Best Time to Fly to Arizona
Regardless of when you book a trip to Arizona, you’re sure to enjoy beautiful weather and jaw-dropping scenery. Cheap flights to Arizona are usually available during the summer when the desert climate gets hot and steamy.
Peak Season:
Winter is the peak season in central and southern Arizona, and summer is the peak season in northern Arizona and the mountains. Spring and fall are great times to visit. The mountains are cool and the desert is warm, and in spring the desert's flowers are in bloom.
Off Season:
Summer is the off season in the desert and southern Arizona. Conversely, winter is the off season in northern Arizona. Check for cheap flights to Arizona in early fall – some desert resorts still offer summer rates so you can really buy a bargain vacation!
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Arizona’s desert and mountain climates make it a year-round destination. The desert can reach temperatures over 100 degrees (F) in summer, but drop to the 60s in winter. In the northern mountains, summers can be quite pleasant, but the winters icy and snowy. Check before you plan your flights to Arizona as some places may surprise you. Sedona hits the high 90s in summer, but gets cool enough in the winter to see snow. During the summer, the desert has thunderstorms that come up very quickly and cause flash floods. In winter, desert temperatures can drop to below freezing at night.
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Driving is probably the best bet for traveling round Arizona. Tucson and Phoenix have public transportation for commuters, which also goes to some of the attractions, but driving in these cities is generally reasonable. Free parking is available outside of downtown Phoenix, although finding a parking space can take some time in Old Scottsdale and the more popular malls. In Tucson, parking spaces are relatively easy to find and the fees are low. Look for car rental rates and discounts when you book your Arizona flights. Many car rental agencies offer markdowns on daily rental rates during the off-season when tourism is low.
Depending on your destinations in Arizona, you may want to drive just to take in the scenery. However, Arizona is the sixth-largest state, so if you are short for time, you may want to take flights around Arizona. There are regional airports in Mesa, Payson, Prescott, Sedona, Chandler, and Scottsdale, and regional commercial carriers to fly you across the state quickly.
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- Most travelers like to book flights to Arizona by way of Phoenix. The city's warm and sunny weather offers a range of outdoor activities from golfing and hiking in the desert and mountains, to viewing the scenery from horseback or hot-air balloons. Phoenix is also home to the renowned Heard Museum and the Desert Botanical Garden with its diverse collection of desert flora, and Taliesin West is in nearby Scottsdale.
- Set in the Sonoran Desert valley, Tucson is surrounded by mountains, some higher than 9000 feet. The city offers world-class golf resorts, museums, galleries, and the cultural diversity of its Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo history and residents. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (it’s really a zoo) is to the west in the Saguaro National Park, and the southernmost ski area in the U.S. is just a short drive away.
- The drama of Sedona’s red-rock buttes, canyon walls, and mesas against the Arizona turquoise sky is a sight to be seen, particularly at sunset. Surrounded by forest, Sedona has some of the best outdoor access of any Southwestern city, and for a change of pace, eclectic shops and galleries. The area is rapidly becoming built up, so see it soon.
- Prescott sits in a valley at the northern edge of the Bradshaw Mountains. The area has four moderate seasons and is popular for its climate, scenery, and outdoor activities with visitors and retirees alike. Prescott’s rich history is reflected in the downtown area’s 1890s saloon, cattlemen’s hotel, courthouse plaza, and museums.
- Lake Havasu City is the site of London Bridge, brought over from England and reconstructed over a channel. Under the bridge is an English village, complete with shops and restaurants. The city also has water activities that draw college students on spring break, weekend warriors, and snowbirds and retirees in winter.
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A New England native but explorer at heart, Melisse has lived in four U.S. cities, spent a summer in Hawaii, made her way through wine-producing regions in Australia and New Zealand, and traveled around Europe while studying abroad in London. She is the Content Manager for the U.S. and Canada at Cheapflights.