City in Arizona, United States
Phoenix
Sunny desert metro with great winters, golf, spas and easy day trips to Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Summers are brutal and the city is spread out, so a car or rideshare is essential.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,700–5,000Comfortable, one person · $3,700–5,000Details
- Value for money10/100Better value than 9% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goFeb–Apr, Nov–DecWarmest: Jul, 42°CDetails
- Air quality7.9 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableCity water is safe.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$150–300Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; a few taco stands and swap meets take cash only.Details
Where to stay in Phoenix
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown Phoenix / Roosevelt Row | Arts, bars, light rail and sports venues |
| Old Town Scottsdale | Nightlife, hotels and spa resorts |
| Tempe (Mill Avenue) | Students, light rail, cafés and lake paths |
| Arcadia / Biltmore | Quiet, upscale, hiking and dining |
| Midtown (Central Avenue) | Mid-century houses, light rail and local restaurants |
Apps that work in Phoenix
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Street hailing is rare; book through an app. Taxis cost more than rideshare and wait times can be long.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; a few taco stands and swap meets take cash only.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in United States
- New York CityCity
- Las VegasCity
- Los AngelesCity
- OrlandoCity
- MiamiCity
- San FranciscoCity
- HonoluluCity
- Washington, D.C.Capital city
Going to Phoenix solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Phoenix meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.