Comparison · Phoenix vs Sedona · United States
Phoenix vs Sedona
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: DPPed, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Phoenix for Sonoran Desert, Camelback Mountain, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife; choose Sedona for Red rock buttes and Hiking. Phoenix is generally less expensive, and the two are about 161 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 161 km
- Less expensive
- Phoenix
- Best time for Phoenix
- November–April
- Best time for Sedona
- March–May and September–November
Side by side
| Phoenix | Sedona | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Sonoran Desert, Camelback Mountain and Saguaro cacti | Red rock buttes, Hiking and Cathedral Rock |
| Best time to visit | November–April | March–May and September–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$380 | $260–$450 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 41°C (106°F) | July, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | December, 13°C (55°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 6 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | PHX, AZA | PHX, FLG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Phoenix for…
Sonoran Desert, Camelback Mountain, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert, ringed by rocky mountain parks such as Camelback, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain, where saguaro cacti grow minutes from downtown. Winters are sunny and warm, which makes the Valley of the Sun a major escape from November…
Choose Sedona for…
Red rock buttes and Hiking. Sedona is a small town of about 10,000 people at roughly 1,300 metres, surrounded by towering red sandstone buttes such as Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte in the Coconino National Forest. Most visits revolve around hiking, jeep tours and…
Top sights compared
| # | Phoenix | Sedona |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert Botanical Garden | Cathedral Rock |
| 2 | Heard Museum | Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte |
| 3 | Camelback Mountain | Chapel of the Holy Cross |
| 4 | Piestewa Peak | Devil's Bridge |
| 5 | South Mountain Park and Preserve | Red Rock State Park |
Food compared
| Phoenix | Sedona |
|---|---|
| Sonoran hot dog | Prickly pear margarita |
| Chimichanga | Navajo taco |
| Cheese crisp | Elote |
| Carne asada tacos | Green chile |
Which is cheaper?
Phoenix is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $200–$380 per person there, against $260–$450 in Sedona (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Phoenix on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Phoenix and Sedona are about 161 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Phoenix and 3 in Sedona.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Phoenix or Sedona cheaper?
Phoenix is usually less expensive: about $200–$380 a day mid-range against $260–$450 (estimates).
+Is Phoenix or Sedona better for a first trip?
Pick Phoenix for Sonoran Desert, Camelback Mountain, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife, or Sedona for Red rock buttes and Hiking.
+How far is Phoenix from Sedona?
About 161 km in a straight line.