This is the only way to travel to the race or if you're going to a game in downtown Phoenix. Yes,…read moreit was packed but we didn't have to worry about parking or driving. About a five-minute wait each way. Cost $6 total and can be purchased on the app. For an all-day pass, it was $4 for me and $2 for my hubby.

I've been using the Valley Metro Rail since its grand opening back in 2008. I hate dealing with…read moreparking downtown for events and jump on the light rail just to avoid parking fees (and high gas prices). Plus some of the arenas will offer free rides for certain events. It's fun when you get on a train with lots of local fans that are excited for a big game. But as with most transportation systems, you get some characters that like to jump on for a free ride. I've definitely have had some interesting people watching moments over the years. Valley Metro Rail has 38 stops/'stations between Gilbert and Phoenix. I usually park at the Apache and 101 location because there is a large park-and-ride parking lot there. The light rail does have a stop at the airport that connects with Sky Harbor's Sky Train. But it sucks that you can't leave your car at a park-and-ride overnight. Because the light rail runs along the street and not above ground, many cars have run into trains over the years. As of 2023, Valley Metro charges $2 for one ride and $4 for an all-day pass. Security does occasional check for tickets. Valley Metro Rail has several extensions being planned and currently under construction to reach other parts of the Valley.

I have done this Valley Metro/Sky Train combo a couple of times now. If you ride the Valley Metro…read moreto the stop at 44th street and Washington, you can exit and take the escalators to the Sky Harbor Sky Train which will take you to the terminals. I only live a couple of miles from a Valley Metro light rail stop, so I can lift or uber over for cheap if I need to use this system last minute. Usually when I am doing a 2-4 day trip, I park over at one of the airport shuttle locations outside of Sky Harbor airport and ride in. If I am going on a long trip overseas, I will ask someone to drop me off and pick me up. This light rail option is my last resort option if no one is available or if I just don't feel like paying to park at the airport. The nice thing about the Valley Metro/Sky Train is that it is cheap. It is only $2 to ride the light rail. Yes, you are dealing with the interesting characters that ride the light rail if you go this route. But it is a small price to pay to make a budget friendly trip. The bad thing about using this is that you cannot leave your car overnight at a Valley Metro park-n-ride. So leaving your car there and going away for a few days is not an option. Unless you want to come back and find out that your car was towed. The other thing is that it can take awhile to get to the airport on the light rail. So you have to plan ahead to make sure you arrive at your gate on time. Both the Valley Metro and Sky Train run 24/7. The Valley Metro runs less trains overnight.

The SkyTrain is my jam! I didn't use it for many trips to AZ and I'm not sure why. Did it not exist…read moreyet? Was I just clueless? For those of you that don't know, it's completely free unlike the NYC SkyTrain. And once you get to 44th Street Station and off airport property, you can get an Uber or a Lyft for like half the price. I always call it from the Crowne Plaza across the street so I have an A/C spot to sit if I need it to wait for my ride.

Yes, it's public transportation, and yes you're going to have characters aboard. Nothing different…read morethan any other city's light rail system. Honestly, I had no ultimate destination and strictly wanted to sightsee. Having no idea what to expect, I chose the day pass at $4 and got on at this stop. Yes, they will check your ticket. Mine was scanned three times while I went to and from Phoenix. One girl gave an expired pass to the ticket gentleman (sorry I don't know his correct title) and all he said was "your ticket isn't valid, make sure you get a valid ticket". Well, that was nice. In the train in the trip into Phoenix, the windows were covered with some sort of dotted barrier, so we couldn't really see out. In the cart back into Tempe, we could see out with no problem, even when it started getting dark. I guess we lucked out. We met this super cool dude that showed us his video collection of train characters that he's encountered, including the window licker. Footage of a guy literally making out with his reflection. You can't make this stuff up. When we got to the end of the route the announcement indicated that it was time to exit, but we were in for the long haul and stayed on. So, don't pay attention to that announcement if you're site seeing too.

I can't lie the benches at this train station go crazy. Sat here for like 15 minutes before the…read moretrain showed up just chillin on another level. Stepped on that train feeling like a new man. Next time I come here I'm bringing the whole squad

Amtrak is a great way to travel and Hazel at this station just makes things stellar. The station is…read moreclean and as comfortable as a station can be. It's not the Ritz so don't be picky. Trains don't run precisely on time so plan accordingly. But the staff is warm and caring. Would give six stars if I could.

I've been flying since I was 16, pre 9/11, yet I've somehow never been on a train. I don't know…read morewhat I expected, but I have horrible travel anxiety, and dreaded traveling by myself. The website gave clear instructions on baggage, emailing me regularly with updates regarding my trip. I cake customer service once for clarification on baggage, and Jasmine was a true gem as she answered all my questions. Upon arrival, the woman at the desk was lovely, signing me in immediately and answering my remaining questions while updating me on the train status. The station itself is small but very well kept and clean. The bathroom was also clean, which is quite a feat these days in public. Thank you, Amtrak, for making this an easy and hassle-free experience for me.

After 3 long years of construction down 19th Ave from the Montebello Station to Dunlap the…read more#NWExtension is finally complete! We've dealt with the construction, disruption, road closures and dust in our nearby neighborhoods on the trail of the light rail and it's now over. The ride is sweet and complete! It us really nice. The work was done well and the street us nice newly paved and landscaped. The public art for each station designed by local artists or kids. This station is out by Fry's and for the life of me i do no understand the artwork that they here. It is good to have some public transportation close to our home which is fast and reliable. A wonderfully green alternative to driving and parking. It's now nice to be on the trail if the light rail!

The Metro Valley Light Rail stop if you are going to Mekong Plaza. There are lots of Asian…read morerestaurants here from Filipino, Japanese to Korean! Some of my favorite places include Asian Cafe Express, Ice Lab, and Green Lotus Vegetarian. You'll find a lot of Asian businesses here from Nail Salons, Massage Shops to Boba Tea Stores. The Mekong Supermarket is across the street, and also a Safeway on the other side of the light rail. Plenty of parking for commuters, as well as a Grid Bike Share Hub. The only thing that is missing is a Planet Fitness.

Drivers are very unprofessional. Especially under the COVID-19 stuff. However there are some very…read moregood drivers. Passenger safety goes out the window. Along with customer service and safety.

I don't take the light rail very often if at all. That being said I have to say that when I have…read moretaken the light rail that I do not feel safe. There are many many homeless people and there are not enough security on the light rail. Phoenix is a relatively safe city but I cannot believe that there are not enough security patrol people for the light rail system. This needs to change. Now of course I have no issue with people who are homeless because I feel badly about that. But at the same time I have seen several physical altercations on the light rail between some of the homeless people that have become violent. That is why I feel that for a city like Phoenix That it is absolutely essential for more security on the light rail system.

This is the platform I love more than any other! It's the last station I take before flying out of…read moreSky Harbor and the first one I embark upon returning. So, a big part of my heart is fond of this one. It's also down the street from the Asian market, so when I need to stock up on ginger and turmeric root, it has me covered.

Why have I never used a park-and-ride before?? This is actually SUCH a cute and easy option for…read morebasketball games or any other events downtown. The best part? The light rail is FREE with your game ticket (not all games tho so double check your ticket first), which honestly makes the whole experience feel even better. If you get there early, there's tons of parking too. The only little downside is that most of it isn't covered, but there are some shaded spots if you're lucky enough to grab one! It's super close to the light rail, so getting to the game is basically stress-free. Also, if you're a shaded parking type, there are nearby spots you can check out too. They also have a few disability parking spaces available! Tiny warning though: keep an eye out for the entrance because it's weirdly easy to miss the right turn into the park-and-ride!

Not much around this light rail station. Just the Gateway Community College and the Phoenix Swap…read moreMeet across the street. No coffee shop or anything interesting to see. A sad little station indeed!