Flying from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Phoenix: what you need to know
Around 4 hours 5 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix.
The timezone in Phoenix is UTC-7. The city is two hours behind Durham, where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located.
The busiest route is from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX). Take your pick of 13 services every week between these two airports. If you want to get on your way as soon as possible, the earliest flight from RDU to PHX is the 05:35 Southwest Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the final departure is at 19:35 with Southwest Airlines.
For a relaxed start to your RDU to Phoenix flight, allow plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like June, it's a good idea to get to the airport even earlier. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
You can book a direct Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix ticket. Start your journey at RDU and end it at Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX).
American Airlines is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix.
RDU is around 16 kilometres from central Durham. If you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving from the centre, it'll take 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Planning to catch an early flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix? Avoid the stress of rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these hotels close to RDU:
When it comes to Raleigh-Durham International Airport's on-time performance, 78% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to Phoenix
The best price we've seen for a one-way Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix flight is $140. The cheapest price for a return flight is $278. Keep in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
To find cheap flights from RDU to Phoenix, book as early as you can. Airlines usually offer their most competitively priced fares when tickets are first released.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix throughout the month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an even bigger deal on cheap flights from RDU to Phoenix.
Find an affordable flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport (PHX) to central Phoenix takes about 10 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 5 kilometres away.
Getting there by public transport will take you around 25 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix. Reserve one of these accommodation options near PHX instead:
Reserving your vehicle from Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport around one week in advance of your flight from RDU to Phoenix can help you get the lowest rate.
The street address for PHX is 3400 Sky Harbour Boulevard.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
After your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix has hit the tarmac, you can get to the city centre in about 30 minutes by car. Central Phoenix is roughly 32 kilometres from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA).
If you travel by public transport, the ride to the centre takes 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel close to AZA. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your RDU to Phoenix flight:
Get the lowest price by booking your ride from AZA two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a bigger selection of vehicles.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is located at 6033 S. Sossaman Rd..
Best time to go to Phoenix
March is the most popular month for flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix. To steer clear of the crowds, plan your trip to Phoenix in October.
Book a Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix plane ticket with a departure in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 27ºC to 45ºC.
If you want cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from RDU to Phoenix in January when temperatures average between 4ºC and 21ºC.
More about Phoenix
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in Phoenix right here. Browse these options as soon as you've booked your flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Phoenix:
Yayoi Kusama Fireflies Infinity Mirror Room and Camelback Mountain are just two of the popular attractions to put on your Phoenix to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Heard Museum.
Explore more of the United States
Phoenix has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of the United States waiting to be explored. About 483 kilometres west of Phoenix, a visit to San Diego will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with leading attractions like San Diego Zoo, San Diego Balboa Park and USS Midway Museum.
If you're interested in discovering another well-known destination in the United States, consider Las Vegas, about 418 kilometres northwest of Phoenix. Ciudad del Pecado o Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip and Fountains of Bellagio are key reasons to visit.