Closest Airport to Scottsdale, AZ & How to Get Around Scottsdale
Planning a trip to Arizona and wondering which airport is closest to Scottsdale, AZ? I have friends who live outside of Scottsdale and have visited this amazing city on more than one occasion.
Based on my own travels, I can tell you that getting to this Arizona gem is surprisingly straightforward. Scottsdale is a breezy destination, rich with stunning landscapes and luxury.
This guide will reveal the closest airport to Scottsdale, AZ, offer insights on getting around, and share tips to make your vacation unforgettable.
Let’s dive into making your journey to this desert oasis as smooth as possible!
Tips to Navigating Scottsdale Airports:
✈️ The closest major airport to Scottsdale is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
🚗 Phoenix & Scottsdale are about 12 miles apart. It can be an easy Uber or Lyft ride.
💸Scottsdale Airport is ideal for corporate jet travel.
Closest Airport to Scottsdale, AZ
The closest major airport to Scottsdale, AZ, is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The airport is 7 miles from downtown Scottsdale and about a 20-minute drive depending on traffic.
However, technically, the closest airport to Scottsdale is Scottsdale Airport. It is conveniently located nine miles north of downtown Scottsdale.
The Scottsdale Airport services private and corporate flights, but unfortunately, it does not offer flights with commercial airlines. So unless you are chartering a flight, you will most likely be flying into Phoenix.
Airports Near Scottsdale
There are 14 airports near Scottsdale, I have split them up by your major international airports, commercial airports, and the general aviation and public airports.
Major International airports near Scottsdale, AZ
- 14 miles: Phoenix, AZ (PHX / KPHX) Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- 126 miles: Tucson, AZ (TUS / KTUS) Tucson International Airport
Other Commercial Airports Near Scottsdale, AZ
- 30 miles: Mesa, AZ (AZA / KIWA / IWA) Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport: offers commercial flights to more than 45 destinations.
- 107 miles: Prescott, AZ (PRC / KPRC) Prescott Municipal Airport, Ernest A. Love Field: the only major commercial airline that flies in and out of Prescott is United Airlines.
- 146 miles: Flagstaff, AZ (FLG / KFLG) Flagstaff Pulliam Airport: serviced by American Eagle and United Express, and is also used for general aviation.
- 168 miles: Show Low, AZ (SOW / KSOW) Show Low Regional Airport: used for general aviation and commercial services provided by Southern Airways Express
General Aviation & Public Use Local Airports Near Scottsdale, AZ
- 10 miles: Scottsdale, AZ (SCF / KSDL / SDL) Scottsdale Airport
- 16 miles: Mesa, AZ (MSC) Falcon Field
- 17 miles: Chandler, AZ (SLJ / KSLJ / P19) Stellar Airpark
- 22 miles: Chandler, AZ (KCHD / CHD) Chandler Municipal Airport
- 23 miles: Phoenix, AZ (DVT / KDVT) Phoenix Deer Valley Airport: relieves air traffic from Sky Harbor Airport.
- 36 miles: Glendale, AZ (KGEU / GEU) Glendale Municipal Airport
- 37 miles: Phoenix, AZ (GYR / KGYR) Phoenix Goodyear Airport
- 48 miles: Casa Grande, AZ (CGZ / KCGZ) Casa Grande Municipal Airport
What Airport Should I Fly into For Scottsdale, AZ
Despite the numerous options of airports near Scottsdale, you are most likely going to book your flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. That is unless you are taking a corporate jet to Scottsdale Airport.
The Phoenix Airport is a solid choice to book your flight. It offers nonstop service to more than 100 domestic and 23 international destinations.
JetSuite X
Another option you can look into when flying to Scottsdale is with JetSuite X. If you haven’t heard of JSX before, it is a hop-on jet service that is a public charter operator.
It is much more affordable than other charter flights, but you still get the luxury perks of private air travel. For example, avoid long TSA lines and only need to arrive 20 minutes before your flight.
JetSuite X offers flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. To make a reservation or to view flights you can check out their website here.
Tips for Booking Your Flight to Scottsdale
When planning your trip to Scottsdale, book your flights as soon as possible, especially during peak season, which is in the spring. My husband traveled there at the end of May for a bachelor party and booked his flight about a month in advance. He ended up paying $800-$900 for his airline tickets from California. Insane.
To help prevent that from happening to you too, search Skyscanner for a quick and easy way to compare prices from other airlines and providers to find the cheapest price for your flight. Also, you can sign up for price alerts and keep an eye on your chosen flight. And don’t be like my husband and book last minute 😂
Another tip would be to check prices with JetSuite X, they have flights arriving and departing from Phoenix Airport. It was actually cheaper for my husband to book a flight with them than to book with a commercial airline.
How to Get From Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale
You can get from the Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale by bus, car, and light rail. Depending on how many people are in your group or if you are traveling on a budget, you can decide on the best form of transportation for you.
How Long is the Drive From Scottsdale To Phoenix
The drive from Scottsdale to Phoenix is an easy one. Phoenix is only 12 miles from Scottsdale and roughly a 25-minute drive depending on traffic. Traveling by car is the fastest way to get from Scottsdale to Phoenix. You can either rent a car or reserve an Uber or Lyft at the airport.
How Much Does an Uber Cost From Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale
According to Uber.com, the average trip price to get from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Scottsdale is $38.00 to $66.00. These trip prices can vary, depending on several factors, including the availability of Ubers, time of day, and when demand increases.
Public Transportation From Phoenix Airport to Scottsdale
If you are on a budget, public transportation would be the cheapest way to travel to Scottsdale from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. You could either take the bus or the Valley Metro Light Rail.
The light rail does not go into Scottsdale, you would need to transfer from the light rail to Bus 50 at Camelback Road and 3rd Avenue. You can buy a day pass with Valley Metro for $4 for unlimited rides on the bus and light rail.
How to Get Around Scottsdale
Once you arrive in Scottsdale, you will have plenty of options to get around Old Town, the neighboring cities, or even a day trip to visit the beautiful rock formations at Antelope Canyon.
You can get around Scottsdale by trolley, car, e-bike, rideshare, walking, and party bike. Or you can even get around the city by renting a golf cart taxi with JoyRidesAZ.
Do You Need a Car to Get Around Scottsdale?
You do not need a rental car to get around Scottsdale. It is a very walkable city if you are staying in Old Town. Most of the restaurants, cafes, shops, and bars are just steps away from your accommodations. Or if you are located nearby in Tempe or Paradise Valley, Ubers and Lyfts are available to get around as well.
However, if you plan on visiting more locations in Arizona, such as Sedona, the Grand Canyon, and Antelope Canyon, then I suggest renting a car.
Scottsdale Trolley
Riding the Scottsdale Trolley is also an awesome way to get around the city during the week. The trolley is free to ride and offers three fixed routes with connections to Valley Metro Transit (Phoenix’s public transportation) and the Tempe Orbit.
The trolleys run every 20 minutes and operate Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Party Bike Pub Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale
For a fun and unique way to get around Scottsdale, book a party bike for your group! It is a two-hour pub crawl of Old Town Scottsdale. You will visit three pubs, where you’ll receive exclusive drink specials.
We booked the Party Bike Pub Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale with our groups of friends and had an amazing time! We had so much fun blasting our music while we got to pedal around Scottsdale to the different pubs.
“Captain John was amazing! It was such a fun experience! We had the time of our lives! We loved it, and will do it again every single time we visit Scottsdale. The bars we visited great too!” – Candace O (Read more reviews)
Electric Bikes
Cruise around Scottsdale on an electric bike. In the fall of 2022, Lime Bikes launched a fleet of 100 e-bikes in Scottsdale. If you download the Lime app you can search for an available electric bike nearby to rent and explore downtown.
Plan a Day Trip to the Famous Antelope Canyon
There are plenty of awesome day trips you can plan from Scottsdale. One is the Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Adventure.
Your local guide will pick you up from your Scottsdale accommodations and take you on a journey to discover the geological wonder of Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. Exploring the world-famous slot canyons is a one-of-a-kind experience!
Also, you can only tour and see Antelope Canyon with an authorized tour company because it is protected by the Navajo Parks and Recreation.
“This tour was great! This is not something we could have done on our own so the tour was perfect! Cody was a great tour guide, and we were in a small group so it was amazing! Book this tour!” – Mari S. (Read more reviews)
Is Scottsdale a Walking City
If you want to walk around Scottsdale, it is best to stick to Old Town Scottsdale, which is a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
The area offers nine walkable districts with numerous hotels, restaurants, shops, and other attractions you can reach on foot. It is also a great home base for a location to stay when visiting Scottsdale, AZ. Here is a great walking map of Old Town Scottsdale with the nine walkable districts.
Frequently Asked Questions: Scottsdale
Is Scottsdale Worth Visiting
Scottsdale, AZ, is arguably one of the best cities to see in the country and is definitely worth a visit! It has the makings of everything you need for an incredible weekend getaway.
From its luxurious accommodations, epic natural beauty, buzz-worthy restaurants, over 200 golf courses, and it offers plenty of other activities you can enjoy doing while there. Scottsdale, Arizona, is the destination to visit!
Is Scottsdale Arizona Closer to Phoenix or Tucson
Scottsdale is located closer to Phoenix than Tucson. Tucson, Arizona, is located 113 miles south of Scottsdale and is roughly a two-hour drive.
How Far Apart are Scottsdale and Phoenix
Scottsdale and Phoenix share a 10-mile border and are 12 miles apart from each other, which is about a 20 to 30-minute drive. You can travel between cities either by car or public transit.
What is the Best Month to Visit Scottsdale, AZ
If you are planning a trip to the desert city, the best month to visit Scottsdale, AZ, is April. April offers some of Scottsdale’s most pleasant weather, with warm sunny days and little to no rain. In April, the average high is 84° Fahrenheit, and the average low is 49° Fahrenheit.
You can still experience optimal weather and enjoy activities outdoors from late September through November and March through early May.
Summertime in Scottsdale is unbearably hot, with temperatures averaging in the triple digits. The months of June to August are the least busy time of year to visit Scottsdale.
In Conclusion: Closest Airport to Scottsdale, AZ & How to Get Around Scottsdale
In conclusion, the closest airport to Scottsdale is Scottsdale Airport. However, the one you going to be looking to book your flight is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Scottsdale is an easy to get around city, which is why it is such a great and popular destination to visit!
