How to Get to Scottsdale: Airports and Transfers

October 9, 2026

The PHX Sky Train’s 44th Street Station in Phoenix, an arrival point for travellers heading to Scottsdale. (Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the main scheduled-flight gateway for Scottsdale. Mesa Gateway is another option if its flights suit your origin, while Scottsdale Airport serves private aviation rather than scheduled airlines.

For a central arrival, use Scottsdale Road and Main Street in Old Town as your destination. The choice between buses, a hired car and a rental depends on your bags, landing time and where you will actually stay, particularly if your accommodation is beyond Old Town.

Airport transfers at a glance

Terminal 4 arrivals to Scottsdale Road and Main Street, Old Town
Criterion	Public transport	Hired road transfer	Rental car
Vehicles and changes	Sky Train, then two buses	One car from pickupBest	Sky Train, then collected car
Typical cost and unit	$2/person one way; eligible reduced fare $1; second-bus transfer includedBest	App car about $25–$50; taxi $35–$60; private car $70–$130, per vehicle one way	About $40–$90/vehicle per day, before extras
Airport train fare	Free to 44th Street	Not needed	Free to Rental Car Center
Service availability	Route 44 last: 10:54am weekdays; 10:24am Saturday; 11pm Sunday	Most app providers 24/7; Waymo curbside 24/7	Sky Train 24/7; arrange rental collection separately

Choose the buses for a low-cost arrival with manageable bags and a suitable departure. You must reach the airport train, board Route 44, change to Route 50 and finish on foot. Waiting between services is part of that choice.

With children, bulky luggage or accommodation beyond Old Town, a hired car lets you travel to the actual address. For a late landing, the app-booked option has the clearest published availability. Collect your bags before requesting it, then follow the pickup location shown in the app.

Road-price estimates rise with demand and larger vehicles, so compare a quote for your whole party. Rental rates vary with season, vehicle size and rental duration. Collect a rental if you need it for onward driving, rather than just to reach a central hotel. Collection adds paperwork and a wait for the vehicle.

Your flight and airport processing come before the transfer: allow for baggage reclaim and, where applicable, immigration before deciding which departure you can reach.

Sky Harbor, Mesa Gateway and Scottsdale Airport

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) for the widest scheduled-flight choice. It serves more than 155 cities worldwide and is the main airport for the Scottsdale area. A flight to Phoenix still needs a ground transfer to your Scottsdale address.

Its passenger airlines include the following, giving you both domestic and international options:

Advanced Airlines, Aeroméxico, Air Canada, Air France and Alaska Airlines
Allegiant, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, British Airways and China Airlines
Contour Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Denver Air Connection, Frontier Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airways, Porter Airlines, Southern Airways Express, Southwest Airlines and STARLUX Airlines
Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Volaris and WestJet

Mesa Gateway (AZA), also called Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, offers scheduled nonstop flights to more than 40 US destinations. Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines serve it, with Sun Country flying to Minneapolis. Mesa Gateway can make sense when its flight from your origin suits you, but include the transfer to your accommodation when comparing the total price.

At Mesa Gateway, taxis without reservations collect at the transportation curb outside baggage claim. App-booked drivers meet you at the curb just outside baggage claim too. Sedans, limousines and shuttles require advance arrangements with an airport-authorised provider, so agree the meeting details before arrival.

Scottsdale Airport (SDL) has no scheduled commercial airlines. It is a general-aviation reliever used for private, corporate and leisure flying, with aircraft charter, rental and maintenance services. It is not an alternative destination for an ordinary airline ticket.

There is no universal cheaper airport: compare the flight available from your origin, baggage charges and the road journey to your actual address. A cheaper Mesa Gateway ticket may lose its advantage after a hired transfer, while a northern Scottsdale stay changes the destination you should price. Private charter into Scottsdale belongs to a different cost category from scheduled flights.

Sky Train and buses to Old Town

From Terminal 4 arrivals at Sky Harbor, follow signs to the PHX Sky Train station, about 4 minutes on foot. Take the train to 44th Street and Washington, about 10 minutes. The airport train connects you to the buses, not directly to Scottsdale.

Interior of the PHX Sky Train station at Terminal 4, with the platform and train doors. — Inside the PHX Sky Train Terminal 4 station at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
*Tony the Marine ( talk ) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edited*

Sky Train runs around the clock every day. From 10pm to 5am, reduced frequency and nightly maintenance can mean delays or transfers, so leave extra time for the bus connection.

At 44th Street station, the Route 44 boarding stop is about 2 minutes on foot away. Board Valley Metro Route 44 northbound towards Camelback Road.

Route 44 first northbound departure, Monday–Friday: 4:16am
Route 44 first northbound departure, Saturday: 7:06am
Route 44 first northbound departure, Sunday: 9:58am

Name: Route 44 stop at the 44th Street Sky Train station
Location: Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA Maps
Essential fact: Valley Metro bus boarding point at the airport’s 44th Street Sky Train station in Phoenix.

At 44th Street and Camelback Road, leave Route 44 and board Route 50 eastbound on Camelback Road towards Scottsdale. Alight at Scottsdale Road and Camelback Road, then walk south along Scottsdale Road to Main Street. Keep the final walk in mind if you have heavy bags, especially in hot weather.

Prepare payment before boarding. Tap a loaded Copper card or scan the Valley Metro app’s QR code at the purple fare reader when you board. If using cash, carry the exact fare. Keep your payment method ready for the second bus rather than packing it away beneath your luggage.

Taxis, app-booked cars and private transfers

Taxi first mile: $7
Each additional mile: $2.60
Traffic delays: Up to $36/hour
Minimum fare: $18

For a road transfer from Sky Harbor Terminal 4, taxis offer a walk-up option, while app-booked cars let you request a vehicle after collecting your luggage. Choose a vehicle that fits both passengers and bags, and request any child-seat provision explicitly when arranging a private car.

Taxis collect on Level 1 at the north curb outside Door 7 or the south curb outside Door 4. The meter combines distance with traffic delays, so the final charge can rise when the roads are busy.

App-booked cars use Level 1 outer curbs. Match the curb and door to your assigned pickup, then confirm the vehicle before getting in.

North outer curb: far west end outside Door 1.
South outer curb, east end: outside Door 6 or Door 8.
South outer curb, west end: outside Door 2.

Book a private transfer with a permitted provider before arrival, as this category does not allow walk-up pickups. Meet at the Level 1 pre-arranged-vehicle area and agree the exact curbside point with the provider. An Information Counter or airport Navigator can help you find the service.

Road-transfer estimates are per vehicle, not per passenger. Give your accommodation’s full address when requesting or arranging the car, rather than using the Old Town comparison point if your hotel is elsewhere.

Collecting a rental car

For rental collection from Sky Harbor Terminal 4, use the PHX Sky Train to the Rental Car Center. The train journey is about 18 minutes. Once there, complete the rental paperwork, collect the vehicle and drive to Scottsdale Road and Main Street, or directly to your accommodation.

A rental earns its place when your stay involves driving beyond Old Town. For a central stay, weigh daily hire against parking and the time spent collecting and returning it. The airport train’s overnight operation does not mean every rental desk keeps the same hours, so arrange collection for your arrival time with the company.

Compare the total for your rental period, including taxes, airport charges, insurance choices, additional drivers and any child seats. Understand the fuel agreement and deposit before accepting the vehicle. Note existing damage at collection and keep the return location and agreed return time with your travel details. Allow time to hand back the car and take the train to your departure terminal.

Sources & fact-checking

Checks against the sources below cover: fares and charges, as well as services.