May 2026
Summer Travel Easier with Tips
Summer is right around the corner, and Phoenix Sky Harbor is anticipating a busy vacation travel period starting Memorial Day weekend. With summer break, holidays, and upcoming sport events across the country, we consulted our coaches (A.K.A. our volunteer Navigators) for the best travel tips for the summer:
- Keep your eye on the ball: Reserve a parking spot in advance and check parking availability at com/parking/. Arrive early at the airport to give yourself enough time to enter the parking facilities and find a space, even with a reservation.
- Stay on your toes: Arrive early and check TSA Security Checkpoint wait times on com, as well as on flight information screens in the terminals. Arrive at the airport two hours early for domestic flights, three hours early before international flights.
- Avoid being offside: Be REAL ID ready. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is enforcing REAL ID-compliant licenses, state IDs, or other acceptable forms of identification. Be sure to allow extra time at the checkpoint for verification. TSA has introduced a $45 fee for travelers without REAL ID. Learn more from the TSA.
- Take the free kick: Use PHX RESERVE to reserve a spot in line up to six days in advance for free at com/phxreserve.
- Counterattack: Use 44th Street PHX Sky Train® Station and 24th Street PHX Sky Train® Station to avoid terminal curb congestion and roadway traffic when picking up or dropping off your party.
- Gear up: Request a Compassion Cacti™ lanyard for any travelers with special needs and caregivers to signal to airport staff that the traveler may need additional time or assistance. See more information about the Compassion Cacti™ lanyard and the airport’s Compassion Corner.
- Use your keeper: Ask Amelia, our digital assistant AI tool, available on the skyharbor.com homepage at any time for both desktop and mobile users.
- Cleats and tweets: Stay connected by following Phoenix Sky Harbor on X @PHXSkyHarbor for real-time updates on airport conditions, roadway alerts and other important information. Hint: you can also DM us on Facebook and Instagram!
- Teamwork makes the dream work: Find our volunteer Navigators in purple vests throughout the airport for help with directions, information and general friendly assistance.
Whether you’re flying in or out of Phoenix Sky Harbor, find these travel tips and more at skyharbor.com/flying-from-phx/travel-tips.