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Capital · United States

Phoenix

Go for 2–3 nights in Nov–Apr; skip Jun–Aug unless you stay indoors by a pool, when daytime highs average 41°C (106°F).

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and the largest city in the American Southwest, a desert metro of about 1.6 million people at roughly 335 m elevation in the Sonoran Desert. Winter is the season: mild days, cool nights and the whole valley open for hiking and ballgames. Summer is a different trip — plan around air conditioning, early mornings and pools. Most visitors base in Downtown or Scottsdale and use a car, because the metro is spread over dozens of kilometres.

basic guide: no trip line yet
33 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Nov–Apr
avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat), late Jul–Sep monsoon storms
Airports
PHX · AZA · DVT
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 ▾

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
Emergency numbers for Phoenix911 ▾
  • 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 Phoenix, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$4–7
  • Street or quick mealBurrito or taco plate$10–18
  • BeerCraft beer, draught$7–10
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–35
  • Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry$15–30
  • Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
  • Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
  • High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$280

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.

Sonoran Desert and Camelback MountainDesert Botanical GardenHeard Museum and Indigenous artMajor League Baseball spring trainingHohokam canal heritage
Airports
PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (Two terminals (3 and 4); free PHX SkyTrain links both to the 44th St/Washington light-rail stop.) · AZA Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (East of the city in Mesa; mostly Allegiant and Sun Country flights.) · DVT Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (General aviation, about 24 km (15 mi) north of downtown.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    35°C (95°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    40°C (104°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid*

    41°C (106°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    41°C (106°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    38°C (100°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (41°C (106°F)), coolest Dec (7°C (45°F) low), wettest Jan (4 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Phoenix: 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

20°C (68°F)

8°C (46°F)

4 rd

Feb

22°C (72°F)

9°C (48°F)

4 rd

Mar

26°C (79°F)

13°C (55°F)

3 rd

Apr

30°C (86°F)

16°C (61°F)

2 rd

May

35°C (95°F)

21°C (70°F)

1 rd

Jun

40°C (104°F)

26°C (79°F)

0 rd

Jul

41°C (106°F)

29°C (84°F)

4 rd

Aug

41°C (106°F)

29°C (84°F)

4 rd

Sep

38°C (100°F)

26°C (79°F)

3 rd

Oct

32°C (90°F)

19°C (66°F)

3 rd

Nov

25°C (77°F)

12°C (54°F)

3 rd

Dec

19°C (66°F)

7°C (45°F)

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

Valley Metro light rail runs through central Phoenix, connecting Downtown to Tempe and Mesa, with buses filling the gaps; a car is the practical choice for Scottsdale, hiking trailheads and most suburbs. Rideshares cover the airport and nights out. Distances are large: downtown to Old Town Scottsdale is about 16 km.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Scottsdale

go

Door to door: 25–40 min

Drive or rideshare via AZ-202 or Camelback Rd

Old Town for food and galleries; McDowell Sonoran Preserve for hiking.

Tempe

go

Door to door: 35–45 min

Valley Metro light rail from downtown

Mill Avenue, ASU campus and Tempe Town Lake; easy car-free evening.

Mesa

go

Door to door: 40–60 min

Light rail east, or drive via US 60

Mesa Arts Center and the Asian District along Dobson Road.

Gilbert

caution

Door to door: 45–60 min

Drive via AZ-202 Loop

Heritage District is small; pair it with an errand, not a whole day.

Cave Creek

go

Door to door: 50–70 min

Drive north via Cave Creek Rd

Desert foothills, saloons and trailheads; best in cool months.

Chandler

caution

Door to door: 40–55 min

Drive via I-10 and AZ-202

Mostly suburban dining and shopping; go for a specific place.

Avondale

go

Door to door: 35–50 min

Drive west via I-10

Camelback Ranch hosts White Sox/Cubs spring training; a major draw for baseball fans.

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.

Downtown Phoenix

Walkable core, light rail, museums and arenas; quiet at night outside event evenings.

Scottsdale Old Town

Restaurants, galleries and nightlife; 20–30 min drive from downtown.

Tempe

University district, Mill Avenue bars, closest to the airport by light rail.

Airport area (44th St)

One-night stays and early flights; little to walk to.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$70–110 excl. bed
Mid
$130–200 excl. bed
High
$250+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range hotel double room1 × 3 nights × US$160US$480
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$140US$840
Rideshare PHX airport to downtown1 × US$35 · checkUS$35
Light-rail day pass2 × US$6 · checkUS$12
Compact car hire, one day1 × US$55 · checkUS$55
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$146
Trip total≈ US$268 per person per day, bed includedUS$1,608

2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$4–7
Burrito or taco plate$10–18
Craft beer, draught$7–10
Rideshare, 8 kmSurge pricing at event nights.$14–22
Light-rail single ride$2.50–$3+ (check)
Museum entry$15–30
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–35

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Phoenix is generally safe for tourists in the areas you will use. The real risks are summer heat, desert trails without water, monsoon flash floods and unlit blocks around some bus stations at night.
  • Summer heat is the main hazard: carry water, hike before 08:00, and never leave people or pets in a parked car.
  • Monsoon storms from July to September bring flash flooding, dust storms and lightning; avoid desert washes during rain.
  • Desert trails have little shade and no water: turn back early and tell someone your route.
  • Some bus stops and stations sit in rough blocks northwest of downtown; use rideshare at night.
  • Prices are shown before sales tax; tipping 18–22% is expected at sit-down restaurants.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

PhoenixPhoenix

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

Several countries maintain consulates or honorary offices in Phoenix, Scottsdale or Tucson; check your government's site for Arizona coverage.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • PHX SkyTrain to 44th St/Washington: free, about 10 min (check)
  • Rideshare PHX to downtown: $30–$45, 15–25 min (check)
  • Light-rail day pass: about $6 (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the light-rail station? — Where is the light-rail station?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • I need water, please — I need water, please
  • Is this trail safe in the heat? — Is this trail safe in the heat?

Tipping 18–22% at sit-down restaurants; $1–2 a drink at bars.

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 Phoenix. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat), late Jul–Sep monsoon storms · month by month →
  2. 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 7 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for PHX: SkyTrain to 44th St, light rail and rideshare fallbacks, late-arrival rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Downtown, Roosevelt Row, Old Town Scottsdale, Mill Avenue.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum, Camelback trails) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Heat and monsoon fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources