Major city · United States
Sedona
Go for 2–3 nights: hike at sunrise, drive the canyon, skip the vortex hype. A car is required; no useful public transit.
Sedona is a small Arizona town of about 10,000 people wrapped around red sandstone formations, 120 miles north of Phoenix and 30 miles south of Flagstaff. It is three spread-out districts — Uptown, West Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek — joined by two highways. Most visitors come for hiking, scenic driving and mountain biking, and a car is the only practical way to reach trailheads.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat), holiday weekends
- Airports
- PHX · SDX
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Sedona911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sedona, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySedona is a low-crime resort town; the real risks are heat, altitude, flash floods in Oak Creek Canyon and unmarked trail junctions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPHX Phoenix Sky Harbor (About 2 h by car via I-17 and AZ 179 or AZ 260; the usual arrival airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is required: trailheads, the chapel and both state parks sit off the two highways with no useful bus service.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$22–40
- Street or quick mealBreakfast or lunch plate$12–22
- BeerCraft beer or glass of wine$8–15
- Museum or sight ticketState park entry, per vehicle$10–20 (check)
- Budget bedFamily room or cabin (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$200
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$450
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$180 · High US$350
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor (About 2 h by car via I-17 and AZ 179 or AZ 260; the usual arrival airport.) · SDX Sedona Airport (No scheduled jets; private aviation only.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Mar
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Dec (0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C) low), wettest Aug (6 rain days), driest Jun (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sedona: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is required: trailheads, the chapel and both state parks sit off the two highways with no useful bus service. Uptown is walkable once parked. Expect slow traffic on AZ 89A through town and on AZ 179 at weekends.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Jerome
goDoor to door: About 1 h
AZ 89A west through Cottonwood, about 45 min
Hillside mining town with wine rooms and a state park; half a day is enough.
Flagstaff
goDoor to door: About 1 h
AZ 89A north through Oak Creek Canyon, about 45 min
Cooler, higher, with a walkable old town; the canyon drive is the point.
Prescott
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
I-17 south then AZ 169/AZ 69, about 1 h 45 min
A long half-day; better as an overnight on a loop through Jerome.
Grand Canyon South Rim
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
AZ 89A to Flagstaff, then US 180, about 2 h 30 min
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep at the rim or in Tusayan.
Phoenix
skipDoor to door: About 2 h
I-17 south, about 2 h
Airport transfer only: leave before 3pm to avoid Phoenix rush hour. Not worth a sightseeing day from Sedona.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Uptown Sedona
Walkable shops and restaurants on AZ 89A; priciest, and traffic is heavy midday.
West Sedona
Along AZ 89A west of the 'Y'; motels and grocery stores, closer to several trailheads.
Village of Oak Creek
South on AZ 179 near Bell Rock; quieter, cheaper, good for hikers.
Oak Creek Canyon
North on AZ 89A toward Slide Rock; cabins and campgrounds, cooler in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$220 | US$440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$180 | US$720 |
| Red Rock Pass, one week1 × US$15 · check | US$15 |
| Rental car, one day, compact1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$128 |
| Trip total≈ US$351 per person per day, bed included | US$1,403 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Breakfast or lunch plate | $12–22 |
| Dinner main, mid-range restaurant | $22–40 |
| Craft beer or glass of wine | $8–15 |
| Red Rock Pass (day / week) | $5 / $15 (check) |
| State park entry, per vehicle | $10–20 (check) |
| Jeep tour, per person | $75–150 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat: plan hikes before 9am, carry more water than you think you need.
- A Red Rock Pass is required to park at many national-forest trailheads; buy it before you arrive at the site.
- Palatki and Honanki take reservations or timed entry at busy times; check the forest service site.
- Cell signal is patchy in Oak Creek Canyon and on back roads.
- Altitude is about 1,300 m: sunburn and dehydration come faster than at sea level.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
SedonaSedona
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Sedona; consulates are in Phoenix (Mexico) and Los Angeles or Washington, DC for most other countries.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- PHX airport → Sedona by rental car: about 2 h, fuel about $15 (check)
- Red Rock Pass, one week: $15 (check)
- Pink Jeep tour, per person: $75–150 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- One Red Rock Pass, please — One Red Rock Pass, please
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
US tipping applies: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sedona. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat), holiday weekends · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PHX: drive times field-checked, rental-car pickup, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Uptown, West Sedona, the 'Y' and AZ 179, Village of Oak Creek.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Chapel of the Holy Cross, Palatki, Honanki, Red Rock and Slide Rock state parks) and eat pages with last orders.
- Red Rock Pass and reservation fixtures so gates A–D can go green.