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PHX

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix, United States

Where to start
PHX Sky Train + Valley Metro Light Rail

For downtown Phoenix, Tempe, or ASU, take the free PHX Sky Train (24/7) to the 44th St/Washington station and connect to Valley Metro light rail (~20–30 min downtown). For Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or the resort corridor you'll need rideshare, a taxi, or a pre-booked car — the light rail doesn't go there. Uber/Lyft pick up at dedicated curb zones (T3 East Curb of the Ground Transportation Center; T4 follow rideshare signs).

Ride Options

PHX Sky Train + Valley Metro Light Rail

transit

Affordable, traffic-proof trips to downtown Phoenix, Tempe, or ASU

AvailabilitySky Train runs 24/7 every 3–5 min; light rail runs frequently (thins out after midnight)
Pickup NoteTake the free Sky Train from your terminal to the 44th St/Washington station, then board Valley Metro light rail (~20–30 min to downtown). Does NOT reach Scottsdale.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door to Scottsdale, the resort corridor, and anywhere off the rail line

AvailabilityCommonly available; surge during spring training and the WM Phoenix Open
Pickup NoteT3 East Curb of the Ground Transportation Center; T4 follow rideshare signs. Enter terminal + door in the app.
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
Visit Website

Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare — compare wait and price with Uber

AvailabilityCommonly available; surge at peak events
Pickup NoteSame dedicated rideshare curb zones as Uber (T3 East Curb; T4 follow signs).
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
Visit Website

Waymo One (Driverless)

rideshare

A novel autonomous ride — PHX was the first airport to offer it

Availability24/7 via the Waymo One app, supply permitting
Pickup NoteCurbside at the T3 and T4 rideshare zones and the 24th St and 44th St Sky Train stations. Book in the Waymo One app.
Convenience
Relative costCost varies
Visit Website

Licensed Taxi

taxi

No-app door-to-door with a regulated meter

AvailabilityAvailable 24/7 at the official stands
Pickup NoteT3 north curb outside Door 7; T4 Level 1 north curb (Door 7) and south curb (Door 4).
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer — good for resorts or summer heat

AvailabilityAvailable at Phoenix Sky Harbor — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber/Lyft use dedicated curb zones: Terminal 3 at the East Curb of the Ground Transportation Center; Terminal 4 follow rideshare signs (some pickups route via the 24th St / East Economy side). Enter your terminal and door in the app.

Taxi

Regulated metered taxis at the official stands — T3 north curb outside Door 7; T4 Level 1 north curb (Door 7) and south curb (Door 4).

Shuttle

Hotel and resort shuttles depart from the lower level at each terminal.

Transit

Free PHX Sky Train (24/7, every 3–5 min) connects T3 and T4 to the 44th St/Washington light rail station; from there Valley Metro light rail reaches downtown Phoenix in ~20–30 min and continues to Tempe/ASU and Mesa.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars meet you in arrivals with a name sign — the more reliable choice for Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, the resort corridor, or in extreme summer heat.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • The light rail does NOT reach Scottsdale — for Old Town or the resort corridor (Phoenician, Kierland, Camelback) you need rideshare, a taxi, or a pre-booked car. It's the single biggest transit gap at PHX.
  • The PHX Sky Train is free and runs 24/7 — even at 2 a.m. it reaches the 44th St light rail station (trains thin out after midnight).
  • In summer (June–Sept, 105–118°F) rideshare waits get long and some drivers decline short curbside trips — a pre-booked car with AC and a set meet point is more reliable.
  • Rideshare surges hard during spring training (Feb–Mar), the WM Phoenix Open (early Feb), and big conventions — compare Uber and Lyft, or take the light rail.
  • Waymo driverless rides operate at PHX (a first for any airport) — pickup at the T3/T4 rideshare curbs and the 24th/44th St Sky Train stations, 24/7, via the Waymo One app.

Tarmyq local tip

If you're heading to a Scottsdale resort, don't count on transit — there's no rail to Scottsdale at all. In summer (110°F+), a pre-booked car that meets you and runs the AC beats waiting curbside for a rideshare that may not come.