Phoenix travel guides
Browse and explore the best travel guides in Phoenix.
Phoenix travel facts
Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert at the centre of a vast, low-rise metropolitan sprawl known as the Valley of the Sun, which records around 300 clear days a year. The saguaro cactus landscape reaches right into the city, and Camelback Mountain and Piestewa Peak rise straight out of residential neighbourhoods for genuinely steep hikes with skyline views.
The metro area is really several cities. Downtown Phoenix has the Heard Museum, one of the finest collections of Native American art anywhere, and the Musical Instrument Museum. Scottsdale to the northeast holds the resorts, spas, golf and Old Town nightlife, plus Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West. Tempe is the university town, and Mesa is quieter and cheaper.
Season matters more here than in almost any other American city. Winter and early spring are glorious and busy; summer is genuinely dangerous, with temperatures regularly above 43°C and hiking trails closed on the hottest days. Phoenix is also the natural base for Sedona's red rocks and the Grand Canyon, both a few hours north.
Country
United States
Region
Arizona, Sonoran Desert (Valley of the Sun)
Population
~1.65 million (city), ~5 million metro
Elevation
~331 m
Time Zone
Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7); Arizona does not observe daylight saving
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Language
English; Spanish widely spoken
Nearest Airport
PHX (Sky Harbor International, 5 km from downtown)
Airport to City Centre
~15 min via the free PHX Sky Train to the Valley Metro light rail, or 10 min by car
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range, rising sharply in winter high season
Transport Pass
Valley Metro all-day pass; a car is still recommended given the sprawl
Spring (Mar-May)
12-31°C, the ideal season with desert wildflowers in March
Summer (Jun-Aug)
27-41°C, frequently above 43°C; monsoon storms from July
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
17-34°C, cooling steadily and very pleasant by November
Winter (Dec-Feb)
8-20°C, warm sunny days and cool nights; peak tourist season
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Do you need a visa for United States?
Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
Climate averages · 1991–2020
When is the best time to visit Phoenix?
Monthly temperatures, rainfall and sunshine — not a live forecast.
See Phoenix weatherLatest travel guides
Phoenix Destination FAQ
November to April is the season, with warm sunny days, cool nights and every outdoor activity comfortable. This is peak period and hotel rates roughly double, particularly around spring training baseball in March and the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February. March brings desert wildflowers. Avoid June to August unless you are committed to a pool: temperatures regularly exceed 43°C and the heat is a genuine health risk, though resort rates collapse.
Sky Harbor is unusually close, just 5 km from downtown. Take the free PHX Sky Train from any terminal to the 44th Street station, then the Valley Metro light rail into downtown, roughly 15 to 20 minutes in total for a low flat fare. A taxi or rideshare takes about 10 minutes. For Scottsdale, 30 minutes away, a car or rideshare is the practical choice as light rail does not reach it.
It is, with respect for the heat, which kills hikers in the Phoenix area most years. Start at dawn, carry far more water than feels necessary, at least a litre per hour, and turn back early. The city closes popular trails including Camelback and Piestewa Peak on Excessive Heat Warning days, and rescues from those trails can be charged for. Camelback's Echo Canyon route is a genuine scramble rather than a walk. Watch for rattlesnakes on warm mornings.
Downtown Phoenix suits museum visits, sports and business, with light rail access and lower prices. Scottsdale is where most leisure visitors stay, with the resorts, spas, golf courses and Old Town's restaurants and galleries, though it is pricier. Tempe is cheaper and lively thanks to the university, and Mesa or Chandler offer better value again for anyone with a car. The metro is spread out, so pick based on what you plan to do rather than proximity to the airport.
Yes, though it is a long day. The South Rim is around 3.5 to 4 hours each way by car, making a day trip roughly 12 hours with only a few hours at the canyon. Staying overnight in Tusayan, Williams or Flagstaff is far more rewarding. Sedona is a much easier option at two hours, and many visitors combine it with the canyon over two or three days. Organised bus and small-plane tours also run from Phoenix.
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