Denver to Phoenix

Compare Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) airfare across Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit, track fare trends on one of the busiest short-haul routes in the Mountain West, and trade the Rockies for the desert in about 1 hour 50 minutes.

  • Flexible Dates
  • No Booking Fees
  • Free Cancellation Options
  • Best Price Guarantee
- Want to save more? -

Get the Best Unpublished Fares and Save $100 Extra

or request an offer
Passengers
1
MM/DD/YY
MM/DD/YY
Route

DEN–PHX

Distance

969 KM

Flight Time

1H 50M

Weekly Flights

130+

Fares From

$39

Carriers

WN · UA · F9 · NK

Compare & Book

Cheap Flights from Denver to Phoenix — Compare Our Best Deals

With 130+ nonstop weekly departures, Denver to Phoenix is one of the busiest short-haul routes in the Mountain West, anchored by two of Frontier and United’s hub cities. Browse one-way fares from $39, round-trip fares from $69, and compare Southwest’s high-frequency schedule against United, Frontier, and Spirit.

DEN Denver ✈ PHX Phoenix
One Way

$39

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · Southwest, United, Frontier, Spirit

DEN Denver ✈ PHX Phoenix
Round Trip

$69

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · Southwest, United, Frontier, Spirit

Airlines with Flights from Denver to Phoenix

DEN–PHX runs nonstop on four carriers at near-hourly frequency, one of the most competitively priced short routes in the region.

AirlineBase / HubWeekly DeparturesFlight TimeCode
Southwest AirlinesDenver (DEN) base~45 nonstop1h 45m – 1h 55mWN
United AirlinesDenver (DEN) hub~35 nonstop1h 50mUA
Frontier AirlinesDenver (DEN) hub~30 nonstop1h 50mF9
Spirit AirlinesPhoenix (PHX) base~14 nonstop1h 55mNK
Route Insights

Cheap Flights from Denver to Phoenix — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time

Data-backed insights on the DEN–PHX route to help you book smarter and time your trip well.

19

Daily Flights

Sept

Cheapest Month

1h 51m

Avg. Flight Duration

Feb

Peak Season

602 mi

Distance

100%

Nonstop Flights

What's the cheapest day to fly DEN → PHX?

Fare history shows Tuesday and Wednesday departures run cheapest, while Friday and Saturday run highest as winter snowbird and golf-trip traffic peaks.

What's the cheapest month to fly?

September, in the shoulder season before winter demand kicks in, tends to run cheapest, while February — peak snowbird and Cactus League season — sees the steepest average prices.

Good To Know

Insights About Flying from Denver to Phoenix

Which is the high season to travel from Denver to Phoenix?

January and February are peak season, as Colorado snowbirds and golf travelers head to the Valley of the Sun — expect higher fares and fuller flights.

Which is the low season to travel from Denver to Phoenix?

September is typically the low season, before winter demand ramps up and after the intense summer desert heat has peaked.

How many daily flights are there between DEN and PHX?

There are roughly 19 nonstop flights per day between Denver and Phoenix, spread across Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit.

Which is the busiest day for passengers on this route?

Friday is typically busiest, as weekend golf and winter-getaway travelers head to Phoenix.

At what time does the last flight depart to Phoenix?

The last nonstop flight typically departs Denver between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM, depending on the carrier.

At what time does the earliest flight depart from Denver?

The earliest nonstop departure leaves DEN around 6:00 AM, landing in Phoenix by mid-morning local time.

What share of travelers are seasonal snowbirds?

An estimated 25% of winter DEN–PHX flyers are seasonal residents staying for an extended period, alongside a large golf and business-travel segment.

What percentage of travelers booked business class?

Around 7% of travelers book United’s premium cabin on this route — the other three carriers don’t offer one at all.

Why Phoenix

Why Fly to Phoenix from Denver?

Phoenix is a year-round desert escape from Colorado winters — warm, dry, and golf-course-dense, with the Grand Canyon and Sedona both within reach.

01

Winter Sun & Golf

With near-guaranteed sunshine and over 200 golf courses in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is a top winter draw for Denver travelers escaping the mountain cold.

02

Sedona Red Rocks

The famous red-rock formations of Sedona are about a 2-hour drive north — a favourite day trip for hikers and photographers alike.

03

Grand Canyon South Rim

A long but doable day trip from Phoenix, or an easy overnight, puts one of the world’s great natural landmarks within reach of your flight.

04

Old Town Scottsdale

Upscale shopping, spas, and desert-modern dining sit just outside Phoenix proper — a favourite base for a longer winter stay.

05

Desert Botanical Garden

A striking introduction to Sonoran Desert plant life, best visited in the cooler morning or evening hours.

06

Cactus League Spring Training

Every March, Major League Baseball’s Cactus League brings spring training games across the Phoenix area — a big draw for Colorado Rockies fans.

— Airport Guide

DEN & PHX — Quick Facts

Denver International

ICAO Code
KDEN

Distance to Downtown Denver

~40 km NE
Terminals
1 (A/B/C concourses)

Transit to Downtown

~37 min, A Line commuter rail

Known For

One of the largest airports by land area in the U.S.
 

Time Zone

Mountain (MT)

Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

ICAO Code
KPHX

Distance to the Strip

~5 km E
Terminals

3

Also Serves

Scottsdale, Tempe, the Valley

Time Zone Note

No DST — matches MT in winter only

Time Zone

Mountain Standard (year-round)
 
— Save More

How to Find the Cheapest Denver–Phoenix Fares

01

Book 3–5 Weeks Ahead for Winter Travel

Seasonal snowbird and golf demand pushes fares up fast in peak winter months — book further out than you would in shoulder season.

02

Fly Tuesday or Wednesday

Midweek departures are consistently cheaper than Friday or Saturday flights during peak winter travel periods.

03

Compare All Four Carriers

Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit all fly nonstop at high frequency — price out bags and seat selection on each before booking.

04

Travel in Shoulder Season

September and early October typically offer the best combination of price and availability before winter demand kicks in.

05

Set a Fare Alert

Winter capacity fills quickly on this route — an alert catches fare drops early, before peak-season pricing sets in.

06

Watch for Cactus League Dates

March spring-training games push Phoenix hotel and flight demand up — book early if your trip lines up with the schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

For winter travel, aim to book 3–5 weeks ahead as snowbird and golf demand fills seats early. Shoulder-season trips have more flexibility.

Yes, Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit all operate scheduled nonstop service year-round, with a typical flight time of about 1 hour 50 minutes.

Southwest and United together operate the majority of nonstop flights, with Frontier and Spirit adding budget-focused options.

Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost fares are the most restrictive. United's standard fares and Southwest offer more flexibility; always check fare rules at checkout.

Book 3–5 weeks ahead, fly midweek, compare all four carriers, and travel in shoulder months like September if your dates are flexible.

No — Arizona doesn't observe DST, so Phoenix and Denver share the same clock time only during the winter months.

The Complete Guide

Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Denver to Phoenix

What to Expect
A Busy, Competitively Priced Short-Haul

At just over 600 miles, Denver to Phoenix is one of the busiest Mountain West routes, with nearly 20 daily departures across four carriers. Demand and fares both rise through the winter as Colorado snowbirds and golfers head south.

Budget Tips
What You’ll Actually Pay

One-way fares typically start around $39 and round-trips from $69, among the lower price points in this guide thanks to heavy competition. Prices rise through peak winter and ease in shoulder months.

Booking Advice
Read the Fare Rules First

Frontier and Spirit’s ultra-low base fares often exclude checked bags, carry-ons, and seat selection. Tally those extras before comparing against United or Southwest.

Ready to Book Your Cheap Flight to Phoenix?

Compare Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit, lock in your DEN → PHX fare, and trade the mountains for the sun. No booking fees — ever.

- Want to save more? -

Get the Best Unpublished Fares and Save $100 Extra

or request an offer
Passengers
1
MM/DD/YY
MM/DD/YY
Your Privacy

When you visit AirlineTickets, we may store cookies on your browser to enhance your browsing experience and collect information about your preferences, device, and website usage. This information helps us ensure the website functions properly, improves performance, and delivers a more personalized experience tailored to your needs.

You have the option to manage your cookie preferences and disable certain types of cookies at any time. Please note that restricting some cookies may affect the functionality of the website and limit certain services or features we can provide.

Strictly Necessary Cookies are essential for the operation of our website and cannot be disabled. These cookies support core functions such as displaying the cookie consent banner, saving your preferences, maintaining secure logins, and managing account sessions.

To learn more about the First-Party and Third-Party Cookies used on our website, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
More information