Phoenix flights and travel guide

More than 325 sunny days a year, an average temperature of nearly 30 degrees, and a name evoking a legendary firebird, it's no wonder Phoenix is a hot destination.

Thousands of snowbirds and golfers seek cheap flights to Phoenix for its near-perfect climate and endless fairways. It's no resthome destination however, Phoenix has a fiery cultural side too. The United States' fifth-largest city - made up of almost 24 smaller cities - has a wealth of art tours, museums, galleries and festivals, sizzling cuisine and excellent shopping.

Culture vultures will know it as the home of the the Heard Museum, which preserves Native American culture, and the Phoenix Art Museum, the Southwest's largest museum. Its 17,000 pieces of artwork span centuries and disciplines - from Asian to European art, fashion design to photography.

To get out into the non-conditioned air, visit the Desert Botanical Garden or climb Piestewa Peak, part of the Phoenix Mountains Park. Open between 5am and 11pm, a dawn stroll or sunset hike will help you escape the sun at its hottest.

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Phoenix climate

The climate is arid, with very hot summers and mild winters. For almost a third of the year - from June through September - temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). Not much rain falls on Phoenix, but those considering booking cheap flights to Phoenix should note that high humidity levels between July and mid-September can result in heavy showers and flooding.

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When to fly to Phoenix

Peak Season:
The best time to book cheap flights to Phoenix is between October and April. This is when temperatures are comfortable and there are plenty of cultural events taking place such as the Coors Rodeo Showdown, Cowboy Artists of America Sale and Exhibition and Phoenix Open (Scottsdale).

Off Season:
The high summer temperatures make visiting Phoenix a challenge. Locals move from one air-conditioned space to the other, venturing out either early in the morning or late at night. Late summer is monsoon season too. Visitors can expect late-afternoon thunderstorms and flash floods are a possibility.

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Getting downtown Phoenix

Travellers who have disembarked their cheap flights to Phoenix will find the Rental Car Center at 1805 E. Sky Harbor Circle South. A shuttle will take passengers to the centre. It's open 24/7. Limos, taxis and scheduled vans are readily available. Limos charge by zone - $35 for Zone A, $85 for Zone F. Taxis charge a minimum fare of $15. SuperShuttle operates an airport-to-door service and charge a flat rate to each area.

Phoenix Transit Bus - Red Line and #13 provide transportation to/from the airport and throughout the metropolitan area . A free airport shuttle bus will take visitors from the airport terminals to the light rail transfer station at 44th Street and Washington.

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Getting around Phoenix

You’ll want a car to get around Phoenix, since the city and its surrounding towns cover more than 644 square kilometres. Parking is free outside of downtown Phoenix, although it may take you a while to find a spot in Old Scottsdale or popular shopping areas. Make sure you read the fine print when you’re renting your car. Taxes and surcharges can increase your rental rate nearly 50 percent. Get around town for free on the city’s Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) service. These free buses cover downtown routes during the week from 6:30am to 5:30pm. DASH is meant for downtown commuters, not tourists, but the buses do go by Heritage Square and the Arizona Capitol Museum. The public buses, Valley Metro, are more useful for commuters than it is for tourists.

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Phoenix insider information

• The Desert Botanical Garden, near the Phoenix Zoo, is a fantastic place to see almost 140 rare, endangered plant species from around the world. The Sybil B. Harrington Cactus and Succulent Galleries have a dazzling display of cacti.
• If you're planning on taking cheap flights to Phoenix, try to time them around Arizona Restaurant Week (September). About 100 restaurants take part in the event, offering three-course dinners from $30 or so per person, $60 per couple.
• Chase Field is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The field has a swimming pool along the outfield fence that fans can rent to watch the games while relaxing in the water. It is said to be the only Major League ballpark with a pool and spa in right field.
• Scottsdale is a mere 25-minute drive from Phoenix. The city has more than 100 art galleries. ArtWalks take place every Thursday evening, year-round (except for Thanksgiving) between 7-9pm. It's a wonderful way to visit the galleries and learn about featured artists. At certain times of the year, the Scottsdale Gallery Association holds Special Event ArtWalks with live music.
• About an hour's drive from Phoenix, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum displays plants from the world's deserts and dry lands. There are approximately 3,200 different desert plants within the arboretum. The main trail, where most of them can be seen, runs to about 2.5km.
• Old Tucson Studios, just outside Tucson, is a little bit of Hollywood in the desert. The studios have been the setting for some of the finest Western films including Tombstone and Rio Bravo. The Reno locomotive alone has more than 100 film and television credits. Tucson is a couple of hours' drive from Phoenix.

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Phoenix airports

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