Phoenix is one of the best cities in the southwest for a getaway vacation or just a short weekend away from home. With amazing restaurants, clubs, museums, hiking, spas and plenty more, Phoenix provides excellent tourism and entertainment. Before you plan your week or weekend in Arizona, however, you must find a way to get to Arizona. Traveling to Phoenix is by no means tough, but just like any other trip it can be stressful. Phoenix is accessible by air, by bus and by car. The following tips will help you get into Phoenix easily no matter which means of transportation you chose.

By Air: The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest airport in Arizona and will more than likely be your final destination on any flight into Phoenix. This airport is large with many terminals—this is important to keep in mind while budgeting your time, whether you are flying in or heading home. Once you land at this airport, you can either take the #13 or the #40 bus into Phoenix if you are not renting a car. If you decide to rent a car, you should make these reservations ahead of time. To get to your rental car, you will have to gather your bags and then take the Rental Car Shuttle bus to the Rental Car Center, which is about five minutes away from the airport. To save time, call your rental car provider when you land to make sure they're ready and prepared to send you on your way.

Keep in mind, when you are returning to the airport, that you will need plenty of time. Arrive several hours before your flight and give yourself even more time if you are returning a rental car as you will need to take a shuttle again. If you attempt to check bags 45 minutes or less before your flight, you may be unsuccessful. Traveling to Phoenix by air is generally your best option if you live outside the state.

By Bus: While there are several commuter lines that bring traffic into Phoenix each day, bus arrivals usually come through the Greyhound Bus lines. The Greyhound Bus terminal is located just outside of the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Tickets can be purchased at the terminal or online. The terminal operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. These hours are subject to change, so it is best to call and confirm before making the trek out to the facility. The station’s customer service number is (602) 389-4200.

By Car: If you are deciding to take a road trip out to the Phoenix area, it is best to plan your route before heading out. While GPS systems are more reliable now, most do not take traffic into account, or stops you may want to make. The area outside of Phoenix is beautiful country and you might consider making a pit stop or two on your way in and out of the Phoenix city limits. If you are traveling to Phoenix from the east, you will be taking US Route 60. From the north, you will need to take Interstate 17, and entering Phoenix from the south or west brings you up Interstate 10.

When planning on arrival time, make sure you check with your hotel for check-in times. While there is plenty to do in the city if you do have to wait those extra few hours, forced exploring after a long day of driving can seem more tedious than exciting. It would also serve you well to take into consideration heavy traffic times. If you're coming into Phoenix during the morning commuters’ arrival time or during rush hour, it can make for a very hectic time on the road.