Phoenix & Scottsdale from New Orleans, Dec 3–7: $1,060 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, if
- Typical highs of 70–73°F for desert hikes in early December
- Breakfast included, rated 8.3 from 1,064 reviews, with free cancellation
- $241 per person, $175 below the highest fare we saw for these dates
The catch: F9 makes two stops, with 20h 8m of travel across both directions, the flight home lands at 5:00 AM, and checked bags add $240 for two.
Worth it if you want warm December sun and desert hikes on a steady budget; skip it if long connections and a red-eye home wear you out.
Worth it if you can handle the connections: $1,060 for two, all in, covers the flights at $481, 4 nights at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Scottsdale at $516 and its $63 property fee, with taxes and fees included. You'd go Dec 3–7, 2026, for 4 nights on F9, with two stops rather than a nonstop.
The total, before you go
$1,060 for two · 4 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $481 |
| La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Scottsdale, 4 nights, two guests, taxes in | $516 |
| Resort fee, collected at the desk | $63 |
| The total, before you go | $1,060 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $240 |
$175 per person below the highest fare we saw for these dates.
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $60 each way per bag on Frontier, $240 for two round trip); the resort fee is counted above. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$241 per person, round trip
$481 for two, taxes and fees included · Frontier · 2 stops · 20h 8m
Out Thu, Dec 3, 11:19 AM – Thu, Dec 3, 8:58 PM · back Mon, Dec 7, 6:31 PM – Tue, Dec 8, 5:00 AM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier | $241 | 2 stops | 20h 8m |
| MX + F9 | $273 | 1 stop | 36h 33m |
| Frontier | $247 | 1 stop | 18h 2m |
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026, 1:52 PM CDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Tweak this trip
Why now
Start with the fare: $241 per person round trip, $175 below the highest fare we saw for these dates, a 42% gap across the 12 offers we checked. With the hotel, that comes to $1,060 for two, all in. Early December also misses both season notes for this destination. Spring training and the Phoenix Open push resort rates up in February and March, and June through September brings extreme heat. For your dates, typical highs run 70–73°F with lows near 49°F, so you get cool mornings for a sunrise hike and mild afternoons by the pool. Checked bags ($240 for two) and spending money aren't in the total, and our budget estimate for spending is $1,040 for the stay. Prices were all-in when we found them and can change. For a warm getaway while it's getting cold at home, it's worth it for the two of you.
The kind of trip this is
This is a desert-and-wellness trip: sunrise hikes, a spa afternoon, gardens and architecture during the day, then dinner and drinks in Old Town Scottsdale at night. It suits couples or two friends who want warm weather, plenty of time outdoors and an easy pace. You'll want a car or rides to get around, and the days can be as full or as slow as you like.
Weather in Phoenix & Scottsdale, Dec 3–7
Typical highs 70–73°F, lows near 49°F this time of year
| Day | Typical high | Typical low | Typical weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec 3 | 70 °F | 49 °F | Overcast |
| Fri, Dec 4 | 70 °F | 49 °F | Clear |
| Sat, Dec 5 | 73 °F | 48 °F | Overcast |
| Sun, Dec 6 | 73 °F | 51 °F | Clear |
| Mon, Dec 7 | 71 °F | 50 °F | Clear |
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com · averages, not a forecast
Where to stay in Phoenix & Scottsdale
We picked La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Scottsdale as the best value: $516 for the 4 nights ($129 a night), rated 8.3 from 1,064 reviews, with breakfast and free cancellation. It's in North Scottsdale, the area for big desert resorts, golf and spas. If you want the top-rated stay, Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia scores 8.9 from 250 reviews at $2,840 for the stay ($710 a night), room only, with free cancellation and $331 in fees paid at the property. Hilton Vacation Club Scottsdale Villa Mirage, also in North Scottsdale, is $717 for the stay ($179 a night), rated 8.4 from 168 reviews, room only, with no free cancellation and $88 in property fees. For walkable galleries, bars and restaurants, head to Old Town Scottsdale in the evenings.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Scottsdale
$516 for 4 nights, two guests · $129 a night
See roomsOmni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
$2,840 for 4 nights, two guests · $710 a night
See roomsHilton Vacation Club Scottsdale Villa Mirage
$717 for 4 nights, two guests · $179 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Phoenix & Scottsdale for these dates
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
Where in Phoenix & Scottsdale
- Old Town Scottsdale: Walkable galleries, bars and restaurants with resort-style hotels nearby.
- North Scottsdale: Large desert resorts, golf and spas.
- Paradise Valley: Secluded luxury resorts beneath Camelback Mountain.
- Downtown Phoenix: Arts district, sports arenas and lower rates.
- Tempe: Lakeside hotels near the university and the airport.
What to do in Phoenix & Scottsdale
- Hike Camelback Mountain or Piestewa Peak at sunrise, while lows sit near 49°F
- Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West
- Walk the Desert Botanical Garden on one of the clear afternoons
- Spend a spa day at a Sonoran Desert resort
- Take a hot-air balloon ride over the desert
Also worth it
- Catch spring training baseball in the Cactus League
Tours and tickets in Phoenix & Scottsdale
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Getting there and around
| Airports in New Orleans | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Phoenix & Scottsdale | Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) |
| Flight time | 20h 8m (2 stops) |
| Distance | 1,305 miles each way |
| Time difference | -1 hour |
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What 4 nights in Phoenix & Scottsdale costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $482 |
| Hotel, 4 nights (La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Scottsdale) | $516 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 4 days for two | $1,040 |
| Total for two | $2,038 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: New Orleans to Phoenix & Scottsdale
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $241 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $240 (Oct 15, 2026) |
| Price checks | 4 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travelers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for Phoenix & Scottsdale.
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- No passport needed for this domestic trip, and the currency is the US dollar.
- Phoenix is 1 hour behind New Orleans, and the trip covers 1,305 miles from MSY to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX).
- The outbound leaves Thursday, Dec 3 at 11:19 AM and arrives 8:58 PM; the return leaves 6:31 PM Dec 7 and lands 5:00 AM Dec 8.
- The fare doesn't include checked bags, which run $240 for two.
- La Quinta and the Omni offer free cancellation; Hilton Vacation Club Scottsdale Villa Mirage does not.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Worth it if you don't mind two stops. You get $241 per person fares, typical highs of 70–73°F and a hotel with breakfast rated 8.3. The cost is 20h 8m of travel across both directions and a return that lands at 5:00 AM.
How much is the whole trip for two?
$1,060 for two, all in: $481 for the flights, $516 for 4 nights at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Phoenix Scottsdale and its $63 property fee. Checked bags ($240 for two) and spending money are extra.
Is there a nonstop?
Not at this price. The fare we found on F9 has two stops. A one-stop F9 option was $247 per person ($493 for two) and arrived at 6:52 PM instead of 8:58 PM.
What is the weather like?
Typical highs for Dec 3–7 are 70–73°F, with lows near 49°F. The normals show a mix of clear and overcast days. Bring a layer for sunrise hikes.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip from New Orleans to Phoenix, and you'll pay in US dollars. Just remember Phoenix is 1 hour behind.
Is 4 nights enough?
For a warm getaway, yes. With 4 nights you can fit a sunrise hike, Taliesin West, the Desert Botanical Garden and a spa day, plus evenings in Old Town Scottsdale.
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- Photo: Tom Jackson / Pexels, Pexels License