Cheap Car Rentals at Phoenix Airport

Tips when renting a car at Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

• Note that prices rise during peak travel seasons, such as spring break, winter snowbird season, and major sporting events like NFL and NCAA football games, NBA basketball games, and PGA golf tournaments. Book early!
• In Arizona, you can drive with a valid driver’s license from your own country, so long as your stay is less than seven months. With that said, you may also want to obtain an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to keep alongside your license. Even if you have your IDP on hand, you will also need to present your actual license when asked for a valid driver’s license.
• You will find many rental car offices at and around the airport, especially at the official PHX Rental Car Center near the I-10/I-17 interchange. The PHX SkyTrain operates 24 hours daily and connects Terminals 3 and 4 to the Rental Car Center. 
• While you can find many more rental car offices across Maricopa County, make sure you know where you’re going if you plan to pick up a rental car farther away from the airport. If in doubt, you can save yourself time and peace of mind by picking it up at the airport.
• Planning to drive out of state/country and use any toll roads? Ask your rental agency how they handle fees.
• Pick the right car for your journey. Smaller cars will be more efficient on busy city streets, while SUVs or all-wheel-drive vehicles are more suitable for trips outside the city, especially if you’re planning road trips to rural areas like Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
• Inspect the car and take photos at pickup and drop-off.
• Though winter snowfall hardly ever happens in Phoenix, tire chains may be required when driving into high desert and mountain areas with colder climates. 

Why Rent a Car at Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Once off the plane (and past U.S. Customs), visitors will find designated passenger pick-up areas outside Terminals 3 and 4 for rideshare services, as well as the PHX SkyTrain to connect to the aforementioned Rental Car Center and the closest Valley Metro train station.

Since the airport is close to the I-10, I-17, US 60, and SR 51 freeways, you can store your luggage in the trunk and start driving wherever you want to go. It’s ideal for travellers with children, on a tight schedule, or planning to visit multiple destinations. While the Phoenix metro region has made some improvements in mass transit access, service remains limited outside central Phoenix and Tempe. Beyond Maricopa County, train and bus services can be even more sparse. Having your own car lets you reach more places with ease.

Driving from Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) – Getting Started

As noted earlier, PHX connects to multiple freeways, including major thoroughfares like I-10, I-17, and SR 51, and these make it easier to access Arizona’s larger freeway and highway network. Depending on traffic, you should be able to reach Downtown Phoenix in about 10-20 minutes, the Camelback Corridor resort district in about 20-40 minutes, and 40-60 minutes to North Scottsdale and the northern end of Phoenix. 

Whichever route you take, budget yourself plenty of time to get there, as Phoenix metro area traffic can get very heavy at times. And if you’re thinking of driving into Mexico, check with your rental car agency in advance for rules, restrictions, and requirements (like special insurance coverage and a temporary vehicle importation permit). 

Common routes include:

• Downtown Phoenix – About 10-20 minutes via local streets
• Tempe/Arizona State University (ASU) – About 15-30 minutes via I-10 east
• Old Town Scottsdale – About 20-40 minutes via I-10 west and SR 202 east
• Chandler – 20-30 minutes via I-10 east and SR 202 east
• Goodyear/Litchfield Park – 35-70 minutes via I-10 west
• Tucson – 1.5-3 hours via I-10 east
• Prescott – 2-3 hours via I-17 north and SR 69 north
• Sedona – 2-3.5 hours via I-17 north and SR 89A north 
• Flagstaff – 2-3 hours via I-17 north
• Grand Canyon National Park – 3.5-5 hours via I-17 north, I-40 west, and SR 64 north
• Lake Havasu City – 3.5-4.5 hours via I-10 and SR 95 north
• Puerto Peñasco (Sonora, Mexico) – 4-5.5 hours via I-10 west and SR 85 south

Inclement weather and heavy traffic can affect travel times, so use GPS or your favorite navigation app for real-time updates and road conditions. In addition, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has its own AZ 511 app available for download onto Apple and Android devices. If you’re driving into rural areas, cell service can be limited, so save and download directions before you start driving. And if you’re planning a trip to Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, and/or other mountain communities, you may need snow tire chains to drive during the winter season. 

Explore Phoenix and More of Arizona from PHX

In Phoenix and its suburbs, you can discover vibrant multicultural neighbourhoods, diverse and delectable cuisine, world-class luxury resorts, and legendary golf courses. Once you venture beyond Maricopa County, there’s even more of Arizona to experience, including the ethereal beauty of Sedona, the majestic mountains around Flagstaff, and the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Grand Canyon.

In and around Phoenix:

• Downtown Phoenix – In the past, Phoenix’s urban core may have looked like a bland collection of corporate and government offices, but it’s since grown into a lively hub of contemporary art, culinary culture, and professional sports
• Midtown & Uptown – To the north of Downtown lie some of Phoenix’s most reputable cultural institutions, such as the Phoenix Museum of Art and the Heard Museum, along with a funky mix of indie bookstores and eclectic restaurants
• Camelback Corridor – Between Uptown Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale, this area is jam-packed with luxury resorts, championship golf courses, fine restaurants, and the world-famous hiking trails at Camelback Mountain and Phoenix Mountains Park
• Old Town Scottsdale – While the historic heart of Scottsdale still has traces of its “Old West” past, it’s evolved into a more fashion-forward hub of chic boutiques, trendy restaurants, popping nightlife, and snazzy hotels
• Tempe – Home to the main ASU campus, Tempe also has a thriving downtown full of interesting bars and restaurants, along with a surprising amount of outdoor recreation opportunities at spots like Papago Park, “A” Mountain, and Tempe Town Lake

Recommended day trips and scenic routes:

• Wickenburg – Only about an hour north of Phoenix (depending on traffic) is a town that still abounds in dude ranches, classic Western culture, and open spaces like Hassayampa River Preserve
• Prescott – This mountain town is a nature lover’s paradise with parks and public lands like Granite Basin Recreation Area, Goldwater Lake, and Lynx Lake, and Downtown’s Whiskey Row is a fun spot for a nighttime pub crawl
• Sedona – Not only is the drive to Sedona a wondrous experience, but there’s even more to experience once you’re there, including the ethereal beauty of its sandstone red rock “vortexes” and its relaxing wellness-centric spa resorts
• Flagstaff – Not only is Northern Arizona University (NAU) located here, but it also has a fun and funky historic downtown, along with what may be the state’s best ski area at the Arizona Snowbowl
• Grand Canyon National Park – It’s a longer drive from the city, but this is one of the United States’ most beloved national parks thanks to its majestic colourful landscapes, its abundance in historic (and prehistoric) treasures, and its wide array of trails for hikers and walkers at all levels