Everything you need to know about traveling to Phoenix International Sky Harbor Airport and getting around it.
In this guide:
- Getting to Phoenix Airport
- Arriving at the airport
- Phoenix Airport Check-In
- PHX Airport Security
- Boarding & Connecting Flights at PHX
- Phoenix Airport Restaurants: Where to Eat?
- Museums at Phoenix Airport
- Childrens’ activities at Sky Harbor Airport
- Phoenix Airport WiFi
- Additional Info for the Pet Friendly
Arriving & Checking In
Address: 3400 Sky Hbr Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034
Getting to Phoenix Airport
Whether you’re driving yourself or using public transportation such as buses, shuttles, or trains, reaching PHX is straightforward. If you’re driving, it’s best to reserve a lot space in advance. GPS navigation will get you to your reserved space seamlessly. Choose from convenient on-site parking or budget-friendly PHX off-site airport parking options, many of which provide a shuttle service for effortless terminal transfers.
Arriving at the airport
How early to get to PHX depends on the time of your flight and the airline you’ve booked to fly with:
- Passengers for domestic flights should arrive at the airport two hours before departure.
- Travelers on international flights should aim to get to the airport three hours before departure.
To avoid delays when traveling during the peak summer periods, we recommend arriving in plenty of time in accordance with your flight departure.
Phoenix Airport Check-In
For a smooth departure from Sky Harbor Airport, check your airline’s specific check-in requirements ahead of time, as policies may vary. The most accurate information can be found by contacting your airline directly.
Whenever possible, take advantage of online check-in to save time and skip long lines at the airport. Completing this step early ensures a hassle-free start to your journey, allowing you to focus on your upcoming travel plans.
Phoenix Airport Security Screening
Once checked in, head to PHX security screening to reach the departure lounge.
For a smoother departure from PHX Airport, we recommend arriving early to allow ample time for security screening. Wait times can fluctuate, especially during peak travel periods like early mornings, holidays, and the summer season. Planning ahead ensures a stress-free start to your journey.
Boarding & Connecting Flights at PHX
Connecting flights at Sky Harbor Airport? Staying updated on your next flight is essential. Check digital flight displays and airline apps regularly for real-time gate and departure information.
For those with checked luggage, verify if re-checking is necessary and review your airline’s baggage policies. Additionally, ensure you have all required boarding passes, as some connecting flights may require a new one. A bit of advance planning can help make your transfer smooth and stress-free.
Facilities & Services
Phoenix Airport Restaurants: Where to Eat?
Phoenix Airport is often said to have the best restaurant choices for travelers. Rather than having a food court stacked with the same old chain restaurants, PHX has integrated a lot of locally known eateries into its restaurant lineup. The following selections will help you get started in finding the right meal for you.
If chicken & waffles sound appetizing, you can find it at Lo-Lo’s located in Terminal 4 in the B Wing. Lo-Lo’s has southern style food that will kill the hunger pangs of the most starved traveler. This all-day breakfast eatery serves up mouth-watering dishes such as the “Baby Ray,” consisting of three pieces of chicken over two waffles topped with onion infused gravy. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can drop the poultry and go for the “D.Mann” which combines fish and waffles. A number of barbecue-flavored plates are available as well.
NYPD Pizza (New York Pizza Department), located in Terminal 2, serves pies and slices in the Big Apple style. Full pizzas are available in many different sizes to accommodate your traveling group. You can choose from thin crust or a thicker Sicilian deep-dish crust. Prices range from around $8 to $27 for the full pizza pie. One popular choice here is the Veganizza: with vegan cheese, basil, Roma tomatoes and spinach. For those who want something meatier, there is the Mott Street Meat Lover, which has sausage, pepperoni, and meatballs.
Matt’s Big Breakfast, located in Terminal 4, is a diner-style restaurant that frequent flyers keep coming back to. As the name suggests, they serve breakfast all day long. Breakfast lovers will enjoy hearty meals such as the Salami Scramble, or the homemade Griddlecakes. They also have lunch items such as the Tossed Cobb salad or the Big Butter Burger. Another attractive feature is that they offer bottomless coffee so that you can get all the caffeine you need.
Four Peaks Brewing Company, also located in Terminal 4, is another of the airport’s favorites. They serve the standard burgers and fries combos with beer, but also have a lot more to offer. For breakfast, you can get a satisfying plate of french toast, or a picturesque fruit plate. If you need some hot sauce to burn your taste buds, don’t forget to try the Arizona Gunslinger sauce.
For more eating options, check out our extensive blog on Phoenix Airport Restaurants: 9 Best Dining Spots.
Museums at Phoenix Airport
PHX maintains one of the largest airport museums in the country so it’s a great way to spend time. The airport collection, located throughout the terminals, has received numerous awards and recognition for its extensive collection. The art collection is found throughout the terminals with an extensive art gallery on the third floor of Terminal 4.
Art is rotated out on a regular basis, so every time you go PHX you are likely to have new pieces to view. You can easily kill a couple of hours of wait time browsing the 600 or more exhibits.
Childrens’ activities at Sky Harbor Airport
If your traveling party includes younger children, you can take them to one of the playgrounds in the terminals.
- Terminal 2: The playground can be found at the southernmost point of the concourse.
- Terminal 3: The play area in Terminal 3 is located in the South Concourse.
- Terminal 4: The play area in Terminal 4 is located between Gates 15 and 28.
Phoenix Airport WiFi
Sky Harbor Airport provides complimentary free Wi-Fi access throughout all public areas. Due to large-scale use of the Wi-Fi, however, connectivity can be affected in crowded areas and it is often spotty and unreliable. So, don’t expect to entertain yourself on the net while you’re waiting for your flight.
Additional Info for the Pet Friendly
Travelers with pets will find that Sky Harbor Airport is a great pit stop for animals. There are pet parks outside of the terminals (pre-security) where you can take your furry friend for a walk or a bathroom break.
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