas in the Southwest, Phoenix and its surroundings are pretty car centric. If you plan to stay or visit any of the cities on the periphery of the metro area, a car will likely be required. However, if you plan to stick to the immediate Phoenix area (including Tempe), the Light Rail is a viable option, with an all-day adult pass costing $4. So if you are in the United States without a car, consider that. There are also rental scooters with drop-off points at almost every block in the city center.
By e-scooter
The fastest and most comfortable way to get around downtown, especially in summer months when temperatures soar, is by e-scooter. The most popular rental company is Lime, their scooters are easily recognizable by their green and black color scheme. There are over 1000 scooters in the downtown area, which can be rented and dropped off in any of 400 stations.
By car
The new Car Rental Facility for the Phoenix Airport is just west of the airport. National polls have shown that Phoenix is the 4th most expensive city in terms of surcharges in the nation. Car rental companies are required to add 29% (that's twenty-nine percent!) to your bill to pay for this state-of-the-art building. Take a cab or public transit to a local office of a car rental company. Do not tell them you are flying in.
By public transit
Valley Metro provides public transit for the entire Phoenix metro area, with an extensive bus and light rail system. Bus lines run along every major street about every 30 minutes on average, though coverage gets spotty once you get to the further suburbs. There are also two kinds of express busses, the Express and the RAPID, which run from various park-and-ride centers to downtown.
Phoenix travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Phoenix?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Phoenix is February and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 71–75°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
What is the weather like in Phoenix?
July is usually the warmest month in Phoenix, with average highs of 108°F (42°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 40°F (5°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 68 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Phoenix?
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (6 km) from the centre of Phoenix. Other nearby airports include Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT, 17 mi) and Luke Air Force Base (LUF, 19 mi).
How much are flights to Phoenix?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Phoenix in the last 30 days was $886 from Dublin, travelling 19 Nov – 7 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $886.
What time zone is Phoenix in?
Phoenix uses the America/Phoenix time zone (currently UTC−7). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Phoenix?
Like many metro areas in the Southwest, Phoenix and its surroundings are pretty car centric. If you plan to stay or visit any of the cities on the periphery of the metro area, a car will likely be required.
What are the best places to visit in Phoenix?
Top sights in Phoenix include Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum, Camelback Mountain and Musical Instrument Museum. Trails through thousands of cactus and desert plant species set against red buttes in Papago Park; mornings and evenings are the most comfortable times to visit.
What are the top things to do in Phoenix?
Popular experiences you can book in Phoenix include SmartSIM USA - eSIM All Access Pass and Secret Food Tours Phoenix. Destina Holidays offers 5 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Phoenix?
The most popular types of experiences in Phoenix are shows, sports and special events (3), gastronomy & nightlife (1) and travel services (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Phoenix?
Popular areas for hotels in Phoenix include Scottsdale, Downtown and Mesa. Well-reviewed options include The McCormick Scottsdale and FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel.
How many hotels can I book in Phoenix?
Destina Holidays currently lists 496 properties in and around Phoenix, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
