Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Understand

The airport was voted "best large airport in the United States" by Wall Street Journal in 2019.

Getting around

See also: PHX airport map. for locations of airline check-in, restaurants, lounges, gates, etc. Between the terminals, the Rental Car Center, economy parking lots, and the transit centers, the free PHX Sky Train is available 24 hours a day at every 3-5 minutes. However, it only operates in the public side (outside security) with no airside connections between the two terminals. Therefore, passengers will have to exit the secured areas of one terminal and then go through the security screening lines to access their onward flight in the other terminal.

At Terminal 4, take the escalators from check-in to the station up in Level 4 and another escalator up to the loading platforms at Level 5. In Terminal 3, the Sky Train station is next to the security screening stations via a Skybridge on the terminal's Level 4. The terminals are further organized into letters, with Terminal 4 having A~D gates, and Terminal 3 having E & F gates. Terminal 4 is connected by comfortable moving walkways and pathways. All international arrivals exit out into the public areas from customs and are re-screened by security personnel to re-enter into the boarding gates for their onward flights. However, Terminal 3 requires travel by foot, so please be prepared. Nevertheless, assistance is available for people with mobility needs in both terminals.

Sleep

There are no hotels on the airport grounds or attached to the terminal buildings. Closest to being "airport hotels" are the Aloft and Crowne Plaza (see below) as they are nearest to the SkyTrain and Valley Metro 44th/Washington St Light Station in the northeastern corner of the airport grounds. There are additional other hotels further north along 44th St between Washington and SR-202. A number of them do offer direct shuttle connections to Terminals 3 & 4 and some to the Rental Car Center at the opposite corner of the airport grounds:

1 Aloft Phoenix Airport (Marriott Hotel), 4450 East Washington St (NE of the intersection of 44th & Washington), ☏ +1 602-275-6300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 2 Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport (IHG Hotel), 4300 East Washington St (NW of the intersection of 44th & Washington, next to light rail station), ☏ +1 602-273-7778. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 3 Double Tree (Hilton Hotel), 320 North 44th St (NW of 44th St & E Van Buren St), ☏ +1 602-225-0500. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 4 Hampton Inn Phoenix-Airport North (Hilton Hotel), 601 North 44th St (NE of 44th St & Gateway Blvd), ☏ +1 602-267-0606, fax: +1 602-267-9767. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. Offers free 24-hour airport shuttle, complimentary breakfast, high speed internet and spacious rooms. 5 Radisson (Choice Hotels), 427 North 44th St (NE of N 44th St & E Polk St/Gateway Blvd), ☏ +1 602 661-3160. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. 6 Residence Inn Phoenix Airport (Marriott Hotel), 801 North 44th St, ☏ +1 602-273-9220. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Extended stay accommodations include full size kitchens and free internet. Complimentary hot breakfast buffet served daily. (updated Apr 2015) Note: Washington St goes east-west and it divides the area between "North" and "South". Therefore, 44th becomes "North 44th St" north of Washington and "South 44th St" south