Phoenix Super Bowl Travel Guide
Phoenix is the place to be for the weekend of February 1-4, even if you don't have tickets to the Super Bowl. It's not too late to find a good price on a hotel room and a flight to Phoenix. Between the big game, the FBR Open PGA golf tournament, and the countless parties in Tempe and Scottsdale, expect a Mardi Gras-type atmosphere.
Although officially being hosted by Phoenix, Super Bowl XLII will rely heavily upon the towns and cities that comprise the greater Phoenix area. The game itself will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, about ten miles West of Phoenix. ESPN, DirecTV, and others will be holding their official parties in downtown Scottsdale, while the masses flood the town's nightclubs. And nearby Tempe and Mesa will provide lodging and entertainment for droves of out-of-towners. So visitors have plenty of options for where to stay, party, and enjoy the game.
Though just a few weeks away, there's still time to plan an unforgettable trip. Whether you have tickets to the big game, or are planning to take in the energy of the town, this guide will be an indispensable companion on your trip. Need a sports bar for pre-game revelry, or a map to help you navigate the downtown? From the logistics of trip planning, like finding accommodations and transportation, to advice on how to spend your pre and post game days, it's all here. Make your Phoenix Super Bowl XLII experience an unforgettable one.
If you want to learn about the action on the field, be sure to check out our Super Bowl XLII: Patriots vs. Giants Guide for news, stats, and analysis of the teams.
Although officially being hosted by Phoenix, Super Bowl XLII will rely heavily upon the towns and cities that comprise the greater Phoenix area. The game itself will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, about ten miles West of Phoenix. ESPN, DirecTV, and others will be holding their official parties in downtown Scottsdale, while the masses flood the town's nightclubs. And nearby Tempe and Mesa will provide lodging and entertainment for droves of out-of-towners. So visitors have plenty of options for where to stay, party, and enjoy the game.
Though just a few weeks away, there's still time to plan an unforgettable trip. Whether you have tickets to the big game, or are planning to take in the energy of the town, this guide will be an indispensable companion on your trip. Need a sports bar for pre-game revelry, or a map to help you navigate the downtown? From the logistics of trip planning, like finding accommodations and transportation, to advice on how to spend your pre and post game days, it's all here. Make your Phoenix Super Bowl XLII experience an unforgettable one.
If you want to learn about the action on the field, be sure to check out our Super Bowl XLII: Patriots vs. Giants Guide for news, stats, and analysis of the teams.
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Getting to the Phoenix Super Bowl
Surprises should happen during the game, but not on your way there. Use the sites below to plan a smooth trip to the Phoenix Super Bowl, whether you'll be flying, riding the bus, or taking a good old-fashioned road-trip.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Phoenix's main airport is Sky Harbor International, the largest in the Southwest, and a hub for both Southwest and U.S. airways.
- There is no train route going directly into Phoenix. Amtrak has train service in Arizona, but you must transfer to a bus in either Flagstaff or Tucson (both more than 100 miles away) to get into Phoenix. The process is difficult and most travel Web sites suggest alternative methods.
- Greyhound buses arrive in Phoenix from multiple U.S. locations. The terminal is near the airport.
- If you're driving into Phoenix, consider the following commonly used routes: Interstate 10 from the south and west; Interstate 17 from the north; and U.S. Route 60 from the east. From Payson, AZ, north of Phoenix, take Arizona Route 87.
- The findingDulcinea Travel Web Guide equips savvy travelers with the Web's best resources for finding cheap airfare.
- Consider flying into Tucson International Airport which is about a two hour drive from Phoenix. Jet Blue and American Airlines both have flights there.
Dulcinea's Picks
For flights ...
Kayak
is the Web's leading travel search engine, which recently acquired industry competitor Sidestep. By running user searches across hundreds of individual airlines' pages, and those of other travel search sites like Orbitz and Travelocity, Kayak finds users great deals on airfare. Results are organized by price, and are easy to sort.
Farecast
predicts the fluctuation of airline ticket prices by consulting a database of more than a billion airfares. This page lists the best deals on flights to Phoenix in the near future, including last minute fares and special fares for families. Each listing includes a note as to whether the fare is holding steady or rising, so you'll know how fast to act on a purchase.
For airlines ...
Southwest Airlines
offers some of the lowest rates available on flights within the United States. Southwest does not offer fares on search sites like Kayak, so you must book directly through this site. To find deals, be sure to check the "Special Offers" section located in the top toolbar.
U.S. Airways
counts Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport as a hub, offering numerous flights to and from the city. This site has a clean design and is easy to navigate. Sign up for Dividend Miles to be eligible for discounted fares
For buses ...
Greyhound
Bus Lines has a terminal next to the Phoenix airport, and has multiple routes into the city from locations near and far. No reservations are required, and seats are first-come, first-served, so you are advised to arrive early to buy your ticket. At the Greyhound site, get departure and arrival times, as well as a list of stations in each state.
For a car rental ...
Thrifty Car Rental
has a pick-up location at Phoenix Airport, and you can drop off the car at a different location. Use this site to book a car, among several model and make options.
National Car Rental
has pick-up and drop-off locations in Tucson, Mesa, and Flagstaff, in addition to Phoenix. This could be especially convenient if you plan to stay outside of Phoenix during Super Bowl Weekend.
Fodor's
offers a succinct rundown of additional driving route options in its Phoenix-Scottsdale travel guide.
For maps ...
Google Maps
make it easy to drive from place to place, whether it's within Arizona, around Phoenix, or across the United States. Enter departure and destination addresses for written directions and a detailed map of the suggested route.
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Getting Around the City of Phoenix During the Super Bowl
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© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
