Arizona is a southwestern US state renowned for its dramatic desert landscapes, ancient Native American cultures, and iconic natural wonders. Home to the Grand Canyon, one of the world's most visited natural sites, Arizona offers visitors a stunning contrast of red rock formations in Sedona, towering saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert, forested mountains around Flagstaff, and the otherworldly mesas of Monument Valley.
- Getting to arizona
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is the primary gateway with non-stop flights from across the US, Canada, Mexico, and select European cities. Tucson and Flagstaff airports serve regional connections.
- Getting around arizona
- A rental car is the only practical way to see Arizona's highlights. Driving on right side, well-maintained interstates and scenic highways.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Phx To Downtown Phoenix
- Phx To Scottsdale
- Phx To Sedona
- Phx To Grand Canyon
- Tus To Downtown Tucson
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Phoenix Metro
- Light rail
- Valley Metro Rail serves Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler — 26 miles of track; $2 per ride
- Bus
- Valley Metro Bus covers the full metro area; journey planner at valleymetro.org
- Bike share
- Grid Bike Share available in Phoenix and Tempe; $3 per 30 minutes
- Scooters
- Bird and Lime scooters available in Tempe and parts of Phoenix
Tucson
- Bus
- Sun Tran covers most of Tucson; $1.75 per ride, day pass $3.50
- Bike share
- Tugo Bikeshare available in central Tucson
Sedona
- Shuttle
- Free Sedona Trolley covers the main visitor areas; reduces parking congestion
- Jeep tours
- Multiple operators offer 2-4 hour off-road tours of red rock country
Grand Canyon
- Shuttle
- Free South Rim shuttle buses; essential as parking is very limited
- Mule rides
- Mule trips to the canyon floor from Grand Canyon Village; book 6-14 months in advance
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Availability
- Taxis are available at airports and major hotels in Phoenix and Tucson; rare in smaller cities and rural areas
- Booking
- Can be hailed at airports; most require phone booking or app in other areas
- Tipping
- 15-20% is standard for taxi and rideshare drivers
- Rideshare Preferred
- Uber and Lyft are more widely used than traditional taxis in Arizona
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Phoenix To Tucson
- Distance
- 180km
- Car
- 2h on I-10
- Bus
- Greyhound 2.5h from $15
Phoenix To Flagstaff
- Distance
- 230km
- Car
- 2.5h on I-17
- Shuttle
- Arizona Shuttle 3h from $35
Phoenix To Sedona
- Distance
- 190km
- Car
- 2h via I-17/AZ-179
- Shuttle
- Arizona Shuttle 2.5h from $45
Phoenix To Grand Canyon
- Distance
- 360km
- Car
- 3.5-4h via I-17 then AZ-64
- Tour
- Day tours from $80
Flagstaff To Grand Canyon
- Distance
- 130km
- Car
- 1.5h via US-180 or AZ-64
Tucson To Tombstone
- Distance
- 100km
- Car
- 1.5h via AZ-80
Phoenix To Page
- Distance
- 430km
- Car
- 4h via US-89
- Connects to
- Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
A rental car is essential for exploring Arizona beyond Phoenix's urban core. The state's most iconic destinations — Grand Canyon, Sedona, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon — are accessible only by personal or tour vehicle. Phoenix has a useful light rail and bus network (Valley Metro), and Tucson has Sun Tran bus service, but neither extends to the major natural attractions. Distances between cities are long: Phoenix to Grand Canyon is 4 hours, Phoenix to Tucson is 2 hours. Plan for significant driving time on any Arizona road trip.
Airports
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Tucson International Airport
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber
Lyft
Valley Metro
Google Maps
GasBuddy
iOverlander
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Always carry extra water in the car — breakdowns in the desert heat can be dangerous
Fill up gas before entering Navajo Nation lands (Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly) — gas stations are scarce
Download offline Google Maps or Maps.me for areas with no cell coverage
The Grand Canyon shuttle system is free and comprehensive — leave the car at the visitor center lot
Sedona has very limited parking at popular trailheads; arrive before 8am or use the free Sedona Trolley
Highway US-89 from Flagstaff to Page passes through gorgeous scenery — allow extra time