PHX to Payson AZ Airport Shuttle
Round Trips Save You 10%
How is Your Service Different?
- Any Address - We pick you up at your home, hotel or PHX.
- Better - most rides are non-stop in a nice car.
- Flexible - we pick you up on your schedule 24/7.
- Safer - we don't leave you at a bus stop and we have better drivers.
- Faster - most rides take half the time and it's just you in the vehicle.
- More Convenient - door to door and no need to arrange or pay for other companies to get home.
- Affordable - once you add it all up, it's the same price.
Our Daily Schedule
What is your daily schedule?
We pick you up on your schedule 24/7. Our professional drivers are normally 5-10 minutes early at your home, or right on time at PHX. You get to pick the time we pick you up.
What is my pickup time at the airport?
We normally pick you up 30 minutes after your plane lands for domestic flights, or 45 minutes after for international flights.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Pickup times automatically adjust to 30 minutes after you land if your flight is delayed for domestic flights, or 45 minutes after you land for international flights.
What happens if my flight arrives early?
Call or send us a text if you want us to pick you up early, and we will let your driver know that you are ready to be picked up. Otherwise, we will pick you up at the scheduled time on your reservation.
How soon should I make a reservation?
Although there is no set rule that prevents you from booking a PHX to Payson Shuttle last minute, it's a good idea to make your reservation as soon as possible to make sure a driver is available and prevent any delays.
How long does it take to go from Phoenix or Payson?
Trips to and from Payson in normal traffic are about an hour and 30 minutes versus about three hours on the bus or a shuttle with a bunch of people. Rush hour will normally add 15-45 minutes (30 minutes on the average).
What time should I be picked up?
3 hours before is normally enough time. PHX recommends you to be there 2 hours early to get through security and to your plane. Boarding usually starts 30 minutes before your plane takes off. However, one hour and thirty minutes is normally enough time. So if the drive from Payson to PHX takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, then 3 hours before your flight takes off is normally good.
Our Better Drivers
Who are your drivers?
Most of our shuttle drivers have been driving professionally with the public for more than 10 years. They have excellent people skills and are usually very knowledgeable about the area (what to do, best restaurants, history and attractions). Some of our drivers are also professional tour guides that go to the Grand Canyon and many other destinations.
We have high standards for our shuttle drivers including safety, reliability and customer service. They are very helpful with bags. They get the door for you. Everyone goes through extensive background checks with PHX in order to pick up passengers.
We also train them by driving them through PHX, explaining all the rules, and showing them where to pick people up and drop people off.
Our Great Company
With more than 100,000 customers and more than 8 years in business, Airport Shuttle of Phoenix owns PHX to Payson Shuttle, and has drivers all over the State of Arizona. Our main office is 5 minutes from PHX.
Main Office
4600 E Washington St Ste 300
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Travel and Hospitality Award Winner - 6 Years in a Row
Testimonials and Reviews
Click here to read lots of excellent reviews from real customers.
The Route: Phoenix to Payson via the Beeline Highway
Your ride from Phoenix Sky Harbor to Payson covers roughly 90 miles, almost all of it along State Route 87, better known as the Beeline Highway. It's a four-lane divided road the whole way, so the drive is smooth and comfortable — expect about an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes door to door.
The scenery is half the trip. You'll climb from around 1,100 feet in Phoenix to about 5,000 feet in Payson, passing Fountain Hills and the Fort McDowell area before winding through the Mazatzal Mountains and the middle of Tonto National Forest. Saguaros slowly give way to juniper and pine, and by the time you roll into town, you've gained real elevation and real cool air.
Getting to Payson from PHX Without a Car
Payson has no commercial airport and no direct transit connection to Phoenix, so travelers without a car have historically been stuck choosing between an expensive rideshare or a long, awkward combination of buses. A door-to-door shuttle solves that. You get picked up at Sky Harbor's terminal and dropped off at your hotel, home, or campground in Payson — no transfers, no dragging bags across town.
It also works in reverse. If you live in Payson and need to catch a flight, a shuttle gets you to your PHX terminal on your schedule, not a bus timetable. And if your plans stretch beyond town — Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is just a short detour north, and the Rim Lakes sit up SR 260 — just mention it when you book and we'll talk through your options.
Who Rides the PHX-Payson Shuttle?
The Phoenix-to-Payson corridor attracts a surprising mix of travelers, and each one has a slightly different reason for skipping the drive.
- Rim Country vacationers heading up for cooler weather, cabin rentals, and weekend getaways near the Mogollon Rim.
- Campers and anglers with gear bound for Woods Canyon Lake, Willow Springs Lake, and other Rim Lakes along SR 260.
- Snowbirds splitting the year between the Valley and a Payson home or cabin.
- Commuters and second-home owners who fly in and out of PHX regularly without keeping a car in Phoenix.
- Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts exploring Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Tonto National Forest trails.
- Rodeo fans and festival-goers visiting during Payson's famous events downtown.
- Students and family visitors connecting with relatives in Rim Country without a driver's license.
Best Times to Travel Between Phoenix and Payson
The Beeline Highway is drivable year-round, but timing still matters. Summer is the biggest draw — Payson runs roughly 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix, so midday arrivals feel great when the Valley is sweltering. Just keep in mind that monsoon storms build on summer afternoons, so a morning departure often means smoother weather on the climb through the Mazatzals.
Winter brings a different consideration: Payson sits near 5,000 feet, and the country up toward the Rim can get snow. Roads are usually fine, but it's worth allowing a little extra time. If you'd like to spot elk or deer near the Rim, dusk is when they're most active — though that's exactly when you want your driver watching the road, not the scenery.
PHX to Payson Shuttle FAQ
Quick answers to the questions we hear most from travelers riding between Sky Harbor and Payson. Don't see yours? Reach out and we'll help you plan the trip.
What is the drive like on the Beeline Highway?
The Beeline (State Route 87) is a four-lane divided highway for nearly the entire 90-mile run, so it's an easy, comfortable ride. You'll pass Fountain Hills and Fort McDowell, then climb through the Mazatzal Mountains and Tonto National Forest. The elevation change — about 1,100 feet up to roughly 5,000 feet — means the air cools off noticeably as you go. Total drive time is typically an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes.
Can I bring camping or cabin gear with me?
Yes. Plenty of our riders are headed to the Rim Lakes or a rented cabin, so we're used to coolers, sleeping bags, duffels, and fishing rods. When you book, tell us roughly what you're bringing — especially bulky items like coolers or camp chairs — so we can match you with a vehicle that has room for everything. Pack your gear so it's easy to load, and we'll handle the rest.
What about mountain weather between Phoenix and Payson?
The climb from the desert to the pine country is exactly why people make this trip, but it does change conditions. Summer afternoons can bring monsoon storms with heavy rain and lightning on the Beeline. In winter, snow is possible near Payson and especially up toward the Rim. We watch conditions before every trip and leave extra time when the forecast calls for it, so you arrive safely rather than quickly.
Can we stop for groceries in Payson?
Absolutely — it's one of the most common requests we get. Payson has full-size grocery stores, and if you're headed to a cabin or campground up toward the Rim, stocking up before you leave town saves you a long drive back. Let us know when you book that you'd like a grocery stop, and we'll build it into your trip so you can grab supplies on the way to your final destination.
Can you take me somewhere beyond Payson itself?
In many cases, yes. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park — home to the world's largest natural travertine bridge — is a short drive north of town, and the Rim Lakes like Woods Canyon and Willow Springs sit along SR 260. Payson's historic Main Street and Green Valley Park are easy stops too. Tell us where you're headed when you book, and we'll confirm the drop-off and any extra travel time involved.
Do you pick up outside Sky Harbor, like in Scottsdale or Mesa?
Often we can. The Beeline Highway starts in the East Valley, so pickup points in Mesa, Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, and other parts of metro Phoenix can be arranged depending on your location and timing. If you're not flying in and just need a ride from your home or hotel, mention your starting address when you book and we'll confirm whether a door pickup works for your trip.
Is there cell coverage along the route?
Mostly yes, but with gaps. The stretch of SR 87 through the Mazatzal Mountains and the heart of Tonto National Forest has spotty spots where calls can drop and data slows down — it's real backcountry for about half the drive. Coverage returns as you approach Fountain Hills and again near Payson. Plan any important calls or messages for before the climb or after you're through the mountains.
Will we see elk or deer on the way?
Possibly, especially in the evening. Elk and deer are most active around Payson and the areas up toward the Mogollon Rim at dusk, and travelers sometimes spot them from the highway. That's also exactly why our drivers stay sharp in low light — wildlife on the road is a genuine hazard at twilight. Enjoy the view from the passenger seat and let your driver handle the edges of the day.