Getting Here, Getting Around

Tucson’s rapid growth has had a major impact on all areas of transportation in town. In 2010, there were over 3.5 million passenger arrivals and departures from the Tucson International Airport. The downtown train depot has been restored to its 1941 look with original terrazzo floor and replica of the original ticket counter. Although controversy continues about expansion of the road and freeway system, major thoroughfares are being upgraded, widened, and beautified with public art. A light-rail system is still a dream of many in town, as is commuter rail service to Phoenix.

Planes, trains, cars, and buses will all bring you to Tucson, but when you get here, you really need to have a car. Although there is a bus system, it can be pretty slow going and won’t take you to all the attractions in town, not to mention the many not-to-be-missed side trips just a few hours away.

As the second-largest city in Arizona, Tucson is a busy place. But unlike most large cities, there are just two freeways here, and mainly they just circle the city. Although this makes for a much prettier in-town driving atmosphere, it can result in some traffic congestion and tie-ups, especially in prime season (October through May), when visitors and snowbirds flock here to take advantage of the great weather.

Before we tell you the ins and outs and tricks of getting around the metro area, we’ll tell you the ways to get here. (Just about the only mode of transportation you can’t take to get to the Old Pueblo is a boat.) And we’ll tell you how best to get from your arrival point to where you’re going in Tucson.