USA Guide
The Southwest
Arrival
Phoenix is so vast, and so utterly dependent on car travel, that it's much easier to drive than to use public transport – even driving, it can take hours to get across town. However, the Metro Light Rail System ( 
602/253-5000, 
www.valleymetro.org ) commenced operations in 2008, along a twenty-mile route, from Camelback Road north of downtown Phoenix to Apache Boulevard in Mesa. There's a station close to Sky Harbor International Airport, three miles east of downtown, at 44th and Washington, and fares are the same as for local buses, at $1.25 for a one-way ride. Alternatively, SuperShuttle vans charge around $10 from the airport to downtown destinations, and more like $20 for Scottsdale ( 602/244-9000 or 1-800/258-3826, www.supershuttle.com ). Arizona Shuttle Services runs frequent buses south to Tucson (daily 6.30am–11.30pm; one-way $30 with 7-day advance reservation; 520/795-6772 or 1-800/888-2749, www.arizonashuttle.com ). There's no Amtrak train service, but Greyhound buses arrive at 2115 E Buckeye Rd ( 602/389-4200), close to the airport.
Phoenix's main visitor center is downtown at 125 N Second St (Mon– Fri 8am–5pm; 602/254-6500 or 1-877/225-5749, www.visitphoenix.com ), while Scottsdale has its own visitor center at 4343 N Scottsdale Rd (Mon– Fri 8am–5.30pm; 480/421-1004 or 1-800/782-1117, www.scottsdalecvb.com ).