Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Phoenix is a driving city. The Valley of the Sun spreads across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Glendale, and most of the reasons people fly in, from resort stays and golf to spring training games and day trips to Sedona, are much easier with your own car. The good news: Phoenix is one of the simpler US airports to rent at, because every airport rental company sits in one building connected to the terminals by a free train.
This guide covers what a rental car in Phoenix actually costs in 2026, which fees show up on the bill, how to get to the Rental Car Center, and when an off-airport pickup is worth it.
What a Rental Car in Phoenix Costs in 2026
The figures below come from KAYAK’s published price data for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), checked on October 31, 2026. They are averages across many user searches, not quotes for your dates, but they show the relative price of each car type well.
| Car type at PHX | Typical price per day | Cheapest month (avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Small / economy | $42 | July ($34) |
| Large sedan | $56 | January ($41) |
| Medium | $63 | April ($48) |
| SUV | $64 | January ($53) |
| Pickup truck | $66 | January ($58) |
| Luxury | $84 | January ($70) |
| Convertible | $93 | January ($74) |
| Van / minivan | $107 | June ($87) |
Source: KAYAK, Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl Airport car rental insights, checked October 31, 2026. Base rates before taxes and fees.
Two things stand out. First, small cars are by far the cheapest option, and in Phoenix you rarely need anything bigger unless you are carrying golf bags or a family’s luggage. Second, KAYAK’s Phoenix-wide searches (airport plus city locations) averaged about $41 per day with good deals around $33, noticeably below the airport average. Part of that gap is the airport fees explained below.
When prices are highest and lowest
- Most expensive: March. KAYAK’s monthly data shows March as the priciest month at PHX. That lines up with Cactus League spring training, when 15 Major League Baseball teams train and play in the Phoenix area and visitors pour in.
- Cheapest: January. January averaged around $45 per day at the airport, even though the weather is mild and pleasant.
- Summer: Rates for small cars dip in summer, but daytime temperatures above 110°F are common in Phoenix from June through August, so factor that into your plans.
For a broader look at timing, see our guide on the best time to book car rentals.
The Fees That Make Airport Rentals More Expensive
Phoenix is known for stacking extra charges on airport rentals. The daily rate you see first is not what you pay. Expect these on a Sky Harbor rental:
- Customer Facility Charge (CFC): $6 per day. This flat daily fee pays for the Rental Car Center and applies to every rental there, regardless of the car’s price.
- Airport concession recovery fee: about 11% of the rental. Rental companies pass the fee they pay the airport on to you.
- State and local rental taxes on top, which in Maricopa County include surcharges that help fund sports stadiums.
On a $40-per-day booking, those items can easily add $15 or more per day. That is why the most useful number when comparing offers is the total price including taxes and fees, which comparison sites such as DiscoverCars show before you pay.
How to Get to the PHX Rental Car Center
All airport rental companies at Sky Harbor operate from one building, the Rental Car Center at 1805 E. Sky Harbor Circle South, south of Buckeye Road between 16th and 24th Streets. You cannot walk there from the terminals.
- Collect your bags and follow the signs for the PHX Sky Train.
- From Terminal 4, the Sky Train station is on Level 3. From Terminal 3, go up to Level 4 (ticketing) and take the escalators to the platform on Level 5.
- Ride to the last stop, “Rental Car Center.” The train is free, runs 24 hours a day, and arrives every 3 to 5 minutes. Don’t get off at the 24th Street station.
- Find your company’s counter or, if you are in a loyalty program, go straight to the garage.
The Sky Train extension to the Rental Car Center opened in December 2022 and replaced the old rental car shuttle buses, so older guides that tell you to wait at the curb for a shuttle are out of date. When you return the car, drive back to the same address, drop the car, and ride the Sky Train to your terminal. Budget an extra 30 minutes for the return on top of your usual airport time.
Rental companies at Sky Harbor
The Rental Car Center houses the big national brands, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, NÜ Car Rentals, Payless, Sixt and Thrifty. Some smaller and discount brands operate off-airport and pick customers up separately, so check the pickup instructions on your booking.
Camelback Mountain, one of Phoenix’s best-known landmarks, is about a 20-minute drive from the airport.
Airport vs. Off-Airport: Is It Worth Leaving Sky Harbor?
Renting at a city or neighborhood location avoids the airport-specific charges such as the $6 daily facility charge and the concession fee. On a week-long rental, that can add up to a meaningful saving. The trade-off is getting there:
- The PHX Sky Train also stops at 44th Street/Washington, where it connects to the Valley Metro light rail, so you can reach some city rental offices without a taxi.
- City offices usually keep shorter hours than the 24/7 airport counters, which matters for late arrivals.
- A rideshare to the rental office can cancel out the saving on short rentals of one or two days.
Rule of thumb: for rentals of four days or more, compare the airport total against a nearby city location. For a quick weekend, the convenience of the Rental Car Center usually wins.
Video: A First Look at Phoenix
If Phoenix is new to you, this travel guide from Expedia gives a quick overview of the city, its neighborhoods and the desert scenery you can reach by car.
Video: Expedia, “Phoenix Vacation Travel Guide,” via YouTube.
Driving in Phoenix: What to Know
- No toll roads. Phoenix-area freeways are free to use, so you can decline any toll pass the rental company offers.
- Arizona time. Most of Arizona does not observe daylight saving time. In summer, Phoenix is on the same clock as Los Angeles; in winter it matches Denver. Double-check pickup and return times.
- Heat. In summer, park in shade or garages, keep water in the car, and never leave children or pets inside. Steering wheels and seat belts get hot enough to burn.
- Monsoon and dust storms. Arizona’s monsoon season runs from June 15 to September 30. If a dust storm cuts visibility, the Arizona Department of Transportation advises: pull off the road as far as possible, turn off your lights, take your foot off the brake, and wait it out (“Pull Aside, Stay Alive”).
- The street grid. Phoenix is laid out on a mostly regular grid, which makes navigation easy, but rush-hour traffic on I-10 and I-17 can be heavy.
Day Trips Worth Renting a Car For
A car turns Phoenix into a base for some of the Southwest’s best scenery. Approximate one-way drives from Sky Harbor:
- Sedona: about 115 miles, roughly 2 hours. Red rock trails, scenic drives and viewpoints.
- Tucson and Saguaro National Park: about 115 miles, roughly 2 hours. Forests of giant saguaro cacti on both sides of the city.
- Grand Canyon South Rim: about 230 miles, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours. Doable as a long day, better as an overnight trip.
A road through Saguaro National Park near Tucson, an easy day trip from Phoenix by car.
Planning to drop the car somewhere else, such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles? Read our guide to one-way car rentals first, because drop-off fees can be steep.
How to Get a Cheaper Rental Car in Phoenix
- Compare the total, not the daily rate. Fees and taxes vary between offers, so sort by the final price.
- Book a small car. It was the cheapest category at PHX by a wide margin and is easy to park everywhere in the Valley.
- Avoid March if you can, or book early if your trip falls during spring training.
- Choose a free-cancellation rate and check prices again closer to your trip. If they drop, rebook.
- Check your own coverage before buying extras. Your personal auto policy or the credit card you pay with may already include rental car coverage. Confirm the details with your insurer or card issuer before you travel.
- Return the car full. Fill up a few miles before the Rental Car Center instead of paying the company’s refueling charge.
Driving with a younger driver? See our tips for cheap rental cars under 25. For more ways to save, read our car hire deals guide and our weekly car rental deals.
FAQ: Car Rental in Phoenix
How much does it cost to rent a car in Phoenix?
According to KAYAK data checked on October 31, 2026, rentals at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport average about $74 per day, with good deals around $52. Searches across all of Phoenix average about $41 per day. Small cars are the cheapest category at around $42 per day at the airport, before taxes and fees.
Where is the rental car center at Phoenix Sky Harbor?
It is at 1805 E. Sky Harbor Circle South, in its own building away from the terminals. Take the free PHX Sky Train from Terminal 3 or 4 to the last stop, “Rental Car Center.”
Is there a shuttle to the rental cars at PHX?
Not for the airport rental companies. Since December 2022, the free PHX Sky Train connects the terminals with the Rental Car Center, running 24 hours a day every 3 to 5 minutes. Some off-airport companies run their own pickups.
Why are Phoenix airport car rentals so expensive?
Airport rentals carry a $6 daily Customer Facility Charge, an airport concession fee of about 11%, and state and local rental taxes. Together these can add a significant amount to the base rate.
What is the cheapest month to rent a car in Phoenix?
KAYAK’s data shows January as the cheapest month at Sky Harbor, at around $45 per day on average. March, during spring training, is the most expensive.
Do I need a car in Phoenix?
For most visitors, yes. The metro area is large and spread out, and popular day trips such as Sedona, Tucson and the Grand Canyon are only practical by car. If you are only staying downtown for a conference, light rail and rideshare can be enough.
Prices and fees in this guide were checked on October 31, 2026, from KAYAK’s published Phoenix data, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport information and rental company location pages. Rates change daily. How we check prices.
