Getting Around, Mesa Travel and Transport
(Mesa, Arizona - AZ, USA)
There are a number of busy freeways that pass through or close by the city of Mesa, connecting central Arizona and making car rental a popular transport choice, especially when you intend to travel around central Arizona.
Located just 12 miles / 19 km to the west of Mesa and linked by Highway Loop AZ-202, the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is easy to reach and sits just past Tempe, across from the Pueblo Grand Museum and Archaeological Park. This busy airport handles in the region of 45 million passengers per annum, serving as the principal transport hub for both Arizona and the whole of Southwest USA.
As you travel around downtown Mesa, it will soon become apparent that the city center is laid out as a fairly structured network, with north to south streets intersecting with east to west streets, creating a gridwork pattern. The very heart of the city is often referred to as the point where Center Street joins with Main Street, next to the city's Arts Center and close to the i.d.e.a. Museum.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) / Arriving by Air
Address: 3400 East Sky Harbor Boulevard, Phoenix, Arizona (AZ), 85034, USA
Tel: +1 602 273 3300
The biggest airlines based at the nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport include Southwest Airlines, US Airways and US Airways Express, which between them travel to and from over 70 different American destinations. It may well be worth noting that due to Arizona's scorching hot weather and seasonal winds, afternoon thermals can be responsible for some extreme turbulence.
It is straightforward to travel between Phoenix's airport and nearby Mesa, and upon arrival at the airport, you will find a choice of awaiting ground transport, such as taxis, limos, statewide shuttles, city buses and rental cars, along with a SkyTrain service linking the Washington Valley Metro Light Rail.
Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)
Address: 6033 South Sossaman Road, Mesa, Arizona (AZ), 85212, USA
Tel: +1 480 988 7600
Considerably smaller and also very much of note is the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport, which is to be found around 15 miles / 24 km to the southeast of downtown Mesa, where it handles just under one million passengers each year. Allegiant Air is the sole airline based here and flies to some 35 destinations in the USA, several of which are seasonal destinations, such as
Honolulu and St. Cloud.
Car Rental
The US-60 (Superstition Freeway) skirts the southern side of the city and heads eastwards to Superstition Springs, Apache Junction and Gold Canyon, and westwards to Tempe and
Phoenix. If you are in possession of a rental car and looking to travel northwards to
Scottsdale, then the US-101 (Pima Freeway) heads in this direction and also runs southwards, to the US-202 (Santan Freeway), Chandler and Chuparosa Park.
Buses
Public transport in this part of Arizona is operated by Valley Metro, running Monday through Saturday. Local buses travel to destinations all around Mesa and to surrounding cities, such as Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Currently there is no public transit service available on Sundays.
Trains
The Washington Valley Metro Light Rail is an extremely popular and convenient transport alternative and travels through Mesa, to Tempe and Phoenix city center. West Mesa is served by its own Metro Light Rail Line, with this station being sited on Dobson Road.
Taxis
If you are opting for taxi transport in Mesa, then there are plenty of local taxi cab companies to choose from, as well as shared-ride vans that travel to and from the Sky Harbor Airport at Phoenix. The main firms include Canyon Taxis on West 8th Avenue (tel: +1 480 777 5880) and Union Cabs on West Main Street (tel: +1 480 303 9999), amongst other local and regional cab companies.
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