Arizona Travel Guide

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International Travel

Getting There By Air

Flights to Arizona from the UK are offered by airlines including British Airways and US Airways. Cheap flights to Arizona are available during the summer, when the state endures searing heat.

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) (www.phoenix.gov/aviation) is 6km (4 miles) from the city center. To/from the airport: The airport is linked by a Valley Metro bus service (journey time - 20 minutes). Taxis are available. Facilities: ATMs and car hire. A state-of-the art light rail service is under construction and is expected to begin service December 2008, connecting Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with central Phoenix, Tempe and West Mesa.

Tucson International (TUS) (www.tucsonairport.org) is 16km (10 miles) from the city center. To/from the airport: Taxis and shared-ride vans that travel door-to-door run 24 hours a day; a local Sun Tran bus service is also available, although these are slow. Facilities: Bank, business services and car hire.

Getting There By Rail

Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245, in the USA only; www.amtrak.com) trains run from downtown Tucson, on the ‘Sunset Limited' and ‘Texas Eagle' line between Los Angeles and New Orleans. There is no rail link between Tucson and Phoenix, although an Amtrak Thruway bus service connects the cities. There is a service from Flagstaff on the ‘Southwest Chief' line between Los Angeles and Chicago. First-class sleeping cars can be reserved for an additional fee.

Rail Passes

USA Rail Pass: Available for 15 or 30 days unlimited travel within three different regions or across the entire USA for international visitors only.

Getting There By Road

Most major routes run east-west. Greyhound (tel: 1 800 231 2222, in the USA only; www.greyhound.com) runs buses to many destinations throughout the USA. Gray Line (www.graylinearizona.com) offers local sightseeing tours.

Approximate bus journey times:
From Phoenix to Los Angeles is 7 hours, to El Paso is 7 hours 45 minutes, and to San Diego is 8 hours.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Road

Driving around Arizona offers the best way to take in the state’s spectacular scenery. The speed limit on most interstate freeways is 75 miles per hour; it drops to 65 or 55 near metropolitan areas.

Road conditions are good, but beware of dust storms which can rapidly decrease road visibility or occasional heavy rainstorms, particularly during the summer monsoon season. It pays to be aware of hazard signs and roadblocks. Signs warning of flooding risks should be taken seriously and never cross a running creek.

Bus: Greyhound and Amtrak provide bus services in the state.