Phoenix Sky Harbor is one of the USA's busiest airports, but it also aims to be one of the friendliest. Navigation is relatively easy, given that it only has two terminals (named terminal 3 and terminal 4). But, of course, that requires getting there first.

Getting to PHX

The airport is located just four miles from the downtown area, and there are plenty of options for transit to and from the city.

Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Public transportation

Two bus lines serve PHX - Valley Metro Route 13 and Route 44. Route 13 stops conveniently right at the Airport Operations building to the west of Terminal 3. Route 44 stops at the 44th Street Sky Train station, where passengers can connect on to the SkyTrain to the terminals.

The Sky Train

Phoenix Airport's Sky Train has been in operation since 2013, and was recently extended to include a connection to the rental car center. It's an automated people-mover that operates between Valley Metro Rail at 44th Street and Washington right to the terminals.

Trains arrive and depart every 3 - 5 minutes and operate 24 hours a day. Best of all, the service is completely free to use!

Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Even if you're driving your own car to PHX, chances are you'll jump on the Sky Train from your parking place too. The train stops at the East Economy Parking, at 24th Street Express Pay Parking and is accessible via a walkway from the West Economy Garage.

If you're arriving at the airport and are looking for the Sky Train, you'll find it in Terminal 3 on Level 5. In terminal 4, it's on Level 3.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft both operate at Phoenix Sky Harbor, with services available 24 hours a day. Pickup locations are as follows:

• Terminal 3: South outer curb, west end between doors 2 and 4
• Terminal 4: Level 1, north outer curb, far west end outside door 1
• Terminal 4: Level 1, south outer curb east end outside door 6 or door 8

Taxis and shuttles

Various taxi firms will pick up at PHX, including AAA/Yellow Cab, Mayflower Cab and VIP Taxi. These should be booked directly, and all operate on the same tariffs. The airport has also negotiated a flat rate of $17 for transfer to downtown Phoenix.

Pick up for cabs is outside door 7 at Terminal 3, and outside doors 6 and 7, level 1, at Terminal 4.

Various shuttle services are also available, both to and from hotels and to other Arizona cities. Visit the PHX website for full details on these.

Photo: Shutterstock

Private car

If you're driving to Phoenix, there is no shortage of options for parking at the airport. The cheapest option is the West Economy lot, which starts at $7 a day. Other parking facilities range from $10 up to $14 per day. Short-term parking is also available for $4 per hour.

There may be cheaper options if you're willing to park further away. A number of 3rd party lots offer parking from as little as $5 per day, usually with minibus shuttles to the Sky Train station.

Valet parking is available, but it's expensive. Think in the region of $39 per day, but if you're keen on the luxury treatment, it's the most convenient of all.

Getting around the airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor has some fantastic facilities, with more than 50 places to eat and at least 41 retail outlets to browse while you wait for your flight. Alongside this, there are lounges, smoking areas, and even a museum to explore!

Photo: Tim Roberts photography | Shutterstock

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is the larger of the two terminals and is divided into Concourses A, B, C, and D. Don't underestimate the amount of walking required to explore all of Terminal 4 - the walkway between concourses A and D is known as the 'Sky Harbor Fitness Trail'!

This terminal serves both domestic and international flights, and is home to American Airlines, British Airways, Southwest, Condor, Volaris, Eurowings and WestJet. Other airlines operate here too, so check your booking information to make sure you're at the right terminal.

There are four levels - Level 1 is home to baggage claim, 2 is ticketing, 3 is where you'll find departure gates, and 4 is where you can connect to the Sky Train.

The lobby area on Level 3 has a selection of shops and restaurants, but don't feel you have to eat here, as there are more places on the concourses too. This area also has a nursing station, access to the museum gallery, and a space PHX calls 'Compassion Corner' - a place to find chaplains, to rest, to take a sensory break from the airport and to pray.

Leading directly off the main departures area are the concourses, where you'll find gates for departing flights as well as various other options for food, drink and shopping.

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is arranged in a kind of backward 'L' shape, or maybe an upside-down 'F.' It's home to Delta Air Lines, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, United, Spirit, and Sun Country. If arriving by Sky Train, you'll be dropped off on level 5, and will need to make your way down to level 1 to check-in.

Level 1 has access for rideshare and taxi pick-up and drop off too. If you have time, you can explore the desert garden and take your pet for a spot of relief on the west side of the terminal.

Level 2 is where you'll find the security checkpoint. You can also access the second airport museum from here. Level 3 is not accessible.

Level 4 is where you'll find all the good stuff. Airline gates are here, with E gates to the north and F gates south and west. There's a Starbucks and access to the museum in the main lobby, as well as a range of shops, but some of the better eateries are found on the concourses.

Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

The F gate concourse has The Tavern from legendary Phoenix chef Mark Tarbell, a great place for a meal before a flight, as well as SanTan Brewing company for some locally brewed beers. Fewer options are available at the E gates, but Ajo Al's is a good shout for some Mexican food.

Getting between terminals

Discovered you're at the wrong terminal for your flight? Don't panic, because the efficient Sky Train will have you in the right place in a moment. Trains arrive at least every 5 minutes apart, and take only 2 - 3 minutes to travel between terminals.