When you arrive at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) after leaving the Tampa airport, you'll be instantly greeted by the warmth of the desert. Phoenix encompasses a wide swath of land, which makes it important to have a rental car to get around.

Once you leave the airport, it's a quick drive to the Tonto National Forest, where you can hike or simply relax and watch the birds and other wildlife. Since the Phoenix airport is situated just east of the heart of the city, you can easily get to nearby attractions such as Tovrea Castle or the Pueblo Grande Museum.

Key Facts

Downtown Phoenix is home to the Phoenix Zoo, which is a popular place for visitors to explore. The Central City neighborhood offers a wide range of world cuisine as well as the steakhouses like Mastro’s City Hall, which this southwestern city is known for.

Hints and Tips

The flight from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to PHX takes about four hours in total. Since you'll be traversing several time zones, you may want to spend your first day in Phoenix relaxing at the Desert Botanical Garden. Alternatively head to the Sunnyslope Mountain park, where you can hike, ride horseback or do some mountaineering. Your rental car will get you to these city parks in under an hour from the airport.