Airports for Visiting the Southwest

Arizona and the Southwest has several airports that make visiting the area easier. Here’s a breakdown of the main options and what they’re best for:

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
This is Arizona’s largest and busiest airport, located in the heart of Phoenix. It offers the most nonstop flights, the best flight prices, and the widest range of airlines. If you’re visiting Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, the Superstition Mountains, or southern Arizona, Sky Harbor is almost always the most convenient choice. Sky Harbor also has excellent rental car availability and easy access to the major freeways.

Phoenix - Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
This smaller, budget friendly airport in Mesa, Arizona is commonly used by Allegiant Air and other low cost carriers. This airport often has direct flights from smaller towns across the USA, making it a great option for travelers who don’t live near a major hub. It’s typically easy to navigate and has shorter lines than Sky Harbor Airport.

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG)
This is a small but convenient airport for people planning to visit Northern Arizona. Many travelers use Flagstaff when visiting the Grand Canyon, Page, Williams, Sedona, or Monument Valley. It’s also a great arrival or departure point for those doing an Arizona - Utah national parks road trip. Flights can somethings be limited and more expensive, but the convenience might make it worth it. Rental cars are available but always book ahead of time. The Flagstaff airport is just a few minutes from downtown Flagstaff and about 45 minutes from Sedona.

Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
The Las Vegas airport is one of the most popular airports for starting a southwest road trip. Many visitors fly into Vegas to access the Grand Canyon, Page, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Lake Powell, and Monument Valley. Flights are often cheaper than flying directly into northern Arizona and there is a larger selection of rental cars. If your Arizona trip focuses on national parks and scenic landscapes in the north, LAS is a very practical alternative. For some travelers it may make sense to Fly into Las Vegas and then fly out of Phoenix airport (or the other way around) to limit drive time while still seeing the most of Arizona.

St. George Regional Airport (SGU)
Located in southwestern Utah, St. George Regional Airport is a convenient option for travelers visiting Southern Utah destinations like Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and nearby national monuments. It’s a smaller airport with a limited number of airlines and nonstop flights, but it’s easy to navigate, has short lines, and offers rental cars on site. For visitors looking to minimize driving while exploring southern Utah, SGU is a solid choice.

Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
Grand Junction Regional Airport in western Colorado is ideal for travelers exploring Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks. It’s larger than SGU, offering more flight options from major USA hubs and has plenty of rental cars available. From Grand Junction, Moab Utah is about a 2 hour drive, making this airport a convenient balance between accessibility and driving time.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Salt Lake City International Airport is the largest airport in Utah and offers the widest range of nonstop flights and airlines in the state. While it’s farther from southern Utah destinations (roughly 4 hours to Moab or Zion), it’s often the most reliable option for international travelers or those seeking the best flight prices. SLC also has excellent rental car availability, making it a practical choice if you’re planning a road trip through multiple Utah destinations.

Provo Airport (PVU)
Provo Airport is a small, convenient option for travelers coming from smaller cities across the USA. It primarily offers flights to and from regional hubs, making it great for visitors who want a quieter, faster airport experience. Located about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City, PVU is a practical choice for travelers heading to central or southern Utah destinations although rental car options are more limited than at larger airports like SLC.

Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Tucson International Airport serves southern Arizona and is the main gateway for visiting Tucson, Saguaro National Park, Bisbee, and Tombstone. It’s a medium sized airport with a solid selection of nonstop flights and several major airlines. There's also convenient rental car options. TUS is easy to navigate, has shorter lines than Phoenix Sky Harbor, and is a great choice if you’re focusing your trip on southern Arizona and want to avoid driving all the way from Phoenix.

Other helpful notes:

• Rental cars can book up quickly during peak season, especially in Flagstaff and Page so reserve early.

• Drive times in the Southwest can be long so don’t underestimate them. Always double check your driving route before booking flights.

• When checking flight times, remember that Utah and most of Arizona are on the same time from November to mid-March. From mid-March to early November, Utah is one hour ahead because it observes Daylight Saving Time and most of Arizona does not. (The Navajo Nation in Arizona does observe Daylight Saving Time though, which can make things even more confusing in that region). I have a separate page on time zones for additional information on this!