6+ hours at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - Header image

6+ hours at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Maeve Power
Spend your 6+ hour layover exploring the city or the surrounding area instead of sitting in the terminal. Check out these options for a longer layover at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Spend your 6+ hour layover exploring the city or the surrounding area instead of sitting in the terminal. Check out these options for a longer layover at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Head downtown

If you have a longer layover, take advantage of your extra time and go explore the local area. Downtown Phoenix is located 3.7 miles from the airport and is well connected via public transport links. Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona. The city is best known for the heat (Phoenix has an average of 300 days of sun every year!) but is also the cultural and economic hub of the state. The city boosts lots of great museums, beautiful parks and delicious restaurants throughout. For more details on what to do during your layover in Phoenix visit the Lonely Planet’s guide to Phoenix. And don’t forget to bring your sun screen!

Avoid downtown

If you have a longer layover but don’t want to spend it in the city center, there are plenty of options in the area around the airport. Head east from the airport to Papago Park and enjoy an outdoor adventure during your layover. The park features a botanical garden, hiking trails that will bring you to impressive natural rock formations and the phoenix zoo. The park is located 3.6 miles from the airport. Grab a taxi from the terminal as public transport links will take over an hour to get to the park.

Transport Options

Train: Metro trains connect the airport to downtown. The train will get you downtown in approx. 20 minutes. C Catch the train from the Valley Metro Rail Station, which you can get to using the free PHX SkyTrain.Bus: The Valley Metro City bus route connect the airport to downtown Phoenix. Catch the bus from the Valley Metro Rail Station, which you can get to using the free PHX SkyTrain. For more details on fares and schedules visit the website.

Overnight Layover?

If you have an overnight layover at PHX and want to get a good night’s rest, there are many hotel options located close to the airport. The Hyatt Place Tempe Phoenix Airport is located 8 minutes’ drive from the airport and features a fitness center, an indoor pool and a complimentary shuttle bus to the airport between 05:00 and 23:00. The Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Airport is another great option, also located just an 8 minutes’ drive from the airport. The hotel also features a fitness center with a pool and a free airport shuttle available on demand.

Luggage Storage

As with most airports in the US, there are no luggage storage facilities available at Phoenix International Airport. If you have a layover at PHX and want to store your luggage try these options:
  • Ask at the airport information desk for recommendations on nearby luggage storage facilities. 
  • If you are heading downtown, check for luggage storage lockers at bus and train terminals.
  • Use Google to find a luggage storage service. There are lots of apps and websites that offer luggage storage options in large cities across the US.
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