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Philipsburg

Philipsburg is the capital of Sint Maarten on the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean sea. It is a busy port for cruise ships and one of the Caribbean's best shopping spots.

Get around
If you are staying on the island for multiple days, don't be afraid to explore. Rent a car; it is very simple to get around and people are friendly. You can get around the island in about 1 and a half hours total time. Don't leave anything of value in the car.

Do

 * Self Driver Boat and Snorkel
 * Segway Ride Island Sightseeing Tours
 * Top speed Boat Cruise
 * Fine Cuisine Sail Boat Tour
 * Check out the butterfly farm located on the French side of the island.
 * Have a horse back ride down the beach at coconut grove.

Buy
Shopping is duty free on the island. Also see notes for St Martin.

Eat
See Saint Martin

Drink
Try local drinks such as Guavaberry Liqueur which is sold in the authentic store at the head of the main streets in the heart of the town of Philipsburg.

Sleep
(see same topic for Saint Martin)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Philipsburg


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Phillip Island

Phillip Island is a large island at the mouth of Western Port Bay, less than two hours drive from Melbourne in Victoria. Because of its proximity to the state capital, it's a popular weekend tourist destination, especially during the summer months. The island is separated from the mainland by just a channel and is connected by a bridge. It is part of the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland.

Understand
Cowes is the main town on the island, and in addition there are other smaller towns such as Rhyll, Cape Woolamai, Ventnor (closest town to the Penguin Parade) and Newhaven. The principal source of income is tourism, and there are many cafes, restaurants, etc., to cater to the appetites of the tourists.

The island is steeped in motorsport history. Australia's first ever international Grand Prix was held in 1924 on the original circuit comprising the still existing roads on Phillip Island. The annual Australian Grand Prix, an official round of the World MotoGP plus a round of the World Superbike (WBSK) is held at the 1950s purpose-built Motor Racing Circuit, and draws a massive contingent of motor sport fans (colloquially known as "petrolheads") every year.

Get in
There are a multitude of ways to reach the Island.

By car
The journey from the Melbourne City Centre to Cowes is just over 140 km and takes about 2 hours (it can take up to 3 hours during major events such as the Grand Prix). The main route is down the Monash Freeway towards Warragul, turning off at the South Gippsland Freeway (M420), South Gippsland Highway (M420) and Bass Highway (M420/B420) and following the signs. Phillip Island is connected by a two-lane bridge to the small fishing town of San Remo on the mainland.

By bus
V/Line runs public coaches from Southern Cross Station in Melbourne's CBD to Cowes and Inverloch via Dandenong & Koo Wee Rup. You will need to catch the coach towards Yarram in the state's east, alighting at the town of Koo Wee Rup. From there, you can transfer to another coach towards Cowes. The buses are timetabled to connect, so there should only be a 5- to 10-minute wait at Koo Wee Rup. There are 8 departures daily on weekdays, with 4 departures daily on weekends. The trip should take no more than 2½ hours. You can plan your journey at Public Transport Victoria.

By tour
A range of companies offer tours of Phillip Island if you don't want to self drive. These typically include the Penguin Parade and a range of other wildlife experiences. Grayline, APT and AAT Kings all offer 'Big Bus' tours down to the island daily, whilst Posh Penguins offers private and smaller group tours down to Phillip Island.

By ferry
If you're after a more scenic journey, a ferry departs from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula to Cowes daily.
 * From Flinders Street Station, take a metro train to Frankston
 * Transfer to a diesel train at Frankston station, alighting at the last stop, Stony Point.
 * Board the ferry at the Stony Point Wharf, adjacent to the station, towards

In total, the journey should take about 2½ hours, the same as the bus. However, you will need to pay for a ferry ticket on top of a Zone 1+2 Myki fare. The ferry departs weekdays to Phillip Island between 7:10AM and 7:25PM, on weekends ferries run less frequently. For timetabling and costs, see Western Port Ferries.

Get around
Phillip Island is not a small island. Walking from Newhaven to the Nobbies, on opposite ends of the island, would take upwards of 5 hours. Such large distances generally require a car to get around. The island's main road is Phillip Island Road, running from the bridge near Newhaven to Cowes. The turn-off to the left near Sunset Strip onto Back Beach Road provides the direct route to the Penguin Parade and the Nobbies. Most rural roads on the island have a speed limit of 80 km/h, although be wary of wildlife such as kangaroos which are known to wander onto the road.

The island has very little in the way of a public transport network. The Cowes Line bus runs six times each way weekdays, and four times on weekends; it travels between Cowes and Wonthaggi, via Anderson and San Remo along Phillip Island Road. The V/Line bus to Melbourne also follows the same route from Anderson, and can be used for making short hops along the island. Tickets can be purchased on-board both buses. There is no public bus service to the Penguin Parade, Rhyll, the Grand Prix Circuit or the Nobbies.

Phillip Island Designated Driver operates an on-demand transfer service around the island, including to destinations such as the Penguin Parade. Booking required, and a deposit must be paid in advance.

See

Do

Beaches

 * Cape Woolamai. There are several loops of walking tracks of various lengths. Doing all the walks might take up to 3 hours. Most of the cape is a huge mutton-bird or shearwater colony and the birds’ burrows are everywhere. There are few trees in much of the area but there is a section of regenerating bush. The first part of the walks is along the beach, starting near the lifesaving club.
 * Beaches. There are a large number of beaches (both sheltered beaches on the inland side and surf beaches on the ocean side of the island)
 * Scuba Diving. Phillip Island is home to some of the most spectacular scuba diving destinations in Victoria.

Sleep
There are many and varied accommodation options available for the visitor to Phillip Island. These range from hostel accommodation, caravan parks, motels to "bed and breakfast" and private short-term holiday home rental.

Stay safe
Avoid the gravel/unpaved roads at night unless you want to be hit by a roo going 80 km/h. If you absolutely have to, slow down to 60, and don't go 80.

Connect
Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all have coverage in at least the towns. But going out of the towns may be a bit and miss for Optus and Vodafone, but not a problem for Telstra.

Go next

 * French Island - Take the ferry to French Island.
 * Wilsons Prom is not too far away and is also the southern most point of the Australian continent.

title: Phillip Island


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Phillipsburg

There is more than one place called Phillipsburg:

United States of America

 * Phillipsburg (Colorado) - A town in Colorado.
 * Phillipsburg (Georgia) - A town in Georgia.
 * Phillipsburg (Kansas) - A town in Kansas.
 * Phillipsburg (Kentucky) - A town in Kentucky.
 * Phillipsburg (Missouri) - A town in Missouri.
 * Phillipsburg (Montana) - A town in Montana.
 * Phillipsburg (New Jersey) - A town in New Jersey.
 * Phillipsburg (Ohio) - A town in Ohio.
 * Phillipsburg (Texas) - A town in Texas.

 * There are also places named Philipsburg (with one L).

 * There are also places named Philippsburg (with one L and two P's).

title: Phillipsburg


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Phillipsburg (New Jersey)

Phillipsburg is an urban town in northwest New Jersey in the Skylands region of New Jersey in the United States.

Phillipsburg was once a transportation hub where five train lines and three canals came together. The canal arch of the Morris Canal can be seen when traveling down the Delaware River on canoe, kayak or raft.

The town is an Urban Enterprise Zone and many improvements are underway to bring back the town. Visitors are greeted by distinct and stunning architecture on South Main Street.

By plane
The primary and most convenient point of airline entry to Allentown and other Lehigh Valley locations is Lehigh Valley International Airport.

By car
Interstate 78 or Route 22.

By car
US Route 22 (Memorial Parkway) is the main thoroughfare, along with Interstate 78. Main Street runs through the downtown area.

By taxi

 * Akab Taxi & Transportation Services, +1 908-454-3240.

By bus
Bus services are provided by NJ Transit. On the Pennsylvania side, LANTA provides mass transit services.

By limo

 * A&A Limousine Service, or
 * J&J Transportation, or
 * Your Way Taxi & Limo,

See

 * New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center located on South Main Street, at the Phillipsburg Union Station - the former passenger station for the Central Railroad of New Jersey and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. View artifacts, maps, photos, memorabilia, model of the future New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center & souvenirs.
 * Phillipsburg Rail Road Historian. Dedicated to preserving the railroad history of Warren County and surrounding areas, features the world-famous Centerville and Southwestern miniature train ride several times a year.

Do

 * Delaware River Train Excursion - excursions along the Delaware River aboard an historic steam train, the Bel Del.
 * Lazy River Outpost - rent a tube, raft, kayak or canoe and take a trip down the Delaware River. Ecotrips available also if you love nature.
 * Lazy River Outpost - rent a tube, raft, kayak or canoe and take a trip down the Delaware River. Ecotrips available also if you love nature.

Buy

 * Phillipsburg Mall: Kohl's, J.C. Penney, H&M, Sears, Bon-Ton, Old Navy.
 * Other shopping centers on Route 22: Big Lots, Target, Wal-Mart, Lowe's, Home Depot, and others.

Phones
Phillipsburg's area code is 908. Area codes in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley are 610 and 484.

Tourist information

 * Discover Lehigh Valley, 1250 Simon Blvd., Easton,

Other Lehigh Valley locations

 * Allentown, 19.3 mi
 * Bangor, 15.1 mi
 * Bethlehem, 14 mi
 * Easton, 2.2 mi
 * Emmaus, 29.2 mi
 * Fogelsville, 26.1 mi
 * Hellertown, 16.6 mi
 * Nazareth, 11 mi
 * Slatington, 25.3 mi
 * Whitehall Township, 19.9 mi

Regional cities and locations

 * New York City, 70.1 mi

title: Phillipsburg (New Jersey)


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Phimai

Phimai (พิมาย) is a small town in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand. It is home to the Phimai Historical Park, one of Thailand's most important Angkorian sites.

Get in
Local buses run approx. every 30 minutes (05:30-22:00) from the provincial capital of Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Korat). The 60-km trip costs 50 baht and takes 70-90 minutes. Before entering the terminal which is on the outskirts, the bus may go through the town; if you see a Khmer temple, by all means get off.

From points north, disembark at Talad Kae, and wait for the local bus as above. The fare from Nong Khai is 200 baht to Talad Kae, and then 13 baht from there to Phimai.

Get around
The town itself is quite small and can be easily explored on foot. Sai Ngam, the banyan tree, is 1.5km from the ruins and is easily reached by bicycle or can be walked in 20 minutes.

See

 * is the largest banyan tree in Thailand. It is 350 years old and located 1.5km from the ruins outside the town centre to the northeast. It's a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride.
 * is the largest banyan tree in Thailand. It is 350 years old and located 1.5km from the ruins outside the town centre to the northeast. It's a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute bike ride.

Buy
The night market takes place every evening in the centre of town (16:00-21:00). The Monday market takes place each Monday on the outskirts of town, near the new bus terminal and the Phimai Inn. The 8 market takes place on the 8th, 18th and 28th of each month beyond the South Gate of Phimai, alongside the road leading to Baitey's and the Vocational School. Every day in the early morning hours and until around 8/9am, there is a morning market in Suriya Uthai Road.

Eat
The night market offers cheap, if sometimes unidentifiable, food.

Drink
The most obvious choice for late-night entertainment in the centre of town is the restaurant next to the 7-Eleven and across from the night market. It serves beer and whiskey until 01:00-02:00, and is popular with young Thais (and foreigners), who gather for celebrations and musical performances. There's daily live guitar and singing. There are also various karaoke bars scattered in and around the city.

Go next
You can either go back to Nakhon Ratchasima or take the road north to Khon Kaen. To visit another famous Khmer temple, Phanom Rung, go to Buriram or Nang Rong.

title: Phimai


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Phippsburg

Phippsburg, a coastal town in Sagadahoc County on Maine's Mid Coast, is a popular beach destination.

Understand
The location where the popular movie Message In A Bottle was filmed, Phippsburg includes some of the best beaches in the area.

Get in
There is no local or intercity public transport.

Portland (Maine) has air and rail service. From there, I-95 north to I-295 north leads to Brunswick (Maine). Exit onto US Route 1 north, following the coast up to Bath (Maine). Exit right to State Route 209, which goes through Phippsburg.

Get around
You will need a vehicle. As roads (with the exception of Route 209) are mostly narrow with no shoulder, biking can be awkward; motorcars run 40 mph on the back roads and there can be high traffic on the way to the beach in summer's high season.

As most of the town is surrounded by water, many places are easily accessible by boat.

Do
While the beaches are the main tourist attraction, fishing is good if you have access to a boat. Most local convenience stores sell tackle supplies. There's a good striper fishing spot on Parker Head Road at the mouth of Mill Pond, and fishing off the beach is popular. Set eels out on a hook on the beach or use a simple shad to catch them at the Mill Pond dam.

Buy

 * Several stores sell souvenirs at the beaches.

Drink
One may buy liquor at a grocery store for takeaway. There is a local pub, the Ledges Pub (+1 207 371-5113) at the Sebasco Resort.

Hermit Island
In 1907, there was little here but one old man with a cabin, a few sheep and no family; the cabin was left to decay after his death. A lobster fishery was built after World War II, with a camp ground opened soon after. About south of Phippsburg (follow Route 209 south to Route 216), this area is now crowded in summer with seasonal campers and sites are best reserved well in advance.

Go next

 * The nearest hotels are in Bath (Maine). The closest malls and big-box stores are in Brunswick (Maine) or Freeport. The nearest supermarkets are Shaw's in Bath and Hanniford in Brunswick. Freeport (Maine), home of the popular L.L. Bean sportswear company, offers speciality shops and outlets.
 * The closest major city is Portland (Maine), where the Maine Mall features major chains like Best Buy, JCPenney, Sports Authority and Victoria's Secret.
 * Arcadia National Park is a great place to hike; to the north, white water rafting is available further up the coast.
 * Sunday River and Black Mountain are good for mountain skiing. Sunday River has more slopes, with six mountain peaks.

title: Phippsburg


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Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok (พิษณุโลก) is a historic city in Lower Northern Thailand, about halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It has a population of around 80,000.

Understand
A city in the lower part of Northern Thailand rich in historical, cultural and natural attractions, Phitsanulok is some 377 kilometres from Bangkok. The province around it covers an area of 10,815 square kilometres, featuring mountains, plains and forest in the east and river basin. The Nan River, lifeline of the province, runs through the heart of the city.

It is also a regional commerce and transportation hub. Many travellers will at least pass through Phitsanulok on way to and from the North. The city itself is not the most exciting or prettiest place in the world, but it can be useful for stocking up on supplies, and Phitsanulok is a great starting point for exploring the ancient Thai capital of Sukhothai.

The local Tourism Authority Thailand (TAT) office is at 209/7-8 Borom Trailokanat Rd, a few streets south of the train station (walking, 5-7 min) (08:30-16:30 daily).

History
The city dates back to the 10th century when the Khmer ruled this region. Formerly, the city was named Song Khwae, meaning two rivers, as it was located between the Nan and Khwae Noi River. The original location of Song Khwae city is at Wat Chulamani. Around the year 1357, king of Sukhothai, Phra Maha Thammaracha Lithai, decided to move the town to its present location. Since then, Phitsanulok served as a strategic border town ruled by members of the royal family.

During the Ayutthaya Period, the town played a larger role as a buffer town between Ayutthaya, the capital city, and the northern kingdom. Following an administrative reform by King Borommatrailokkanat, it had served as the capital city for 25 years. After that, the town was downgraded to a strategic border town. It has played a major role in blocking the invasion of Burmese troops. King Naresuan the Great, who ruled the town in a capacity as Crown Prince, mobilized troops from Phitsanulok to fight against the Burmese who then ruled over the Siamese Kingdom, and reclaimed independence in 1584.

Phitsanulok became a strategic town in coping Burmese invasion again in 1775 in the Thon Buri period. During a tough battle, the Burmese army commander requested the appearance of a Thai commander, Chaophraya Chakri, and predicted that he would become a king. Chaophraya Chakri was later crowned the first monarch of the Rattanakosin period, King Rama I the Great of the Royal House of Chakri. Phitsanulok was upgraded to be a circle called Monthon Phitsanulok in 1894 in the reign of King Rama V. Now, Phitsanulok is a province.

By plane
Nok Air offers regular flights between and Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) (50 min). Bus 4 runs to the airport, as do tuk-tuks, for about 10-20 baht.

By train
There are several daily services from Chiang Mai and Bangkok. Phitsanulok is roughly halfway along the line, so travel times in both directions are about 6-7 hours.

Outside the train station, tuk-tuk taxis wait to take you to the main bus station.

By bus
The is 2 km east of the train station, just off Singhawat Rd (a 60 baht tuk-tuk ride) and is mainly for local/regional traffic. The new is another 7 km away and serves long-distance destinations.

You can reach the main bus station by tuk-tuk, or hop on the bus on one of the stops downtown, for instance on the broad road passing south of the Topland Plaza Hotel (a little west of the hotel). Bus stops and buses have signage in Thai only. Purple minibus goes to the main (No 1) bus station - they tend to stop on Ekathotsarot Road just south of the roundabout opposite the station.

Beware that if you are coming from the north, the bus will first stop on Bus Terminal 2 and only after that continue to the more central Bus Terminal 1.

South-North axis Bangkok - Chiang Mai
Extensive services are available to Bangkok (262 THB, 390 km, 5-7 hrs depending on the Bangkok traffic) and to Chiang Mai (202 THB, 5-6 hrs). Kingdom Tour goes to Chiang Rai at 9:50 and 12:05 (376 THB, 7h20).

East
Regular services are available, e.g. to Khon Kaen.

West: Sukhothai
Air conditioned buses operate approximately every 45 minutes from the main bus terminal (40 THB, 58 km, 07:00-18:30, 1 hrs). These are often crowded, so get in early to secure your seat.

Alternatively, tuk-tuks waiting outside the train station go to Sukhothai for 1000 THB (one of the fixed prices posted on a sign in front of the station).

Some buses continue beyond Sukhothai, e.g. to Tak.

Regional
Buses leave to towns within the province and to surrounding provinces.

Get around
Public buses serve the town and there is no shortage of tuk-tuks and taxis. Bus 1 serves the route between the central bus station and the train station in the town centre, and leaves from the short road leading from the highway to the bus station.

Decent motorcycles (Honda Wave, etc.) can be rented from the shop near the central bus station, at prices somewhat higher than the Chiang Mai standard (starting ~200 baht)

See
Phitsanulok is not well-known to foreign tourists and thus has retained the charm of a typical, larger Thai city. Unfortunately, most of the older parts of the city were destroyed in a disastrous fire decades ago.

Do
Visit the temples and stroll around a Thai city that is still unspoilt by the tourist traps of Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

Eat
Several markets offer the typical variety of food stall dishes. During the day check out the just south of the train station, which turns into a popular night market scene in the early evening. Some of the best buys are gai yang (grilled chicken) and kweitiou pat Thai (Thai style fried noodles).

If you are vegetarian you might struggle. Some places say they do vegetarian and when you investigate it includes chicken or beef, etc..

Budget

 * Tonwai Modern Place. 278 pra ong khao rd, a 15 or less minute walk from the train station and 20 or less minutes to bus terminal no.1. Doubles for 350 baht. Nice and clean rooms with TV, aircon, closet, minibar, private bathroom and a small balcony that includes a nice sunset. The owner is a Chinese Thai who speaks Thai, English and a bit of teochew. Breakfast is included, toast bread with jam and butter. Coffee, tea and chocolate. They also have a few adorable cats wandering around.
 * Phoonsab Hostel. (a short walk from Bus terminal 1). Clean and spacious rooms with toilet included. Free wi-fi. Rooms from 250-350 bath. Friendly staff that speaks a bit of English. 10 minutes walk to night market.}}
 * Tonwai Modern Place. 278 pra ong khao rd, a 15 or less minute walk from the train station and 20 or less minutes to bus terminal no.1. Doubles for 350 baht. Nice and clean rooms with TV, aircon, closet, minibar, private bathroom and a small balcony that includes a nice sunset. The owner is a Chinese Thai who speaks Thai, English and a bit of teochew. Breakfast is included, toast bread with jam and butter. Coffee, tea and chocolate. They also have a few adorable cats wandering around.
 * Phoonsab Hostel. (a short walk from Bus terminal 1). Clean and spacious rooms with toilet included. Free wi-fi. Rooms from 250-350 bath. Friendly staff that speaks a bit of English. 10 minutes walk to night market.}}
 * Tonwai Modern Place. 278 pra ong khao rd, a 15 or less minute walk from the train station and 20 or less minutes to bus terminal no.1. Doubles for 350 baht. Nice and clean rooms with TV, aircon, closet, minibar, private bathroom and a small balcony that includes a nice sunset. The owner is a Chinese Thai who speaks Thai, English and a bit of teochew. Breakfast is included, toast bread with jam and butter. Coffee, tea and chocolate. They also have a few adorable cats wandering around.
 * Phoonsab Hostel. (a short walk from Bus terminal 1). Clean and spacious rooms with toilet included. Free wi-fi. Rooms from 250-350 bath. Friendly staff that speaks a bit of English. 10 minutes walk to night market.}}
 * Tonwai Modern Place. 278 pra ong khao rd, a 15 or less minute walk from the train station and 20 or less minutes to bus terminal no.1. Doubles for 350 baht. Nice and clean rooms with TV, aircon, closet, minibar, private bathroom and a small balcony that includes a nice sunset. The owner is a Chinese Thai who speaks Thai, English and a bit of teochew. Breakfast is included, toast bread with jam and butter. Coffee, tea and chocolate. They also have a few adorable cats wandering around.
 * Phoonsab Hostel. (a short walk from Bus terminal 1). Clean and spacious rooms with toilet included. Free wi-fi. Rooms from 250-350 bath. Friendly staff that speaks a bit of English. 10 minutes walk to night market.}}

Go next
Phitsanulok is a convenient transportation hub and good stop-over from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or vice versa), or on the way between Northern and Northeastern Thailand (Isan).

There's a really nice daytrip to two temples in Khao Kho district possible (105 km east of Phitsanulok). and the Sitting Buddha Statue are around 2 1/2 hours by bus from Phitsanulok. Busses depart from the normal bus station and cost 80 Baht one way. From where the bus stops you have to walk for 25 mins up a hill (or hitch a ride on the back of a pick up truck). Both temples are quite new. The Sitting Buddha Statue temple is actually multiple Buddhas sitting in front of each other and getting smaller. The other temple (Wat Prathat Phasornkaew), which is just on the other side of the road, is completely covered in beautiful mosaic art, walls, floors and stairs are designed in a smooth, fluid way which reminded me of Antoni Gaudí. You can climb this temple quite a bit and have an amazing view on the surrounding hills. This is really Off The Beaten Path. When going back it's possible to hitch hike or take a bus. For more information you can ask the owner of the Karma Home Hostel.

 * Phichit – the town is the setting of a legend about the crocodile king, illustrated by a crocodile park. 55 km south, 40 min by train.
 * Sukhothai – ancient capital of Siam with historic monuments from the 13th century (UNESCO World Heritage site); a good day trip. 60 km (new town)/70 km (historical park) west, 1 hour by bus.
 * Uttaradit – 110 km north, 1½–2 hrs by train or bus.
 * Kamphaeng Phet – another interesting historical park from the same era as Sukhothai. 110 km southwest, 2½–3 hrs by local bus.
 * Loei – main town of the coolest (climatewise) province of Thailand. 230 km northeast, 4½ hrs by bus.
 * Khon Kaen – informal capital of Northeastern Thailand, economic and transportation hub in central Isan. 320 km east, 5–6 hrs by bus.
 * Chiang Mai – informal capital of Northern Thailand, cultural centre. 345 km north, 5:15-7 hrs by bus, 6–7½ hrs by train.
 * Bangkok – Thailand's capital and international metropolis. 375 km south, 5½ hrs by bus, 5–7 hrs by train.

title: Phitsanulok


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Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, at the confluence of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap Rivers, is the capital of Cambodia and its largest city. Having been liberated in the late 1970s from Khmer Rouge oppression, the city has exploded in activity in the 21st century and now a thumping little metropolis, small at heart but big in vibe. While not yet a rival to Bangkok, it's getting there; get it while it lasts, before it becomes Bangkok.

Understand
Phnom Penh was liberated from the Khmer Rouge by the Vietnamese in 1979, and has long remained a bit rough. Things have improved; however, some roads remain shabby, traffic is persistently chaotic, electricity occasionally strained (never mind your precious internet). But on the whole, the city is reasonably modern. The city is has gained high rise buildings and traffic lights. The beauty that made it a "Paris of the East" before 1970 is unfortunately well hidden, though a few French colonial buildings remain. The wide boulevards and promenades envisaged by the French have become parking spaces and market stalls: pedestrians are not in favour.

The most pleasant strolling is to be done along the park-like river front, which hosts cafés and restaurants aplenty. Standard tourist sights are few, which makes the city a place to watch the street life and absorb the local colour. Phnom Penh is a worthwhile destination for those who enjoy an "edgy" experience and can brave the downsides of reckless driving, noise, dust, and perennial theft.

Touts and beggars abound. A firm but polite refusal should work. Older or disabled beggars will be happy to accept 500 riel. Anyone old enough to have survived the Khmer Rouge has had a tough life. Generosity here is no bad thing. Some older people may even invoke a blessing on you for your gift. Cocky young kids demanding a dollar should not be encouraged.

The weather is hot and humid, with showers in the late afternoon in the rainy season.

History
In 1975 Phnom Penh was choked with up to 2 million refugees from the war between the then US-backed government and the Khmer Rouge. The city fell to the Khmer Rouge in 1975, who completely emptied it of civilians and allowed it to crumble for several years. The city's small class of skilled or educated professionals was systematically murdered by Pol Pot, or driven into exile.

Cambodia's developing economy and institutionalised corruption have concentrated wealth into a new class of nouveau riche that now frequent Phnom Penh's new fancy hotels and restaurants. Increasing tourist numbers are also bringing about improving tourist infrastructure.

Orientation
All of Phnom Penh's streets are numbered. Some major thoroughfares also have names. The scheme is simple: odd-numbered streets run north–south, the numbers increasing as you head west from the river, and even numbered streets run west–east, increasing as you head south (with some exceptions, e.g., the west side of what was Boeung Kak Lake).

House numbers, however, are quite haphazard. Don't expect houses to be numbered sequentially on a street; you might even find two completely unrelated houses with the same number on the same street.

Get in

 * See Cambodia | Get in for general information on getting into Cambodia.
 * See Cambodia | Get in | Visas for detailed visa information.

By plane

Getting there and away:
 * By bus – Take the relatively new Phnom Penh City Bus line 3. The stop is right outside of the airport on the main road. The line runs east through the city center to the banks of the Mekong. A ticket is 1,500 riel, from the bus driver, no change can be given.
 * By taxi – From the public taxi stand taxis cost around US$12 and tuk-tuks cost around US$8. The drivers may tell you there's a fixed price, but that's not true – the fare is subject to haggling like most things in Cambodia. Grab taxis (via phone app) are now allowed into the airport and cost about US$7 into the city. If you are willing to lug your bags outside the airport fence you can catch a tuk-tuk into town for US$5 but have to haggle hard for that price. The ride downtown can take about an hour or so and is full of car exhaust from all the traffic, so think twice about taking a tuk-tuk.
 * Cope – Make sure you have smaller denomination notes to pay your taxi driver if paying in US dollars, and inspect them carefully for rips and tears before paying. One airport taxi driver scam occurs when you go to pay in dollars: after taking your note out of view the driver will rip it slightly (which renders it useless in Cambodia) and then politely reject it. The hope is that you only have larger denomination dollar notes left, for which the driver will inevitably not have sufficient change. Show your driver how perfect your notes are upon paying and make sure they agree that each note is acceptable before handing them over.

By bus
With the financial support of China, Cambodia's main roads have improved considerably. The main highways that run on either side of the Tonle Sap from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Battambang, Sisophon, Poipet (for Thailand) and other major cities and towns are well-paved and in good condition.

The quality of buses runs the gamut, with the less desirable buses being a few dollars cheaper than more comfortable options. Safety standards are low and crashes (not always reported) are still happening, even for "quality" buses.

There is no official bus station in Phnom Penh, but transport companies are spread around the city. Try the streets just west of the central market (Mekong Express, Phnom Penh Sorya Transport, Capitol Tours, GST Express), north of the night market (Giant Ibis), or the northern part of Street 109 to find a company for leaving Phnom Penh. Bus companies will also return to these places if their office is there and when coming into the city. Beware, some passengers have experienced valuables being stolen from their luggage when stored out of sight.

Bus companies for Vietnam can be found along the boulevard south of the Olympic Stadium.

Guesthouses and travel agents throughout the city will also arrange tickets for a US$1–2 commission. Or just use your preferred booking website, like 12Go.Asia or BookMeBus.

International services
Borders are not open 24/7. Some night buses will wait at the border until it opens.

 * Bangkok – 11 hr. The bus service from Bangkok to Phnom Penh (and Siem Riep) is run by BKS (The Transport Company), a reputable Thai bus company. Buses leave Mo Chit Bus Station (buy your tickets at ticket window 22) at 05:00 via Aranyaprathet district in Sa Kaeo, where border crossing formalities are done. Return buses to Bangkok leave Phnom Penh daily at 07:00.
 * Ho Chi Minh City – 6–7 hr, hourly 07:00–13:30, around US$30. Giant Ibis is a reputable operator whose offices are centrally located in both Phnom Penh and Saigon.
 * Pakse – 14 hr. Buses arriving from Pakse enter the city at night (around 19:30-20:00) via Monivong Ave, leaving tired and emotional travellers prone to being preyed on tuk-tuk touts. Watch out!
 * Vientiane – 27 hr. A generally inconvenient and stressful trip. Contrived border procedures, multiple bus changes, tickets not being honoured, and nocturnal groping should all be expected. Travelling via Bangkok (theoretically also around 27 hr, but with tight connections) should be considered as the 20:00 Bangkok-Nong Khai (Laos border, 20 km from Vientiane) sleeper train (13 hr) will be safer and more comfortable than any overnight bus through Southern Laos.

By boat
Ferries connecting Phnom Penh to Siem Reap are suspended since COVID.

There are apparently several choices of boat between Phnom Penh and Chau Doc in Vietnam:

 * Hang Chau Speedboat (tour guide, water, snack, insurance, no pick up). Leaves from the ferry pier on Sisowath Quay, and seems to be the main affordable option other than the mythical "slow boats" (see below). Check website for schedule. Takes 4 hr, US$32
 * Mandarin Cruises, 5 hr, US$65
 * Victoria Speed Boat, 5 hr, US$65

The relevant border crossing to Vietnam is called "Song Tien landport" on Vietnam's e-Visa website, despite this place name not seeming to appear on any maps.

Many tour operators also offer a 2-nights/3-days Ho Chi Minh City–Phnom Penh Mekong Delta tour, but these are are often not worth the name — see Vietnam.

By train

One daily train exists from Sihanoukville (6 hr) and Battambang (6½–7 hr) each, with the following stops and departure times:
 * From Sihanoukville:
 * Sihanoukville – 14:00, $US10
 * Kampot – 16:00, US$9
 * Kep – 16:20, US$8
 * Takeo – 18:00, US$6
 * (Phnom Penh – 20:00)
 * Other stops along the way according to the timetable include Preak Treng Beach, Holy Hill, Veal Renh, Kompong Trach, Toukmeas, Tani, Komareachea, and Broteas Lang, but it's not clear whether the train actually stops there.

 * From Battambang:
 * Battambang – 15:00, US$8
 * Maung Russey – 16:00
 * Pursat – 17:30, US$7
 * (Phnom Penh – 22:00)
 * Other stops along the way according to the timetable include Osalao, Beung Khna, Bom Nak, Kdol, Romeas, Tbeng Khpos, and Batdeung, but it's not clear whether the train actually stops there.

The return journeys for Sihanoukville and Battambang leave in the morning at 07:00 and 06:40, respectively.

Get around
Phnom Penh's main streets are in good shape. Some smaller streets and footpaths are rutted and potholed, clogged with garbage, stagnant water, parked motorbikes, sleeping people, and building materials. Street signage is clear and Phnom Penh is logically laid out (see orientation) and navigating is not too difficult.

By motorbike
Motorbikes (but not self-drive cars) can be rented for US$5–6 per day, sometimes through guesthouses. Traffic is chaotic and dangerous, even by SE Asian standards. Wear a helmet and drive carefully. Two rental shops are on Monivong Blvd: Lucky Bike Rental and New Bike Rental. Accept that paying US$1–2 police "fines" is part of driving. Theft is common: park in designated guarded areas and pay a small parking fee or use a lock and chain, which should be provided.

Motorbike-taxis (motodops or simply motos) should take you anywhere cheaply. A trip from Sisowath Quay to Central Market costs about 2,000 riel. Fares are higher at night and with more than one passenger. Often little English is spoken. No helmets are provided.

By taxi
Taxis can be found in tourist areas such as the riverfront and Street 51 bar area in the evening. Easier, call one of the taxi companies for pick-up. Non-metered taxis still run throughout the city and can be found along the riverfront tourist area and near major hotels. Fares must be agreed in advance. Fares vary; your accommodation provider may help.

By tuk-tuk

Tuk-tuks (aka remorque moto), consist of a motorcycle with a cabin for the passengers hitched to the back. They are cheap (Per tuk-tuk: US$2–3 for a trip in the city, US$8 to the airport) and plentiful. Driving standards vary. Drivers in tourist areas may speak some English. Drivers generally do not know their way around and may stop to ask for directions.

PassApp tuk-tuks are metered three-wheeler auto-rickshaws. Several companies have apps that allow you to order one, uber-style. PassApp is one of the front-runners and works very well for visitors. It works out to be much cheaper than tuk-tuks and since the app shows the price, there is no haggling. Many of the drivers are not able to read maps so may need your help finding your pick-up and drop-off locations. The app can be downloaded for Android and Apple phones.

By cyclo
Cyclos are three-wheeled pedal cycle-rickshaws. They are slow, scenic, and traditional, though waning in number.

By bicycle
Cycling can extend the horizons of the city. Ride slowly, be visible and predictable by avoiding quick turns. Bicycles can be hired for US$1–3 per day or if staying longer you can buy a cheap Chinese-style bike for US$30–50, new or second hand. A good place to buy is in the area around the top of St105/St107, near St182. Perhaps give your bike to a worthy charity when you leave, such as Choice Cambodia, who will give it to a needy child as a means for getting to and from school. Having a bike greatly reduces the amount of annoying ride offers by tuk tuk and moto taxi drivers. There are plenty of repair places in town to fix a puncture, pump up tires or do any repair work at cheap prices. A puncture repair costs US$1.

By car
Phnom Penh is notorious for its massive traffic jams, and rightly so. In addition, traffic is chaotic and motorcyclists seemingly suicidal. Therefore, most tourists consider driving in Phnom Penh a nightmare, and it is highly recommended that you stick to public transport and not try to drive yourself around.

By bus
The city's bus network has 13 lines, see route map. The buses provide a great way to get around during daytime (05:30-20:30):
 * at 1,500 riel per ride tickets are inexpensive (note that the bus driver cannot give change, so you will need the exact amount)
 * it is safer than on motorbikes and tuk tuks, no risk of bag/phone snatching
 * with air-conditioning you are screened from heat, noise, dust and smells of the city streets

Though all bus stops have the route map for that particular bus route displayed, the free App “Stops Near Me” (from Google Play and Apple App Store) comes in handy. Not only does it show the full route map with all bus stops in English, it also tracks buses live so that you know when the next one will be arriving.

On foot
Walking can be a challenge. Remember: little gives way to big here, pedestrians come last, even on the now cluttered, once grand, wide, French-built pavements. Pedestrian crossings are generally ignored by motorbike drivers.

To cross safely, judge gaps in the traffic and proceed slowly and with care. Always look both ways — don't assume traffic only comes from one direction. Give oncoming vehicles ample time to see and avoid you. Never move hastily between rows of waiting cars, often motorbike drivers will use the space between car rows to drive and they won't see you coming, since the cars block their sight.

There is almost no street lighting off the major boulevards, so be particularly cautious when walking at night.

See
France's Cambodian colony was acquired late and largely neglected. Historic colonial architecture was limited to start with and has largely decayed. The Grand Post Office Building, Central Market and Raffles Le Royal Hotel are notable exceptions. Generally any building in good condition, old or new, will be behind a big wall and security guards.

Money
Money changers, particular the common Wing agents, are plentiful near the central market and display their rates on boards. But also elsewhere in the city, the green Wing offices can be found. Rates for US dollars are absurdly competitive with a buy-sell spread of often less than 0.5% (not 5%!). So, it doesn't barely make sense to shop around for the best rate.

There are plenty of ATMs dispensing US dollars and riel with international cards. Typical withdrawal charges are US$5 regardless of amount withdrawn, typically US$400 is the maximum. MB Bank (St 93 cnr St 214) doesn't charge and allows up to US$1,000 withdrawal (July 2016). Otherwise ANZ Royal Bank and Canadia Bank charge US$5 per transaction, maximum single withdrawal US$400.

The Mekong Bank at 220 Sisowath Quay are happy to change big notes to smaller ones or change damaged notes.

Shopping
Popular tourist buys include silk, silverware, handicrafts and curios (including Buddha figures), and made-to-order clothes (which are often of good quality). If you want to support businesses that are noted for supporting Cambodia's culture and heritage, look for the Heritage Friendly Business Logo from Heritage Watch, an organization that promotes the preservation of Cambodia's cultural legacy.

Cambodia may be a cheap place to buy Samsung phones as there is no sales tax, but it's best to buy from one of only two authorised dealers in Phnom Penh. One near Central Market has closed and the other on Monivong Blvd. The Samsung one-year guarantees are only valid in the country of purchase.

St 178, just north of the National Museum, is known as Artist Street and has many interesting boutiques.

The Cambodia Antiquities Law (1996) bans the sale, purchase and export of Cambodian antiques, and since 1999 the US has banned their import. Consequently, most of the "antiques" sold in Cambodia are reproductions.

What
Phnom Penh offers some interesting culinary treats not found elsewhere in the country. These include French-influenced dining and Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian dishes. Pizzas, banana pancakes, and fried rice are always easy to find.

Exotic treats:
 * Duck embryo eggs are sold at the southwest corner of Sokun Mean Bun St (St 178) and Norodum Blvd (in front of the green SSN Bldg) inside a big high school compound, together with days old hatched chicks to frogs (everything is eaten, not just the legs) dipped in batter and deep fried.
 * Skewered and grilled pigs ears, chicken claws, and gizzards are sold in the Central Market at touristy prices. Pig intestines are sold at US$1 per 100 g, cut into pieces and splattered with sauce. Grilled small crabs, lobsters, prawns are also sold in the market.
 * Chicken feet are sold in the open-air restaurants as you turn to the right at St 154 as you go northbound from Monivong Blvd.
 * Bugs and other insects, especially the grasshopper, spider/crab, and grubs and pupae stage are sold along Sothearos Blvd from 184 St to 178 St.

Mid-range
The river front hosts everything from stand-up stalls to fine French bistros.

Coffee
The coffee scene in Phnom Penh has exploded in the last few years with several global chains present all around. But there are also numerous small and independent coffee shops to be found.

Bars
Places to hang out after dark include St 136 near riverside, St 104 and St 108 near the St 51 corner, which all feature restaurant bars, hostess bars, and guesthouses. For a more upmarket bar and restaurant scene, visit an area called BKK1 that includes St 278 and St 282, near St 51 or St 308.

Budget
A good range of accommodation is available around the city. The budget traveller area was area known as Lakeside, near the now filled in Beoung Kak lake. The colony of guesthouses has been decimated, but not eradicated. Remaining businesses are desperate for clients, which makes prices very cheap. Guesthouses 10 and 11 still exist and offer rooms from US$4/night and US$3/night respectively. Services include such laundry, Internet, money exchange, ATMs, and restaurants, including an excellent Indian restaurant.

St 258 (near the Cambodia/Vietnam Friendship Park), Street 51 (near Wat Langka) and St 111 and 172 also have some good budget options, with street 278 now hosting many budget hostels and bars that were once located on the lake.

Mid-range

Stay safe
As in any big city, be wary walking alone at night.

Daytime phone and bag snatching is not uncommon. Women are the main targets. When riding in a tuk-tuk keep your phone and bag toward the middle of the tuk-tuk to protect against snatching. When on a motorbike taxi, keep your belongings between you and the driver or in front of the driver. Do not carry or wear your bag on your back!

Scammers and con men sometimes work the tourist areas such as the riverfront, Hun Sen Park and the Sorya Mall. One example: a group of men start a conversation, make friends, claim to have a relative who is soon moving to your country of origin, and invite you to dinner at their house. Once you get there, they will apparently try to trick you into playing a rigged card game for money, and if that fails then they will give you stories about sick relatives and ask money for that instead.

Beware of fake monks. Real monks don't walk around begging from tourists. Ignore them or call the tourist police (012 942 4840) if you are harassed by fake monks.

Stay healthy
As in most developing world countries, avoiding cold, uncooked food is desirable to prevent stomach upsets. Salads are also suspect at times.

As of 2019, antimalarials are not needed for Phnom Penh (unlike most of the rest of the country), but you should use mosquito repellent as there is a risk of dengue.

Unsafe sex
There are dozens of girlie bars catering to foreigners in the cross-streets back from the river. Freelance girls are picked up at establishments like Heart of Darkness, Sharky's Bar, Riverhouse Lounge, and Martini Bar.

HIV is carried by about one in eight of Cambodia's female sex workers. NGOs have got the HIV rate in the general population down from around 2% to around 1% over the past decade, but emerging liberal behaviour coupled with ignorance of safe practices may reverse this gain. Condoms are strongly advised.

Telephone
Cheap SIM cards from US$2 for GSM phones are available on almost any major street. A vendor should have an activated test card to be used to make sure your phone will operate on that network. Calls between mobile networks can be spotty and Skype calls from abroad to mobiles in Cambodia are sometimes dropped, so be prepared to redial frequently. SIM cards, phone credit and internet packages can be bought and activated at the airport located just after passing through customs. A great time and place to do so if you know you going to buy a local SIM card in Cambodia. Its a good idea to have your phone sim unlocked before leaving home. It seems all phones sold in Cambodia are unlocked. Dual sim phones are cheaply available which are useful for travellers who want to use their home sim card and a local SIM card at the same time.

Mobitel (cellcard) and Metfone have the best coverage around the whole of Cambodia. Metfone is particularly good for their internet packages (e.g. US$5 for 20 GB for one week, US$7 for 40 GB for two weeks, Jan 2020) and they allow hotspot tethering from your smart phone unlike Mobitel. Useful if you use a laptop a lot and want to use wifi via your hotspot enabled smart phone. SIM cards with these rates are available at the airport. Smart has probably the cheapest for local phone calls but not so great for internet. Dual sim phones are popular in Cambodia so as to take advantage of different deals available, such as Smart for calls and cellcard or Metfone for internet.

Most of the major networks, such as metfone, have kiosks at the Phnom Penh airport located just after walking through customs where you can buy a local sim card, some credit and an Internet data package. If so, check that it all appears to be operating OK before heading off, such as by loading up a web page and checking your balance.

Internet
Wi-Fi is available in most of the hotels that welcome Western tourists and backpackers. Speed and reliability is on par with neighbouring countries. There is no shortage of Internet cafés in Phnom Penh. Most are in the 1,500 riel/hour to 2,000 riel/hour bracket (~US$0.50)

Wireless and wired connections for laptops are available at a number of outlets. Most up-market hotels provide high-speed broadband access, but at a premium. A number of cafés along Sisowath Quay including the Foreign Correspondents' Club (expensive), Fresco Café (under the FCC, also expensive), K-West Café (at the Amanjaya Hotel), the Jungle Bar and Grill, and Phnom Penh Café (near Paragon Hotel), and Metro Cafe (free).

Post
The main, impressive French colonial-style post office is at the intersection of St 13 and 102, roughly between Wat Phnum and the Riverside. Another branch is more downtown, at the intersection of Sihanouk and Monivong Blvd. Both offices offer full range of postal services, including PO boxes for affordable prices, and are open 7 days a week.

Postage for international postcards is 3,000 riel. Very nice picture stamps are available. Philatelists: ask for mix and match options. Letters and especially parcels to Phnom Penh's post office frequently go missing, or are not made available to recipients for up to one year.

FM radio
BBC World Service news is broadcast in Phnom Penh on easy to remember 100.00 MHz FM.

Cope
Bring your largest pair of sunglasses: Phnom Penh is dusty year-round (even in the wet season) and riding in tuk-tuks means a lot of the dust in your eyes.

Embassies and consulates

 * 🇦🇺 Australia
 * 🇨🇳 China
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * 🇵🇭 Philippines
 * 🇷🇺 Russia
 * 🇸🇬 Singapore
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden
 * 🇹🇷 Turkey
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
 * 🇺🇸 United States

Medical
Ascertain that the doctor has a Western medical degree. If not, get out. Local training is poor and treatment can be fatal. Local hospitals are generally basic, including Calmette Hospital, the city's best. A doctor's appointment should be made at one of the international clinics, which can also arrange transfer to a hospital in Thailand if necessary.

Cambodia
Sihanoukville, Battambang, and Siem Reap are within a few hours reach. Watch out for guesthouses profiteering on bus tickets. Several tour companies offer day-trips to Tonle Bati, which includes Ta Prohm, an Angkor-era temple not to be mistaken for the Angkor-area temple of the same name.

Further minor connections:

Laos
Buses to Don Det (US$19, 12 hr) leave at 06:45. The 27 hr journey to Vientiane costs US$46 and takes four different buses. The first leg is on the Don Det bus. Once over the border you'll spend hours on cramped minibuses heading to Pakse before the final stretch to the capital. The border is slow and bureaucratic, with endless form-filling and small bribes to officials, long walks hauling your luggage between windows (500 m), and no one much to assist with enquiries. There have been reports of various problems on the onward journey to Vientiane, from Lao companies not honouring tickets sold in Cambodia, to nocturnal groping.

Prices May 2012:

Thailand
Through tickets to Bangkok (14 hr, US$15–26) are generally unproblematic. You will change buses at the border. Anything more than US$15 is a bit steep given that Phnom Penh to Siem Reap should cost US$5 and that Siem Reap to Bangkok should cost US$10.

Prices May 2012:

Vietnam
Bus companies (Danh Danh, Kumho Bus, Hanh, etc.) for Vietnam can be found along Samdech Preah Sihanouk Boulevard (Street 274) south of the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. As of 2023/2024, prices from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh are US$22–25, the same can be expected for the return journey.

The following table for bus companies from Phnom Penh to Vietnam dates back to 2012 and may be outdated:

title: Phnom Penh


text:
Phoenix

Phoenix is the capital of the state of Arizona, the most populous city in the American Southwest. Warm and sunny winter weather have ensured a thriving tourism industry, and the city has become the region's primary political, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is extremely hot and dry in the summertime, so always have sunscreen with you! It had about 1,625,000 residents in 2021, and is the fifth largest city in the United States.

Understand
Why would anybody want to start a city in the middle of a desert? The answer is, surprisingly, agriculture. The Salt and Verde Rivers of central Arizona were exploited for large-scale agriculture by Native Americans as early as the 11th century. The area that now encompasses Phoenix was a center of the Hohokam culture, which built large canal systems and a network of towns and villages, whose remains may be viewed in the city to this day. White settlers discovered the remnants of the Hohokam culture in the 19th century. The city's name reflects its history as a city "reborn from the ashes" of the previous settlement.

European-American settlement of the area commenced in the 1860s, and the city was founded in 1871. In 1911 the completion of the first of several large reservoirs in the mountains north and east of Phoenix insured its success as a center for irrigation-based agriculture. Many tens of thousands of acres were planted in citrus and cotton and other crops, and for many years, intensive, year-round irrigated agriculture formed the basis of the economy. The area is being revived, and trendy hotels, bars, shops and restaurants are making it a place to be again.

Its hot, dry climate had enticed many Easterners and Midwesterners to relocate to Phoenix. High-tech industry began to flourish after World War II, and since that time the growth of Phoenix has been explosive. As a result, a population of just over 100,000 in 1950 has grown to over 1.6 million in 2024 (with almost 5 million in the metro area).

At an elevation of, it is in the biologically unique Sonoran Desert. Over time it has merged with the neighboring cities of Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, Chandler, and Gilbert to form the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Exurbs such as Apache Junction, Fountain Hills, Queen Creek, and Sun City are becoming part of this metropolitan area as well.

Climate
Phoenix has an arid climate with long, hot summers and very mild winters. It has the highest average temperature of any metropolitan area in the States. The weather varies enormously from one season to the next. While it's not as cold as in the northern states during the winter, it does freeze sometimes, and temperatures in the 30s°F (that's around or slightly above 0°C) are not unheard of, with even a slight dusting of snow every few years. In the summer, very hot and dry heat is the norm. On the hottest days, it has reached 122°F (50°C) (record high on June 26, 1990). Monsoon rains with flooding, lightning, sometimes with haboob's (dust storms rolling in from the desert) occur regularly from July to September during the late afternoon and evening, occasionally overnight also. In some neighborhoods, cicadas make loud sounds (100 decibels).

Tourist information

 * Visit Phoenix website

Talk
English is the dominant language in Phoenix. However, Spanish is very widely spoken in Phoenix like much of the Southwest with a large Hispanic population. Spanish is a language often used for day-to-day discourse in many places, although English is the language of preference, especially when dealing with businesses and government.

By plane

 * Terminal 3 (John S McCain III Terminal): Advanced Air, Air Canada/Air Canada Express/Air Canada Rouge, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, Boutique Air, Breeze Airways, Contour Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Denver Air Connection, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southern Airways Express, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.
 * Terminal 4 (Barry M Goldwater Terminal): American Airlines, British Airways, Condor Airlines, Flair Airlines, Lynx, Southwest Airlines, Volaris, WestJet.
 * To get to/from the airport:
 * Valley Metro #13 goes west to S 75th Ave along S Buckeye (via Greyhound depot) from Terminal 2.
 * The free PHX skytrain goes from Terminal 3/4 to 44th & Washington St Station where you can catch the #1 (west to the downtown Central Station or east to Priest & Washington in Tempe); #44 bus (north to the Desert Ridge Marriott Resort in Deer Valley along N 44th St & Tatum); or the light rail (east to Tempe & Mesa or west to Midtown and northern Phoenix along Central Ave).

Alternative airports

 * is east of Phoenix, in neighboring Mesa. It is served by Allegiant Air from all over the U.S. and Sun Country from Minneapolis-St Paul. This is a smaller airport, but is being redeveloped into a major regional airport.

Private aviation
There are more than 20 airports within 50 nautical miles of Phoenix. The Deer Valley Airport is the busiest private airport in Arizona and one of the most important business jet hubs west of the Mississippi. Air charter companies including Valley Jet and Phoenix Jet Charter offer access to private planes based at any of the airports in the Phoenix-area, with planes ranging from luxury jets to cost-effective single & twin engine planes. Other private aviation airports include:

By train
Amtrak passenger train service to Phoenix has been discontinued, making it the largest city without Amtrak service in the US. The nearest station is south of Phoenix in the town of Maricopa and is connected to Phoenix, Tempe and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by an Amtrak Thruway shuttle bus (operated by Stagecoach Express) or by taxi. Maricopa is served by the Sunset Limited which runs three times a week between New Orleans and Los Angeles. Additionally, Amtrak's Texas Eagle service between San Antonio and Chicago incorporates the Sunset Limited to provide a direct connection to Los Angeles with the same stops as the Sunset Limited between San Antonio and Los Angeles. Both trains stop in Benson, Tucson, Maricopa and Yuma.

Alternatives: disembark at Flagstaff instead and take a Greyhound bus into Phoenix from there or disembark in Tucson and take a Greyhound bus into Phoenix; the Greyhound station in Tucson is about 5-6 blocks west of the Amtrak depot. The Southwest Chief runs through Flagstaff on its way between Chicago and Los Angeles with stops in Winslow, Flagstaff, Williams and Kingman. For much of its route, the Southwest Chief follows historic Route 66, and offers an interesting perspective of the historic road and its surroundings.

By car
There are 3 main routes that enter through Phoenix:
 * I-17.svg Interstate 17 (I-17)/Black Canyon Freeway – running north from Phoenix to Flagstaff.
 * I-10.svg Interstate 10 (I-10)/Papago Freeway – running east–west across Arizona, from Tucson and New Mexico to the south, to California top the west.
 * US 60.svg US 60/Grand Ave & Superstition Freeway – running (generally) east-west across Arizona, from Globe and New Mexico from the east (also known as the Superstition Freeway), to Wickenburg to the northwest (known as the Phoenix-Wickenburg Highway). This road also connects with Route 93, which goes between Wickenburg and Las Vegas.

By bus
Long-distance bus lines and van shuttles serve Phoenix from Los Angeles, Las Vegas, El Paso, Tucson, Sedona, Flagstaff, Yuma & Nogales in the U.S. and from Nogales, Hermosillo, Puerto Peñasco and Culiacán in Mexico. Each company has a stop or its own bus station in different parts of town that are far from each other. The bus stations and stops in the neighborhoods northwest of the I-17/I-10 junction, northwest of the downtown core, are in rough neighborhoods.

Get around
Like many metro areas in the Southwest, Phoenix and its surroundings are pretty car-centric. If you plan to stay or visit any of the cities on the periphery of the metro area, a car will likely be required. However, if you plan to stick to the immediate Phoenix area (including Tempe), the Light Rail is a viable option, with an all-day adult pass costing US$4. So if you are in the United States without a car, consider that. There are also rental scooters with drop-off points at almost every block in the city center. Taxis are typically fairly easy to find in proximity to major light rail stops and in popular areas, and will run you from US$10-15 for a fairly local trip to well over US$100 for a ride to a distant suburb.

By e-scooter
The fastest and most comfortable way to get around downtown, especially in summer months when temperatures soar, is by e-scooter. The most popular rental company is Lime, their scooters are easily recognizable by their green and black color scheme. There are over 1000 scooters in the downtown area, which can be rented and dropped off in any of 400 stations.

Rental fees start at US$1 for short rides so they are very competitive with bus fares. Look out for promotions and special deals, which often include a number of free rides.

To rent a scooter, you'll need a smartphone and the rental company's software on it, that can be downloaded free of charge. You will also need a credit card to pay for the service.

Unlike in most European cities, e-scooters in Phoenix do not follow a free-floating model but must be rented from any of the stations and also parked in a station to end the ride. If you don't park the scooter properly, you risk getting billed continuously. Scooters are restricted to roads and cycle roads; it is prohibited to scoot on sidewalks (US$250 fine if caught). When leaving the downtown area, scooters will slow down to 4 km/h and eventually stop completely, so keep an eye on the map. Scooting is also prohibited on university premises.

By car
Surface roads are usually easy to navigate. The area's roads are designed around a grid system, where most roads are numbered based on their distance from the city center. Addresses also conform to the numbering of the roads around them. Nearly all streets run with the compass directions, and there's a major thoroughfare at every mile in each direction. Central Ave divides east from west while Washington St divides north from south. The numbered roads go north and south, parallel to Central Ave, with "avenues" west of Central and "streets" east of Central Ave such as 7th Ave going parallel on the west side of Central Ave while 7th St parallels along the east. The named roads go across east and west and can be "roads", "avenues" or "streets". This also applies to the extended metro area, though addresses in places like Tempe and Mesa have their own numbering system and are not based on downtown Phoenix.

There is an extensive network of freeways, most built since 1987 and some more recent. Heavy construction on some segments and interchanges continues. Check construction schedules and closures in the local media.

Drinking and driving laws are very heavily enforced in Phoenix, especially in Scottsdale and Tempe. Harsh DUI laws & police traps ensure you will most likely be pulled over during peak bar hours 11PM-2:30AM. Mandatory jail time and extremely heavy fines make drinking and driving a very unwise decision in Maricopa County.

 * Car rental is the most convenient form of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.
 * Car hire Unlike most cities, in Phoenix you can get a sedan, SUV or even a limo to pick you up for about the same price as a cab.
 * Ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft), is very popular. Waymo (self-driving vehicles) are available in certain parts (mainly downtown Phoenix and parts of the eastern suburbs), though you need to enroll to use.

By public transit

 * Valley Metro. Extensive metropolitan bus system, and light rail line. The light rail line runs from north-central Phoenix, along the Central Ave. corridor, through downtown, past the airport, and to Tempe and Mesa. One-ride or all day passes may be purchased at varying prices depending on service and location.
 * A single ride on a non-express bus or the light rail is $2.
 * 1-day passes are $4 from machines, but $6 on board buses.
 * The DASH is a free bus that runs M-F 6:30AM-6:30PM between downtown and the state capitol stopping at various government buildings such as city hall.

See

 * The cultural, governmental, and business center of the city is Copper Square, which is striving to become one of the southwest's most distinctive urban centers. Copper Square was built around the original Phoenix historic town site. Its boundaries extend from Fillmore to south of Jackson Street, 7th Street to 3rd Avenue. Revitalization plans in the area are expected to cost more than $4 billion and aim to increase artistic, cultural and entertainment activity. The presence of two state universities (Arizona State University and University of Arizona) and a new convention center are also significantly changing the physical and economic shape of the Phoenix downtown area.
 * Downtown and Central Phoenix are home to several historic neighborhoods. These range from turn of the century Victorian to mid-century modern architecture. Some of the more well-known districts include Coronado, Encanto-Palmcroft, FQ Story, Willo and Woodlea. The historic homes in these districts are private residences and not normally open to the public, but the neighborhoods are very pleasant to walk around. Some districts hold annual home tours when several houses in a neighborhood are open to the public, all covered by one ticket usually costing about $10. For example, the FQ Story home tour is normally held shortly before Christmas.
 * Roosevelt Historic District. This area has retooled itself from a run-down, drug-infested area to the epicenter of the Central Phoenix art scene. This emerging neighborhood has become home to artist live/work spaces, gallery spaces and studio spaces. Since 1994 the monthly First Friday's (first Friday each month) artwalk (7th St to 3rd Ave) has grown to become the largest monthly artwalk in the U.S. Increasing interest in this area has prompted Rooselvelt Row to becoming more pedestrian-friendly and is supportive of small local independent businesses that give Downtown Phoenix character.
 * Scottsdale Old Town. Scottsdale Rd & Indian School. Restaurants and art galleries. Thursday evening art walk 7-9p.

Museums

 * Phoenix Trolley Museum
 * Musical Instrument Museum 2, Phoenix AZ.JPG
 * Musical Instrument Museum 2, Phoenix AZ.JPG
 * Musical Instrument Museum 2, Phoenix AZ.JPG
 * Musical Instrument Museum 2, Phoenix AZ.JPG

Do
Winter visitors to the area will generally be looking for outdoor events. The area has many resorts with the relevant amenities, such as golf courses and the requisite pools and other activities on site. In the summer, due to the extreme heat, virtually everyone tries to avoid being outside more than necessary.

Outdoor recreation

 * Good available parking. Easier hike than Piestawa Peak or Camelback Mountain.
 * Good available parking. Easier hike than Piestawa Peak or Camelback Mountain.
 * Good available parking. Easier hike than Piestawa Peak or Camelback Mountain.

Sports
Tickets to professional sports events are expensive, but there are still $12.50 seats at the Diamondbacks games, not available until 2 hours before the game. Definitely not the best seats, but worth visiting the downtown Phoenix ballpark.

Spring Training Cactus League is a great way to see baseball players. Very relaxed and inexpensive. Games are in different locations in Mesa, Peoria, and Phoenix.

The Cardinals stadium is worth a visit, as it looks like a giant spaceship by the side of the freeway.

 * The Arizona Cardinals of the NFL play in suburban Glendale.
 * The Arizona Cardinals of the NFL play in suburban Glendale.
 * The Arizona Cardinals of the NFL play in suburban Glendale.

Buy
Time-honored souvenirs from Phoenix are scorpion bolo ties and saguaro-cactus salt and pepper shakers. Look for them at various gift shops in Terminal 3 and 4 of Sky Harbor International Airport. These gift shops are also known to stock the ever-popular Cactus Candy and a wide variety of hot sauces.

 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)
 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)
 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)
 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)
 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)
 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)
 * Desert Ridge, 21001 N Tatum Blvd (North of 101 freeway). Large open shopping area with Target, Kohls and other large department stores and many restaurants, (Thirsty Lion, Flower Child, Barrio Queen, The Keg, Mimi's Cafe, Macaroni Grill just a few)

Groceries and other basics
The major supermarket chains in Phoenix are Fry's (which is owned by Kroger), Safeway, WinCo, Albertsons, and Bashas'. In addition the nation's largest discount store chain, Walmart, has several stores in Phoenix most of which are also open 24 hours and some WinCo and Fry's stores in Phoenix are also open 24 hours as well.

In addition, many specialty supermarkets such as Aldi, Sprouts Farmers Market, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods can also be found throughout the area.

Budget

 * For cheap eats, look out for many 24-hour Mexican food places such as Filiberto's and other restaurants offer a burrito the size of your forearm for less than $4.
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).
 * Salad And Go, several locations Bethany Home & 7th St, Dunlap & 7th St. Inexpensive fresh salads and wraps, highly recommended (excellent caprese salad).

Mid-range

 * Phoenix has experienced an explosion of eateries since 2018. Uptown on 7th St between Missouri and Glendale Ave. Camelback between 24th St and 44th St. Tatum Blvd between Shea and Greenway. Some notables: Buck and Rider, 4225 E Camelback; Chelseas Kitchen, 5040 N 40th St; Hillstone, 2650 E Camelback; North Italia, 4925 N 40th St; The Yard, 5640 N 7th St; Luci's 7100 N 12th St (breakfast/lunch); Snooze, 2045 E Camelback (Town and Country; breakfast/lunch); Pizzeria Bianco, 4743 N 20th St (Town and Country); Sicilian Butcher, 15530 N Tatum Blvd.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.
 * Multiple locations (7th St & Missouri, Tatum & Deer Valley Rd). Ask for the tapas menu 4-6PM daily.

Vegetarian

 * True Foods, Biltmore shopping center (24th/Camelback) and The Quarter (Hayden/Greenway & Scottsdale Rd - N Scottsdale). Good variety of vegetarian options (as well as meat)
 * Flower Child, Uptown (Camelback/Central), Desert Ridge (Tatum/101), Arcadia (44th St/Camelback).  Similar menu to True Foods, counter service.
 * Original Chop Shop, Arcadia (32nd St/Campbell), Scottsdale (Old Town),  N Scottsdale (101/Scottsdale Rd), Tempe (Rural/University), Chandler . Fast casual, counter service, good vegetarian options, along with traditional meat protein.

Phoenix SkyHarbor Airport

 * Terminal 4, great eating options both in pre-security and next to boarding gates.
 * Deluxe, A22, very good burgers
 * Chelsea's kitchen,  before security, fresh menu
 * La Grande Orange, D1
 * Matts Big Breakfast,
 * Four Peaks Brewery
 * Lolo's chicken and waffles, pre-security
 * Barrio Cafe
 * Cowboy Ciao, B22
 * Sir Vezas Taco Garage, C13
 * Los Taquitos, C3
 * Zinc Brasserie,

Drink
Phoenix as a metropolitan area offers a considerable amount of nightlife, though with the fact that the city is so spread out it can be difficult and dangerous to attempt traversing the city on a big night out. Generally, the nightlife is centered around the sub-cities of the metro area. Within Phoenix, bars tend to cluster within the Midtown or Downtown areas, while in the surrounding areas, Scottsdale offers a lively bar and club scene, Tempe is popular with students given the proximity to the University, and the city centers for Chandler and Glendale both offer some good options if you're in the suburbs. Downtown Mesa lacks any appreciable nightlife given its strong ties to the Mormon church.

Stay safe
Despite being a nice vacation destination, Phoenix is a major American city and as such does contain a fair amount of violent crime. Some parts of the city (and even a few parts of some of the suburbs) should be avoided at night. Downtown Phoenix is safe during the day, but does have a problem with the homeless/transients, some of whom approach well-dressed office workers and tourists asking for spare change. South Phoenix can be unsafe in some areas.

Maryvale, a commercial/residential district on the west side of the city of Phoenix (extending north into Glendale as well), should be avoided at almost all times unless there is a specific reason to go there.

Most of the suburban areas are safe during day and night; however, parts of Mesa and Glendale can be dangerous at night. There have been assaults on a few university students in some portions of Tempe, near the main campus of Arizona State University (ASU). The ASU campus is equipped with several emergency call boxes.

The Sunnyslope area (north central city of Phoenix) has some homeless and other crime issues but a police station at Peoria and 7th Ave has dramatically reduced crime.

The town of Guadalupe (immediately west of Tempe and bounded by Interstate 10 on the west) is unsafe at night, but is an incredibly interesting Hispanic/Native American community to visit during the day. Be warned though that the speed limit suddenly falls from 40mph to 25mph as you enter the town.

In every portion of the Phoenix area, just use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.

Phoenix also has one of the highest car theft rates in the country, with a car stolen every 7 minutes. In addition, red light running is more common in Phoenix than any other city in the U.S. Use caution at every turn.

Speeding, tailgating and aggressive driving are common on the freeways.

Be aware of traffic and speed enforcement cameras at most major intersections. Always anticipate someone attempting to beat the amber light before it turns red to avoid being issued a very expensive traffic ticket (usually in the amount of $300 or more). If you see sudden braking, make sure you're going the speed limit. Sometimes, camera vans are set up on the side of the road to snatch speeders, especially in the Northeastern parts of the Valley.

Consulates
The nearest cities for additional foreign consulates for the west coast are in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The following are the consul generals in Arizona:
 * 🇪🇨 Ecuador
 * 🇸🇻 El Salvador
 * 🇬🇹 Guatemala
 * 🇭🇳 Honduras
 * 🇲🇽 Mexico

Honorary consulates are typically individual representatives of nations who represent the interest of certain business functions, and are not full-fledged national consulates. Their ability to assist you with individual legal or official matters may be limited.

 * 🇦🇹 Austria
 * 🇧🇪 Belgium

 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * 🇪🇪 Estonia
 * 🇫🇷 France
 * 🇩🇪 Germany
 * 🇮🇸 Iceland
 * 🇮🇹 Italy

 * 🇵🇪 Peru
 * 🇪🇸 Spain
 * 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
 * 🇸🇪 Sweden
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

LGBT+ travelers
The Melrose District on 7th Avenue, between Indian School Rd and Camelback Rd, is a popular location for LGBT+ bars, restaurants, and shops.

While many American cities will hold Pride Parades in June, Phoenix holds its Pride Parade outside of the summer months due to excessive heat that is often present during that time of the year. For years prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the parade was held in April. After the Pandemic, the event has been held in October.

Go next

 * "Old Town" Scottsdale in the northeast Phoenix metropolitan area is the single most tourist friendly area in the valley.
 * Downtown Tempe has a lively night life, being a college town. Accessible by light rail.
 * Many visitors come to Peoria during the spring to see their favorite professional baseball team in the Cactus League for Spring Training.
 * Mesa serves as the location for a Mormon (Latter Day Saints) Temple and is Arizona's third largest city after Tucson. Accessible by light rail.
 * Small towns Cave Creek and Carefree lie just north of the city.
 * Hiking near Phoenix is popular due to central Arizona's climate and large tracts of public land. Several designated National Forest and BLM wilderness areas are within easy driving distance and offer treks ranging from day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips. South Mountain Park, within the city limits, is a popular destination to experience the Sonoran Desert on foot.
 * Camelback Mountain - very popular hike in central Phoenix. Great views from top. Two routes:
 * Echo Canyon (West entry - Macdonald/Tatum). Arrive early on weekends for trailhead parking (50 cars), or walk 1/2 mi to satellite parking. 1.25 mi steep hike.
 * East entry (Invergorden/Jackrabbit). Park 1/2 mi from trailhead. Easier route 1.5 mi, skirts Phoenician (Keating resort), less developed.
 * Squaw Peak (Piestewa Peak) (Lincoln Dr/20th St) - Arrive early on weekends. Good parking close to trailhead. 1.25 mi hike (easier than Camelback Mtn). Great views (just 3 mi from Camelback Mtn). Park of Phoenix Preserve (48th St to 7th Ave), lots of good hiking and mountain biking. Dogs allowed on trail 300 from Squaw Peak parking.
 * If you would like to see areas outside of the Phoenix metropolitan area, you might want to visit Tucson, Las Vegas, or San Diego. For cooler weather, head up to I-17 to Flagstaff or Sedona.
 * A good option for a day trip, or longer, out of Phoenix is a drive north to Sedona. If you have three days or more, head out to Las Vegas via Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.
 * Montezuma Castle National Monument (cliff dwelling), near Camp Verde, Arizona is on I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff

title: Phoenix


text:
Phoenix (disambiguation)

There's more than one place called Phoenix:

Oceania

 * Phoenix Islands - in the Pacific Ocean - see the "Regions" section of the Kiribati article

United States of America

 * Phoenix - county seat of Maricopa County, and capital of the state of Arizona
 * Phoenix (Illinois) - a village in Cook County, Illinois
 * Phoenix (Maryland) - a community in Baltimore County, Maryland
 * Phoenix (New York) - a village in Oswego County, New York (state)
 * Phoenix (Oregon) - a city in Jackson County, Oregon

see also:
 * Phoenixville - a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania
 * Phenix City - a city (mostly in Russell County, partly in Lee County) in Alabama

title: Phoenix (disambiguation)


text:
Phoenix Islands

The Phoenix Islands is an island group in Kiribati.

Understand
The main island is this region is Kanton Island (Abariringa). While the island has the services of an airstrip and wharf this small number of people are government workers in caretaker mode.

Such is the isolation of the island that it is seldom visited and this is limited to sailing yachts and charters. The government supply ship visits a number of times a year. Immigration is possible on the island for those arriving by sea.

Other islands in the area include Orona, Enderbury, Nikumaroro, Birnie, Manra, McKean and Rawaki. These atolls are the tops of the seamounts which are a feature of the marine protected area.

title: Phoenix Islands


text:
Phong Nha-Ke Bang

Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng is a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quảng Bình Province, in the north of the Central Coast region of Vietnam. The park is 50 km north of Dong Hoi, around 450 km south of Hanoi.

Understand
The core zone of this national park covers 857.54 km² and a buffer zone of 1,954 km². The park was created to protect one of the world's two largest karst regions with 300 caves and grottoes and also protects the ecosystem of limestone forest of the Annamite Range region in north central coast of Vietnam.

The plateau on which the park is perched is probably one of the finest and most distinctive examples of a complex karst landform in Southeast Asia. This national park was listed in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 2003. In April 2009, the world's largest cave, Son Doong Cave, was discovered by a team of British cave explorers of British Caving Association. Tourist activities in this park includes expedition of caves and grottoes in boats, eco-tourism, discovering the flora and fauna in this park and mountain climbing, trekking.

Phong Nha town is on the edge of the park just off the main highway, and has undergone some growth since the caves were discovered. Most accommodation, restaurants and travel providers are in the town, although there are some good places in the surrounding villages - where the tradeoff is the peace and quiet!

Climate
Like North Central Coast Region (Bắc Trung Bộ) in general, and Quảng Bình province in particular, the climate in Phong Nha–Kẻ Bàng national park is tropically hot and humid. The annual mean temperature is 23-25°C, with a maximum of 41°C in the summer and a minimum of 6°C in the winter. The hottest months in this region are from June to August, with an average temperature of 28°C, and the coldest months from December to February with an average temperature of 18°C. Annual rainfall is 2,000-2,500 mm, and 88% of the rainfall is from July to December. With more than 160 rainy days per year, no month is without rain. Mean annual relative humidity is 84%.

By plane
The closest service is via Vietnam Airlines to Dong Hoi with flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Jetstar Pacific Airlines).

By rail
Several arrivals and departures at Dong Hoi daily from as far away as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, only a few hours from Hue.

By bus
A local bus goes from Dong Hoi to Phong Nha for less than 40,000 dong. It departs hourly from many bus stops around Dong Hoi. Look for the blue signs that say Dong Hoi - Hoan Lao - Phong Nha or Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Trooc

Sleeper buses with Hung Thanh Travel, Camel Travel, Queen Cafe and DMZ make stops in Phong Nha with an overnight journey between Phong Nha and Hanoi and an early morning departure to Hue and evening arrival from Hue.

By motorcycle
Motorbikes can be rented for 150,000 dong from hotels in Dong Hoi. It takes about 1 hour via a highway, but it is easier to get a transfer to Phong Nha or take the bus then rent a motorbike in Phong Nha. The Phong Nha cave is about 45 km from Dong Hoi and the Thien Duong (Paradise) Cave is about 70 km from Dong Hoi.
 * Tung Motorbikes +84 915960481 mail: khanhtungnguyen@gmail.com offer a great selection of fully serviced and safety checked motorbikes for rent for visiting Phong Nha Caves and arround. Deliver and pick up included. Address: 44 Hoang Dieu, Nam Ly, Dong Hoi, Vietnam.

By taxi
Taxis can be hired from hotels, resorts, airport or train station in Dong Hoi. About 1 hour on a highway with cars, oxcarts, motorbikes, buses, trucks, but it is easier and more economical to book a transfer through your accommodation in Phong Nha.

Do
Bicycling and kayaking, swimming at allowed points along the rivers.

Eat
Vung Hue - The original restaurant in town still serves up great Vietnamese food. Great for groups.

Phong Nha Farmstay - Vietnamese and Western food. Crispy based wood-fired pizzas. Daily specials.

Easy Tiger Hostel - Western food in a young and fun environment. Live music.

Capture Vietnam - Gourmet food and wood-fired pizzas. Coffee, tea, wine, cocktails, fresh juice and more.

Thang Nhung - They serve spit-roast pork and a range of noodle dishes. Try the pork banh mi or the bun thit nuong.

Tuan Ngoc Restaurant - well priced Vietnamese food with friendly staff.

The Pub with Cold Beer - as farm to table as it gets. This spot in the Bong Lai Valley serves up the freshest local chicken you will ever eat. Choose your chicken from the out the back and watch the transformation to the plate.

Moi Moi Restaurant - also in Bong Lai Valley this local gem serves up a range of great dishes. Pork in Bamboo is a speciality.

Why Not Bar - Vietnamese food. Great beef soup in the morning.

Mountain Goat and Hill Chicken - just past the big yellow church on the river. Goat and other dishes in Vietnamese style. Great views.

Drink
The Pub with Cold Beer - an all day watering hole that serves fresh chicken. Ride a bike out to Bong Lai Valley for real rural Vietnam.

Easy Tiger Hostel - 3 happy hours, draft beer and a great crowd. Easy Tiger is the centre of town for the social scene.

Bomb Crater Bar - A small bar on the river between Phong Nha and Bong Lai. Stop in here for half way refreshment or for a place to relax close to town. Swim in the river here.

Andy Bar & Disco - opens at 23:00 when the Easy Tiger closes. Music and booze. Free shuttle from Easy Tiger.

Sleep

In Phong Nha Town near the cave boat dock there are many budget level guesthouses as well as new hotels along the road TL20 (intersection with the giant sign that says Phong Nha Ka Be National Park) starting around 250,000 dong with the median around 400,000 dong.

Camping
Free camping is not permitted in the park. Park rangers are very suspicious of undocumented visitors overnighting in the park.

You can camp at the Botanic Gardens in the park for a fee.

Stay safe
Be cautious driving on the road to/from Dong Hoi and on the roads around the National Park; avoid night driving. If you want a motorbike with driver this can easily be arranged at Thang's Phong Nha Riders next to Easy Tiger.

Bring mosquito repellent, or buy some at Capture Cafe in Phong Nha Village, next to Easy Tiger. They have a range of "necessities" as well as excellent food and drinks. Tea, coffee, cakes and baked goods, woodfired pizza and more.

Quảng Bình Province was one of the most heavily mined and bombed during the war, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is still a problem in the area including the national park. Be wary of leaving trails, and strongly consider using a guide. You can walk in the jungle at the Botanic Gardens but the rest of the park is off limits unless you are on a tour.

Go next
From Phong Nha- Ke Bang, you can go to Hue, Da Nang city or Hoi An ancient town by buses, by motorbikes with helmets, by trains or by private cars. Hue, Da Nang city or Hoi An are the must-visit nearby destinations.

Taking a bus from Phong Nha to Hue is the cheapest way and it costs 220,000 dong to 550,000 dong, depending on the quality of the buses and transportation companies. It takes you around 4 to 5 hours to get to Hue from Phong Nha town.

The distance from Phong Nha to Hue is around 230 km, it takes about 4 hours to get there. Booking a private car from Phong Nha to Hue, you will have an opportunity to visit some historical sites in the DMZ Vietnam, such as Vinh Moc Tunnels.

title: Phong Nha-Ke Bang


text:
Phongsali

Phongsali is one of the larger towns in Northern Laos. As with much of Laos tourism and other infrastructure is being developed at a rapid pace and information in guidebooks is quickly out of date.

Understand
The tourism information centre is well signed and staff are friendly and speak good English. Opening hours are limited however if you call the number on the sign a staff member will visit you at your Guest house to assist outside hours if needed.

By bus
Unless you have your own transport, local buses provide the only option directly into Phongsali. Buses travel from several towns, the closest being Boun Neau, approximately 40 km to the west. The buses pick up passengers from Boun Neau several times per day, usually in the afternoon as they are coming from other destinations and ending in Phongsali. Tickets cost 15,000 kip and the journey takes just over one hour. The bus station in Phongsali is around 2 km from the city, and tuk-tuks will be waiting for the bus arrival (8000 kip / person).

By boat
Alternatively you can travel to Phongsali via the small riverside town of Hatsa, if you have caught the boat up the Nam Ou river. As of July 2017, a dam has been constructed so river transport from Muang Khua is no longer available.

Sleep
There are a number of guest houses and hotels although few if any staff will speak any English. Prices start around 50,000 kip /night for very basic double room.

title: Phongsali


text:
Phon Phisai

Phon Phisai (โพนพิสัย) is a village in Isaan, Thailand. It is close to Nong Khai.

Get in
Buses leave regularly for Phon Phisai from the Nong Khai bus terminal, as well as other nearby cities throughout the Isaan region.

Get around
Phon Phisai village is small, so it is easy to walk across town. Tuk-tuks can also be found, usually idling near the bus depot.

See
On the last day of Buddhist lent, usually around October, Phon Phisai is a great spot to watch the Mekong fireballs. These strange fiery balls of unknown origin attract large crowds of visitors each year.

Connect
Several ADSL Internet cafes can be found in Phon Phisai.

Go next
Buses leave daily for Bangkok, as well as other popular destinations in Thailand or take a 40 minute bus ride west to Nong Khai and cross the Friendship Bridge over to Laos.

title: Phon Phisai