Traveling at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, known as America’s Friendliest Airport, will be a breeze with this helpful guide. From information on airport parking to a map of the terminals, we have all the details you need to make your trip as smooth as possible. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is located in the heart of Phoenix, just three miles from downtown. The airport serves more than 40 million passengers each year and is a hub for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. There are three main terminals at Phoenix Sky Harbor: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and the International Terminal. Terminal 2 is home to American Airlines, while Terminal 3 houses Southwest Airlines and other domestic carriers. The International Terminal, located on the north side of the airport, is used for international flights. Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, we have all the information you need to make your trip through Phoenix Sky Harbor as smooth as possible including airport parking at Sky Harbor.
Reminders for Before You Leave
To make your life easier when you get to Sky Harbor, follow these few tips before you head out!
- Make sure the name on your plane ticket matches the name on your driver’s license or any other form of government identification you may be using when traveling.
- Check your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight if traveling within the US and three hours for international travel.
- Check the weight of your luggage to avoid any extra fees at the airport and pack larger quantities of liquids and gels in your checked luggage to avoid any hold-ups at security.
- Know what items you can and cannot bring on the plane, refer to the TSA list of prohibited items.
- Have an airport parking plan
Public Transportation to Sky Harbor Airport
If you will not be using airport parking there are a few options to get to the airport through public transportation. The Valley Metro bus route 13 runs near the operations building which is located west of Terminal three. Bus Route 44 is another option that arrives at the airport at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station. If you are located in Phoenix, Tempe, or Mesa you can also use the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station which is a direct connection to Valley Metro Rail. You can learn more about public transportation to the airport here. We will also go into short-term and long-term parking options at the airport later in the article as well.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Security
There are TSA checkpoints located in each terminal of the airport. There are a few that are open 24/7 and others that do not operate 24/7. Below is a list of locations where you can go through security and their hours of operation according to the airport's website:
- Terminal 3 – Open 24 hours
- Terminal 4, Checkpoint A – Open 24 hours
- Terminal 4, Checkpoint B – 4:15 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.
- Terminal 4, Checkpoint C – 3:15 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.
- Terminal 4, Checkpoint D – 3:15 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.
If you are a CLEAR member, there are dedicated locations for their members that also have differing hours of operation. You can find CLEAR lanes at the following terminals at the following times:
- Terminal 3: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Terminal 4:
- Checkpoint A : 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Checkpoint C: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Flying Internationally at Sky Harbor Airport
If you are flying internationally at Sky Harbor airport, there are a few tips you will want to take into account. One main amenity international travelers look for is currency exchange locations at the airport. There are no currency exchange locations at Sky Harbor airport, so it is important to ensure you have other plans if you need money exchange. If you arriving from an international flight, you will most likely land in terminal 4, level 3. You will then be guided to customs before getting your luggage from baggage claim. Here are a few tips shared from the airport's website for international travelers:
- To enter the United States by air, all travelers, including citizens, must have valid passports.
- Passport and visa requirements of the country you are visiting are available at www.travel.state.gov.
- Register valuable items you are taking out of the United States with the U.S. Customs Port Director's Office, in the South Air Cargo Complex, 3002 E. Old Tower Road, Suite 400; (602) 914-1400.
- Read important travel information from Customs & Border Protection.
- Find out more about Global Entry, an initiative from Customs & Border Protection.
- Download the new Mobile Passport Control App for expedited entry into the United States from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Get health-related information for travelers, including vaccination requirements by the destination country, from the Centers for Disease Control.
- Information for passengers with duty-free liquids and connecting flights.
- Check the CBP Mobile Passport Control page for additional information on this app.
Where to Eat and Drink at Sky Harbor
There are many options at Sky Harbor International Airport, so how do you make the right decision when choosing where to eat from the myriad of restaurants? Whether you need a quick snack or want to enjoy a sit-down meal, there are plenty of options available at Sky Harbor! There are grab-and-go areas for a quick bite to eat or sit-down restaurants if you have time to have a good meal before your flight.
Here are a few restaurants coveted as the “best restaurants” at the Phoenix airport:
- SanTan Brewing: This is a good spot to stop if you want to grab a beer and some pub grub like a salty pretzel
- Chelsea’s Kitchen: Make a stop at Chelsea’s Kitchen pre-security and grab some taco platters made with locally sourced veggies
- Olive & Ivy: This spot is perfect if you are looking for Mediterranean-influenced dishes as well as quick snacks such as smoothies and parfaits
Here is a list of some more of the top spots to grub based on their location.
Hotel Options near Phoenix Airport
There are a few Phoenix airport hotels that are within 10 miles of the airport. Sometimes last-minute flight changes cause the need for a hotel room. While there are no on-site airport options available, there are many comfortable hotel options that are made for those traveling out of Phoenix and may even offer shuttles to and from the airport. The official website has a list of hotels near the airport as well as their information to make a reservation.
Traveling with Pets at Sky Harbor
If you are traveling with pets out of Sky Harbor, there are a few pet relief stations located throughout the airport. There is the Pad & Paw station which is located in Terminal 3 level one outside of the terminal in the West plaza and the Boneyard is located in Sky Harbor Terminal 4 level one just outside of baggage claim. If you are taking public transportation to the airport, there are also pet-relief options located near the PHX Sky Train stations. There is the Easy Economy Park & Bark which is located by the East Economy parking garages and the Park 'n Play is located on the northwest corner of the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station. There are also a few areas post-security located in Terminal 3 on both the South and North concourse and in Terminal 4 in the D1-D8 gates concourse near the Family Restroom, in the D11-D18 gates concourse near the restrooms and the B1-B14 gates concourse near the restrooms at Gate B2. This resource is a great guide to look over provided by the Federal Aviation Administration that goes over all you need to know about flying with pets including going through security, what to expect with service animals, and what to expect while on your flight.
Baggage Claim at Sky Harbor
Knowing how baggage claim works at specific hotels is definitely a great way to reduce anxiety and get home quickly when you arrive at Sky Harbor. Bagge claim is located in Sky Harbor Terminal 4 on level one. This is also the terminal and level for arrival pick-ups and ground transportation. There is an inter-terminal train known as the PHX sky train that travels between Terminal 3 and the Valley Metro Rail Station, which also makes stops at Terminal 4 and the East economy parking lot throughout its route. This is a great option to use when transferring between terminals while at the airport.
Know your Sky Harbor Airport Parking Options
Some short-term airport parking options at Sky Harbor International Airport include:
Hourly and Daily Parking at Sky Harbor
Daily and hourly parking options are available at the Phoenix Airport, all within walking distance of the airport terminals.
For on-site airport parking, you can reserve a spot online here. After choosing a check-in and check-out time and date you will be given a list of parking options and their related fees. Hourly parking averages $6 per hour.
The Parking Spot
The Parking Spot is another lot near Sky Harbor International Airport that also offers daily and long-term airport parking.
- Airport shuttles are available 24/7 to provide transportation to and from the airport.
- Daily rates are $14.75 per day for covered parking.
All short-term parking reservations can be made on their website. Long-term airport parking at Sky Harbor can be made through STOW IT.
Park n' Fly
Park n’ Fly provides a similar service as what The Parking Spot offers. This lot is close to the airport and provides a shuttle service to and from the airport.
- Daily rates are $10.95 for uncovered parking and $12.95 per day for covered parking.
Reservations can be made ahead of time on their website.
Long-Term Airport Parking Options at Sky Harbor Airport
STOW IT IT’s partnership with The Parking Spot allows customers to access long-term parking, storage, and shuttle services from the airport. With STOW IT's monthly airport parking at Sky Harbor, you will be paying around $6.00 per day at the monthly rate. This is a great option for long-term travelers who need monthly or yearly parking. Other options like Sky Harbor’s parking garages charge high rates that are simply unaffordable for long-term parking.
STOW IT’s parking option allows you to conveniently drive yourself to the airport and leaves your car safe and secure while you are away. The cost of parking and convenience makes this a no-brainer!
Ultimately, there are many ways to make your stop at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as easy as possible. Whether it comes to knowing the best spot to eat at or reserving a long-term parking spot through STOW IT these tips will help save time and money on your next trip to the Phoenix airport.