What's the best time to visit Phoenix?
April is the best month to visit Phoenix, balancing warm days with cool nights and minimal rain, avoiding spring break and pre-summer crowds. This period is perfect for exploring Arizona and enjoying outdoor activities without the extreme heat of summer. Early May also offers good conditions, though with higher temperatures, ideal for those preferring poolside leisure or indoor events.
Are you looking to visit Phoenix? You should consider when to schedule that trip to make the most of the city and all it offers.
Think about the weather, who will be traveling, and what you want to do. You’ll want to consider your budget as well. Read on to learn about the best time to visit Phoenix!
The Best Time to Visit Phoenix in 2024
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The best time to visit Phoenix is in the spring. If you’re looking for something more specific, schedule your visit in April to avoid spring break travelers and beat the heat.
On average, Phoenix has a high of 86 degrees Fahrenheit in April. In addition, that month, it gets down to around 59 degrees at night, so it’s not too cold. The entire month sees only one day of rain on average.
Of course, if you want to take day trips outside of Phoenix, the rest of Arizona has great weather. You can travel north and avoid some lingering winter weather you may encounter earlier in the spring.
April is also a fantastic time to visit because schools haven’t let out yet. You can avoid some of the crowds that pop up during school breaks. You may have to deal with Easter pricing, but you can travel on a different week to avoid spikes in flight and hotel costs.
Early May is also a good time in the spring to visit Phoenix. Like in April, you can avoid crowds of students on school break. Unfortunately, it can be hotter in May, with highs reaching the 90s.
But if you’re looking to spend most of your time indoors or in a pool, April and May are both suitable months to schedule a visit. Then, you can still avoid some of the extreme temperatures of the later part of summer.
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The cheapest time to visit Phoenix is in the summer, from June until August. Since the summer can see highs in the 100s, there’s not much of a demand from tourists.
That means you can take advantage of travel deals to save money on your trip. In many cases, hotels will drop their nightly rate for the summer to try and fill rooms. Flights and rental cars can also be more affordable during June, July, and August.
You can still see many of the same attractions and do plenty of shopping. If you’re not an enormous fan of the heat, consider enjoying some nightlife. Summer evening lows are around 80 degrees, which can be much more tolerable than daytime temperatures.
Of course, you can also go for early morning hikes before the temperature reaches its peak. Later in the day, focus on indoor activities or swim in a hotel pool.
To save even more money during the summer, avoid visiting around holidays, like Independence Day. You may also want to wait until the end of August or the beginning of September since school starts back up again. Then, you may find some better deals on travel.
September can still be quite hot, so you can save money as you would earlier in the season. No matter when you visit, look out for travel deals on flights or your hotel and consider using reward points to help save money.
Least Busy Time to Visit Phoenix
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The least busy time to visit Phoenix is in the summer, from June until August, as most people don’t want to deal with the extreme heat.
If you are, you can enjoy the dry conditions and explore without worrying about crowds. Your flight may have some openings, so you don’t have to crowd into your seat. You may find it easier to rent a vehicle and book your ideal hotel.
Of course, museums, stores, and parks will all be less overwhelming. In June, you won’t have to worry about rain, so you can explore the outdoors early in the morning and late at night to avoid the heat.
However, July and August see some rain as part of the monsoon season. So even if some would-be travelers enjoy summer, they might not want to visit when during the rainy season.
If you’re willing to pack an umbrella and stay inside, you have plenty of things to do. You’ll also want to be flexible with scheduling your time in case rain delays your drive to the next museum or shop. Of course, Independence Day and Memorial Day can be exceptions.
Holidays tend to be popular travel times, so you may need to deal with crowds. Instead, travel a week or two before or after those holidays to avoid the crowds.
Other less busy times to visit Phoenix include the spring and fall outside of school breaks. You can enjoy a lack of crowds, and the weather will be a bit better than during the summer. January and February can also be decent times to visit to avoid crowds.
Worst Time to Visit Phoenix
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The high heat of summer makes June, July, and August some of the worst months to visit Phoenix. July and August are also part of the monsoon season, so you’ll also have to worry about rain, yes, even in the desert.
If you want to do a lot of hiking or other outdoor activities, avoid summer trips to Phoenix. You may just make yourself miserable. And if you’re not drinking enough water, you could develop heat stroke.
Luckily, if you must visit during the summer, you can survive the season. Be sure you carry a water bottle with you. Don’t leave anything or anyone in the car without the air on because interior temperatures can top 150 degrees.
To help stay cool during your summer trip, look for indoor activities. The city has tons of museums that you can visit to view art, musical instruments, and more. You can also go shopping at one of the city’s many malls.
You can also visit earlier in the year to avoid the heat. While spring is a great time to go, avoid the end of March. Many schools and universities have spring break at that time, so you’ll encounter crowds and higher prices for accommodations.
You’ll also want to avoid major holidays, such as Christmas. In December, the high and low are 68 and 44 degrees, respectively. The weather in Phoenix may be amazing during the winter holidays, but the crowds and costs can be overwhelming.
Phoenix by Month: Climate & Activities
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Still unsure about the best time to visit Phoenix? Take a look at our summary of the weather and climate by month below:
January
In January, temperatures in Phoenix range from 8 to 19°C (46-66°F). This makes it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking in the Camelback Mountain, exploring the Desert Botanical Garden, and attending events like the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
February
Similar to January, February maintains cool temperatures between 9 to 21°C (48-70°F). Visitors can enjoy spring training baseball games, explore the Phoenix Art Museum, and take scenic drives to nearby attractions like Sedona.
March
As spring begins, temperatures range from 11 to 24°C (52-75°F). March is perfect for outdoor adventures in South Mountain Park, attending the Arizona Renaissance Festival, and enjoying the blooming wildflowers in the desert.
April
Spring temperatures in Phoenix range from 14 to 28°C (57-82°F). It’s an ideal time for exploring Papago Park, taking hot air balloon rides, and attending cultural events like the Pueblo Grande Museum Indian Market.
May
May sees temperatures ranging from 19 to 34°C (66-93°F). It’s a great month for tubing along the Salt River, exploring the Heard Museum, and enjoying outdoor concerts and festivals before the summer heat intensifies.
June
Summer arrives with temperatures between 24 to 40°C (75-104°F). June offers opportunities for indoor activities like visiting the Musical Instrument Museum, exploring the Arizona Science Center, and enjoying water parks to beat the heat.
July
July maintains hot temperatures from 27 to 41°C (81-106°F). It’s a popular month for indoor entertainment, such as visiting the Phoenix Zoo, exploring the Children’s Museum of Phoenix, and attending monsoon season photography workshops.
August
Temperatures in August range from 27 to 41°C (81-106°F). It’s an excellent time for cooling off at water parks, exploring the Arizona Capitol Museum, and enjoying indoor attractions like the Phoenix Symphony.
September
As fall begins, temperatures range from 24 to 39°C (75-102°F). September offers a pleasant transition, with opportunities for hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, attending the Arizona State Fair, and exploring the Desert Ridge Marketplace.
October
October sees temperatures ranging from 18 to 34°C (64-93°F). It’s a great month for outdoor activities like golfing, hiking in the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, and attending fall festivals and events.
November
Fall temperatures range from 11 to 25°C (52-77°F). November is perfect for exploring the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, attending the Arizona International Auto Show, and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday in the desert.
December
In December, winter returns to Phoenix with temperatures ranging from 8 to 19°C (46-66°F). December brings opportunities for holiday events, exploring the Phoenix Art Museum, and enjoying outdoor activities in the pleasant winter weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you’re still wondering if you should visit Phoenix, you’re not alone. Consider the following popular queries to determine if a Phoenix trip is for you.
What month has the best weather in Arizona?
You’ll experience the best weather in Phoenix between October and May. Phoenix and its suburbs often reach the upper 60s during the day, even in the coldest months. These months also help you avoid the triple-digit highs of summer.
That weather starts near the end of May and can linger through the end of September. Summer is also when Phoenix can experience monsoons, so you can avoid torrential downpours in other months.
When is the rainy season in Phoenix?
The rainy monsoon season starts in mid-June and extends through all of September. You can expect the worst of it to happen between the middle of July and the middle of August.
During the season, you can experience torrential rain for a few minutes or hours at a time. Be sure you know how to drive in the rain if you need to drive. Otherwise, schedule plenty of indoor activities so you still have things to do on your trip.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Arizona?
January is generally the cheapest month to fly to Phoenix. The new year has started, and the holidays are over, so there’s less demand for flights. On the other hand, May and June tend to have some of the highest ticket prices for flights. So keep that in mind when budgeting for your next Phoenix trip.
Is Phoenix expensive to visit?
When you visit Phoenix, plan on spending up to $200 per day on your trip. That number includes everything from food to transportation to activities. If you’re booking a hotel for two, the average cost in Phoenix is $225 per night.
To help save money, look for free activities, such as visiting public parks in the city. If you rent a hotel or house with a kitchen, you can shop for groceries and cook your meals to save money.
How many days should you spend in Arizona?
You should plan to spend at least five days in Phoenix, especially if you want to visit other parts of Arizona as well. Five days gives you plenty of time to visit all the major attractions and to go shopping.
Of course, you can spend more time in the city if you have the time. You can also visit for fewer days, especially if you don’t plan on visiting other parts of the state.
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So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Phoenix?
April is the best time to visit Phoenix, but March (outside of spring break) can also be a great time to take a trip. You can enjoy the nice weather before summer heats up the city and avoid the crowds that flock to Phoenix during major holidays.
However, regardless of the time you choose to visit, you’ll be greeted by amazing brunch, vibrant nightlife, and ample outdoor activities. So what are you waiting for — book your trip to Phoenix today!