Getting to Sedona
Sedona has no commercial airline service. Sedona Airport is general aviation only — private, charter, and scenic flights. You cannot buy a ticket into Sedona.
Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) and drive about two hours, or Flagstaff Pulliam (FLG) and drive about 50 minutes if the fares and schedules work. Phoenix has vastly more flights; Flagstaff is far closer.
Arrive via SR 179 from I-17 rather than any other way. It's the Red Rock Scenic Byway — an All-American Road, the top tier of the federal scenic byway programme — and the approach into the red rocks is genuinely part of the trip.
Drive times
| From | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) | ~116–123 mi | ~2h–2h15m |
| Flagstaff | ~29 mi | ~49 min |
| Grand Canyon South Rim | ~113 mi | ~2h10m |
| Las Vegas, NV | ~279 mi | ~4h36m |
These are typical figures from routing services rather than an official authority, so treat them as approximate — and add time in spring and on autumn weekends, when SR 179 backs up at the roundabouts.
The Phoenix drive runs I-17 north, then exit onto SR 179. That takes you in through the Village of Oak Creek past Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte — the best possible first impression. Coming from Flagstaff you descend SR 89A through Oak Creek Canyon and its switchbacks, which is spectacular and slow.
Airports
Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) — the practical choice. Major hub, every rental company, roughly a two-hour drive.
Flagstaff Pulliam (FLG) — much closer at about 50 minutes, but a small airport with limited routes, usually connecting through Phoenix or Dallas. Worth checking; rarely cheaper.
Sedona Airport (KSEZ) — general aviation only. No scheduled airline service. It's worth knowing about for a different reason: it sits on Airport Mesa, and the scenic-flight operators based there are how you see the red rocks from above.
Without a car: there's no public-agency bus service to Sedona. Groome Transportation runs scheduled commercial shuttles from Phoenix Sky Harbor with several daily trips, and a Flagstaff–Sedona route that is seasonal (roughly March to October) and needs advance reservations. It's a private operator, not public transit. Once here, the free Sedona Shuttle reaches five trailheads but nothing else — realistically, you want a car.
Frequently asked questions
Can you fly into Sedona?
Not commercially. Sedona Airport is general aviation only — private, charter and scenic flights. Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor (about two hours away) or Flagstaff Pulliam (about 50 minutes).
How far is Sedona from Phoenix?
Roughly 116–123 miles, about two hours to two and a quarter by car via I-17 north to SR 179.
How far is Sedona from the Grand Canyon?
About 113 miles from the South Rim, roughly two hours ten minutes.
Do I need a car in Sedona?
Realistically yes. The free Sedona Shuttle serves five trailheads, but Oak Creek Canyon, the Chapel, the Boynton Pass Road trails and the heritage sites all require a vehicle.
What's the most scenic way to arrive?
SR 179 from I-17 — the Red Rock Scenic Byway, designated an All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration in 2006. It brings you in through the Village of Oak Creek past Bell Rock.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.