Downtown Phoenix with desert mountains behind

Phoenix

Saguaro desert on the city edge, a mountain you can climb before breakfast and 300 days of sun.

Photo: Unknown (See source)

Currency
USD
Emergency number
911
Police, Ambulance, Fire
Advisory level
High degree of caution
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (SafeTravel)
Language
English
Local transport
Car needed
Light rail covers one corridor only
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Muscatine, IA; Scott, IA; Rock Island, IL

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 12 at 7:11AM CDT until August 12 at 7:15AM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL

Flash Flood Warning — Decatur, IN; Jennings, IN; Shelby, IN

Flash Flood Warning issued August 12 at 8:11AM EDT until August 12 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Indianapolis IN

Severe Thunderstorm Warning — Auglaize, OH; Mercer, OH; Shelby, OH

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued August 12 at 8:07AM EDT until August 12 at 9:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH

Good to know

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa. The US State Department has more information on visas…

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. If you’re travelling through another country on your way to or from the US, check the entry requirements for that country…

The US Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveller Program (TTP) Global Entry allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers expedited clearance at some US airports. If you’re a British citizen, you can register to get a UK background check…

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Exercise increased caution in United States of America.

Exercise normal security precautions. Latest change: Natural disasters and climate section – added information on Spokane County fires.

The Desert Botanical Garden is best in the early morning or during evening opening, when the light and temperature both work.

Sky Harbor airport is ten minutes from downtown, which is unusually close for a US city of this size.

Resort rates flip with the seasons. Winter is peak and July offers the same rooms at a fraction of the price.

Local knowledge

Contributed by guides, operators and creators on the ground. Community advice, kept separate from official sources.

Hike at first light

Be on the Camelback trail before sunrise in any month with a five in the temperature. By nine it stops being fun and starts being risky.

Local guideSonoran Trail Company

Book an experience

Verified operators in Phoenix, booked direct through KLNK.

Frequently asked questions

To enter or transit through the US, you must have either an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) or a visa. (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

To enter the US, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s US guide. (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the US. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. (UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for British citizen passport holders)

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (SafeTravel) currently states: “United States of America: Exercise increased caution” (advisory level 2 of 4). Always check the original advisory before travelling.

Currency: USD. Languages: English. Capital: Washington, D.C..

Sources and freshness

Travel information last reviewed 12 August 2026. Compiled from U.S. Department of State, IATA Timatic, Open-Meteo and datakyte Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.

Advisories, entry rules and alerts apply to United States as a whole.

Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.

Photography: Unknown (See source); Unknown (See source); Unknown (See source).