Getting to Scottsdale

Scottsdale lies just a few miles east of central Phoenix, the largest city in Arizona, and is thus for all practical purposes part of Phoenix. There are several ways to get to Scottsdale. The town has its own small airport, but it’s only used for private aircraft, and not of much use to the average traveller. Most people arrive via the city’s international airport, Sky Harbor, which handles flights from nearly every city in the US and most major international destinations. Interstate buses also run regularly and often into downtown Phoenix and there are many road options if you are arriving by car. The only way you cannot get to Scottsdale is by train.

By car

Phoenix lies at the crossroads of the major interstate highways which run through the southwestern part of the US so getting to Scottsdale is very simple. The Valley is connected to Los Angeles to the west and Tucson to the south via I-10. To the north, along I-17 lies the small mountain town of Flagstaff. Once you get into the metropolitan area, US 101 makes a loop all the way around the north, west and east sides of the Valley. The easiest route into Scottsdale is to take the Red Mountain Freeway (Arizona 202) east to US 101 north. There are also several smaller back roads which lead into Scottsdale from the east, north and south and make for scenic, if slower, travelling routes.

By rail

Unfortunately, there is no passenger train service into Scottsdale. The only possible way to arrive by train is to take one of the Amtrak routes into either Tucson or Flagstaff, then catch a bus to Phoenix and hire a taxi to take you to Scottsdale. However, this way is inconvenient and not worth the effort.

By bus

Phoenix is the major hub for Greyhound bus travel in this part of southwest America. There are several buses every day arriving from major points such as Los Angeles to the west, Denver and Albuquerque to the north, El Paso to the east and Mexico to the south. Once you have reached Phoenix, you can take a public bus to Scottsdale, but this is rather inconvenient and practically impossible if you want to go directly to your hotel. Taking a taxi from the bus terminal to your lodging is a well worth the cost. The Greyhound terminal is on West Glendale Avenue.

By air

If you are lucky enough to own your own plane, then you can enjoy the luxury of flying directly into Scottsdale. This small airport, located 35kms northeast of town, is primarily used by business jets, small charters and scenic flights. Most people will fly into Sky Harbor International Airport which is centrally located just 5kms east of downtown Phoenix. Being the regional air hub of Arizona, this airport handles flights from nearly every American city and most major international destinations. There are several airport exits if you are driving a car so be sure you check which one you need. SuperShuttle runs 24 hour door-to-door van services between the airport and Scottsdale. Taxis are also readily available outside all three terminals and cost just a little more than the shuttles.

Phoenixs Sky Harbor International Airport

This is a massive facility with three terminals. As Arizona’s busiest airport, it services seventeen airlines which fly to hundreds of domestic and international destinations. Terminal 2 handles Air Canada, Alaska, United and US Airways. Terminal 3 serves American, Delta, Frontier, Northwest and Midwest Express and Terminal 4 is home to AeroMexico, America West, British Airways, Continental and Southwest. There are ATMs and telephones in all of the terminals and a bureau de change in Terminal 4. Information desks can be found in the Arrivals area of each terminal (tel: +1 602 273 3307).

Departing the airport by rental car can be a bit tricky because there are several exits depending on where in the city you want to go. If you are going to Scottsdale, leave by the 44th Street exit, then head north on Arizona 143 turning east on Arizona 202 until you reach US 101 north. SuperShuttle runs 24 hour shuttle vans from the airport to any destination in Scottsdale but you’ll have to share with other passengers (tel: +1 602 273 3383). Phoenix Transit also runs a public bus service which travels to Scottsdale and the surrounding areas, It can however be a bit unwieldy with a lot of luggage. Taxis are available outside each of the terminals and cost just a fraction more than the shuttle vans.