Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

• Located at 3400 E Sky Harbor Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85034, Phoenix's major airport is easily accessible, only12 miles from Casa de la Rosa.

• Sky Harbor has non-stop service to over 100 domestic destinations and 22 international destinations, including Frankfurt, Germany and London, England.

• 18 airlines serve Sky Harbor, including American, Alaska, Delta, United, Southwest, Hawaiian, Air Canada, British Airways, JetBlue, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines

• After you land, both Valley Metro Bus and Valley Metro Rail have connection services to Sky Harbor. 

• Of course, shuttle services (including Amtrak) and other standard car transport options are available.

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Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)

• Located at 6033 S Sossaman Rd Mesa, AZ 85212, the Mesa Gateway airport is 21 miles from Casa de la Rosa.

• The Mesa Gate Airport service many smaller airport connections with over 40 direct domestic destinations

• 3 discount airlines serve AZA:  Allegiant Airlines, Swoop, and WestJet

• Shuttle services available

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Luke Air Force Base (LUF)

• For those who have military flight benefits, Luke Air Force Base is located on the west side of Phoenix, 40 miles away from Casa de la Rosa.

Tempe is a small university town–home of the Arizona State University Sun Devils and nestled in the larger Phoenix metroplex (the eleventh largest population in America).  Public transportation exists, but newcomers may find it baffling.  To simplify it, think of it as a conglomeration of different systems linked together at junctions.  Use the Ridekick app to help navigate the system.

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1. The Valley Metro is a public transit bus system serving the entire Phoenix Metroplex–a regional grid system connecting all the surrounding towns with 100+ bus lines covering 512 square miles.

2. The Valley Metro Rail is twenty miles of a linear light rail track connecting Central Phoenix, Downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and the East Valley in Mesa.

3. The Tempe Orbit Shuttle system is smaller buses serving Tempe with circular routes.

4. The Scottsdale Trolley system is smaller shuttle buses serving Scottsdale proper with circular routes.

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More details can be found in the Bus & Shuttle and the Trains sections on this page. 

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The Orbit – Tempe's Shuttle Bus (free)

• The City of Tempe operates a neighborhood bus system, called the Orbit, which is free to use.  Look for the smaller bright blue buses.

• The routes are designed to coordinate with the Valley Metro public transit centers for smooth transitions, including the Valley Metro Rail line and the Scottsdale Trolley System.

• The closest stop to Casa de la Rosa is on Guadalupe & Country Club Way, which is about a half-mile walk.

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Scottsdale Trolley

• The Scottsdale Trolley is great for navigating Old Town Scottsdale.

• The Valley Metro route 81 (from McClinktock & Guadalupe) connects to the Scottsdale Trolley system at several junctions.

• The Tempe Orbit Earth route connects with the Scottsdale Trolley Red Line (68th and Camelback route)

•  https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/ScottsdaleAZ/Trolly/maps/New+Transit+Routes+Transfer+Map.pdf

 

Valley Metro (bus)

• The Valley Metro public transit will get you to where you are going throughout the greater Phoenix Metroplex.  I can't promise you that it will be a swift experience though.  Be advised to create your route plan in advance.

• Where is the closest bus stop?

  • Right outside the Cottonwood complex gates on Guadalupe Rd & River Dr. is bus stop #14121on  Route 62 (Hardy Dr Bus).  This route will take you to ASU, Tempe Transit Center, and Tempe Market Place.

  • Also, at the intersection of McClintock & Guadalupe Rd is Route 81 (Hayden Rd / McClinktock Dr Bus), which will take you either south to the Chandler Fashion Mall or north to Old Town Scottsdale, where you will find shopping and a robust restaurant district.

• Other noteworthy mentionables:

  • You can catch the Valley Metro Rail to downtown Phoenix from the Tempe Transit Center.

  • Use Route 56 to go to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo.

  • https://www.valleymetro.org/system-map

  • The closest Park-and-Ride location to catch Express buses to other parts of the Metroplex is at the Target parking lot at McClintock & Baseline (on Route 81) connecting to routes  77 (Baseline Rd) and 521 (Central Tempe Express)

 

Leaving the Metroplex? Private bus & shuttle options

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FLiXBUS

• If you don't know Flixbus, you soon will!  It is the better, cheaper way to tour by bus.  Very economical prices.  Get the mobile app!  Pick-up and drop points are listed on the app.  The company started in Europe and is now prevalent in the American southwest. You can get to many of the sights listed on the excursion page via Flixbus. 

  • You can literally get to downtown LA in 7 hours for less than $30

• Easy routes to Los Angeles, Tucson, Flagstaff, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, and Coachella

• Common stops are at airports, universities, beaches, ski locations, or festivals

• A current (2019-April) pickup point in Temps is near Arizona State University at Rural and University.  Use the app for more details!

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Greyhound Bus

• There are four primary bus stations serving the Phoenix Metroplex

  • Mesa Bus Station   ( 5 miles from Casa de la Rosa)
    1423 S Country Club
    Mesa, AZ 85210
    Tel: (480) 834-3360

  • 44th St Transit Center (11 miles from Casa de la Rosa)

  • Phoenix Bus Station (13 miles from Casa de la Rosa)

  • Glendale Bus Station (24 miles from Casa de la Rosa)

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Other Inter-city Tour Bus Options

• Tufesa Bus Tours

  • www.GoToBus.com or www.Tufesabus.com

  • Offers cost-effective way to travel to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Huntington Park, Tucson, St. George, Utah and Cedar City, Utah.  More California destinations are available once in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

  • Pick-up spots are at:

    • Lee's Sandwiches -- (3 miles from Casa de la Rosa)
      1901 W Warner Rd at Dobson Rd
      Chandler, AZ 85224

    • There are two other pick-up spots in Phoenix

• Groome Transportation

  • Van shuttle service from Sky Harbor Airport

  • Offers shuttle service from PHX to Sedona, Prescott, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and Tucson.

Casa de la Rosa offers a golf cart to use for a small fee.  The purpose is to provide means to go the stores and restaurants in the near vicinity, especially in the heat of the summer. Restrictionapply.

• Yes, it is legal in Arizona to drive a golf cart on the road, as long as it is under 20 miles per hours AND the driver is licensed and insured.

• Use is restricted within one mile and on residential streets or sidewalks only.

• Never driven a golf cart before? No problem. They are easy to use.  You can practice in the Cottonwood complex before ever taking it beyond the gate.

Rental options at

www.phatridesusa.com

Let me preface this information by assuring you that you can absolutely  have a full experience without having a car.  Tempe is a modern university town that is pedestrian and bike friendly. Public transportation is available.  (see sections below) There are restaurants, grocery stores, and a drug store within one mile walking distance.  In addition, ride share services are abundant and, for longer excursions, there are an ample number of tour bus and train options available.

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However, if you need wheels, your car options are:

• Bring your own vehicle - there is a small fee for one month's parking at Casa de la Rosa

• Ride Share service providers are abundant: 

  • Uber

  • Lyft

  • Waymo

    • For newcomers, Waymo is prevalent in the Chandler / Tempe area. Waymo is Google's test market for the self-driving car. However, all cars are still manned with drivers at this time. Waymo offers an early rider program.

• Car rental: 

  • Peer-to-peer car rentals: 

    • Turo.com

    • GetAround.com

  • All the traditional national car rental agencies are available (Hertz, National, Enterprise, Budget, Thrifty, Alamo,+++)

  • For upscale service, consider Silvercar rental service by Audi

• Scheduled Towncar service

  • Blacklane app

• Traditional Taxi

  • Arizona Taxi, 480-332-1192

  • Yellow Cab, 480-888-8888

  • Plus more...

Tempe Transportation Center is located at 200 E. Fifth Street. The 40,000 square foot facility has an exterior shaded courtyard and a transit plaza serving the METRO light rail and local and regional bus patrons. Dozens of bus routes serve the Transportation Center including the free Orbit local shuttle.

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Bike storage, rentals, and showers are available (for a fee) at the transit center as well.  Check out The Bike Cellar website for more information.

Valley Metro Rail

• Local public transit light rail line, which is a linear line running from Central Phoenix, to downtown Phoenix, to Tempe, and ending in Mesa

• Coordinated stops with Valley Metro Bus services.

• Check out the Tempe Transportation Center (TC) @ 200 E Fifth Street.  Bike storage units, rental bikes, and shower facilities are available here.

• It is a 28 minute ride from the TC to downtown Phoenix stop at Van Buren

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AMTRAK – Interstate travel

• Amtrak has seven stations in Arizona on two lines. 

  • Line 1: Benson, Tucson, Maricopa, and Yuma.

    • The Sunset Limited route runs along the Southern border from Los Angeles to New Orleans.

    • The Texas Eagle route which runs from Los Angeles through Dallas, then turns north through the midwest with the line ending in Chicago.

  • Line 2: Winslow Flagstaff, and Kingman

    • The Southwest Chief route from Los Angeles to Chicago through Colorado

• The Maricopa, AZ station  (MRC) serves the greater Phoenix area.  The address is 19427 North John Wayne Parkway, Maricopa, AZ 85139, which is 30 miles south of Casa de la Rosa.

• Amtrak offers a shuttle service from the Maricopa train depot to a few metroplex locations.  Here are two closest Ambrak shuttle stops:

  • The Tempe Station (TEM) @ Macayo’s Depot Cantina, 300 South Ash Avenue is served by the Amtrak 8601 & 8901 Thruway buses, which is 8 miles from Casa de la Rosa.

  • Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHA) Terminal 2 – Outside Door 8

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The Grand Canyon Railway (Tourist)

• This is a tourist excursion to visit the Grand Canyon.  The train route is from the historic Williams Depot in Flagstaff to the rim of the Grand Canyon.  To board this train, you must first find your way to Flagstaff (see Flixbus, Greyhound or Groome Transportation).

Tempe is designated as a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly Community with amazing on-street and off-street bike paths, which include extensive canal paths. Biking opportunities are plentiful with  over 200 miles of bike paths to ride.

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Casa de la Rosa offers bike rentals for a small nominal fee. Or you can buy  or rent your own.  Being a university town, Tempe has over 10 bike shops and the used bike market is plentiful.

 

Additional notes: 

• The Tempe Transit Center has bike storage facilities, bike rentals, and showers.  Check out The Bike Cellar for more information.

• Archer's Bikes in Mesa offers a nice selection of e-bikes.  For those who would like a little power behind your push.  Gas and electric models are available.

• Pedego Electric Bikes in Scottsdale also offers electric bike rentals.

• Also, Phat Ride USA offers electric bike and scooter rentals.

• You will also find many grab-and-go bike rentals throughout the city.  See Grid Bike Share for more information.

• Check out the website www.azbikepred.org for more information and bike route maps:

  • https://geo.azmag.gov/maps/bikemap/

• Here is a map of the greater Phoenix metroplex:

  • https://geo.azmag.gov/maps/bikemap/

• Safety First!

  • Please remember to use reflective gear even when staying on designated bike paths

  • The neighboring City of Mesa offers bike education classes for adults.  Check out .their website at www.mesaaz.gov for more information.

  • Be sure to stay hydrated in the desert heat.

  • Wear sunglasses and hats.

  • Use SPF sunscreen.

Tempe is  very walkable city.  The topography is relatively flat and the sidewalks are well maintained. 

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Our one word of caution is that you respect the desert sun and be realistic about your capabilities.  Please stay hydrated, wear hats, and use your sunscreen.

 

Casa de la Rosa is very close to the Tempe Canal path where you can walk on paved and lighted paths off the street.  You will connect to the path by walking one half-mile south on Price Rd (parallel to the 101) from Guadalupe Rd

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Check out the non-profit Rails to Trails Conservancy website to find out more information on the Tempe Canal path and other trails nearby.

 

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