The Sky Train service to the 44th St. station provides people who want to rent a car with an option to save 40-50% on the cost of the rental. This is because the main car rental at the airport (which isn't really at the airport) charges ridiculous fees and taxes.

Here's the alternative, the one I booked for my husband. Book your car with Enterprise at the "Phoenix East" location. Call the Enterprise office directly when you're ready to get on the train, they will come to the Sky Train station to pick you up. Ask for directions, they told me "Exit the station down the escalator to the right and look for the shuttles pickup area." They also said taking the Sky Train would save a $20 taxi ride from the airport, perhaps they meant RT (not sure).

Same procedure in reverse to return to the airport AND there is a baggage check at the 44th St. station for outbound pax on Southwest or USAir. The quote for a 2-day economy car rental at the airport was $135 and $79 from the Phoenix East location. A no-brainer.

I lived in Phoenix for over 20 years and have been preaching against renting a car at the airport for a LONG time. Enterprise via the Sky Train is the ticket. I have no affiliation at all with Enterprise, I just like to spend money wisely.

About one more year left to go. The next stage to terminal 2/3 is schedule to open sometime in early 2015.

Loved the sky train when we visited Phoenix. It was easy to use and quickly got us to the downtown Kimpton hotel.

A follow-up to my Jan 14th post recommending Enterprise at the Phoenix East location. My husband had a smooth-as-silk experience with taking the sky train and being picked up and returned by Enterprise. He had the same driver both ways and tipped the guy $10, said it was so worth it for an easy experience. And he was only charged for one day, so about $37 vs. the $135 quote at the main airport location.

We have an upcoming trip to PHX and I may do this. Looks like I can save $75 or so on a rental, for not too much more hassle.

Friandly reminder,

PHX SkyTrain will be shut down from 10pm to 5am for each night on July 12 to July 25, 2014. Please take on the terminal shuttle bus. Thank you for the understanding. They are preparing testing to terminals 2/3 station.

Here is the link:

http://skyharbor.com/pdf/SkyTrainShutdownCalendar.pdf

This is for overnight shutdowns.

The next stage to terminal 2/3 station is schedule to open
 

Hi All,

Great news for Sky Harbor Traveler!!!

The next PHX SkyTrain to terminals 2/3 station is schedule to open on December 8, 2014 at noon.

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/n...8&t=1417644868

I thought we have wait for next Janurary 2015? Happy traveling!!!!

Oh wow that is great news! ^

Thanks to N830MH for posting this news.

Nice!

If only LAX had....

I lived in both LA and Phoenix. Can't believe that PHX has direct rail link before LAX.

If you're a Hertz person, there's a HLE at Dobson/Main in Mesa...which is right near a light rail station.

I rented from there recently when I was having some work done on my car. While I was inside, I saw a train go by and asked the agent about it. He said that he's gotten several customers who flew in, then took the rail out.

By no means is it a short ride on the rail (plan on 45 min). And that HLE closes at 6pm M-F (with limited hours on weekends).

Hi All,

Here some photos the terminal 3 station. It's beautiful!!! Gorgeous!! We really likes it lots.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...T3Station1.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../Escatator.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...r/Platform.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...T3Platform.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1.../WalktoT3a.jpg

Video of PHX SkyTrain to terminal 3 station.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4JLiJWCK0I

Enjoy!

That is gorgeous. Where is the entrance to the Skytrain though? On the Gate Level, Baggage Level? Etc.

Actually, this is level 2 near TSA checkpoint right next to Sbarro, retail store and etc.

This is a wonderfully useful piece of information - there should be a permanent wiki at the top of this thread with this item. I booked at Enterprise and the price was 1/3 the airport price for the other majors. I called the location - they were very friendly and told me that they pick up people at the Sky Train Station many times a day. And if you are from Canada you don't need an international driver's license, despite what the reservation says. Thanks so much for the great post!