2006 WAAC Annual Meeting

Tucson, AZ
October 20-22, 2006

Getting to Tucson – and Getting Around Once You Are There!

University of Arizona Campus Map has maps of the and other information about getting around the UA campus. It also gives links to additional maps that can provide driving instructions for getting to the University

By Air

Tucson International Airport (TUC) hosts 10 domestic airlines: Alaska Airlines, America West/US Airways, American, Continental, Delta/SkyWest, Frontier, Northwest, Southwest, and United.

Rental cars are available at the airport. According to the airport website, the rental agencies are located in the terminal and there is a rental garage for the cars—they are not off-site as in some airports.

If you choose not to rent a car and your hotel does not have a shuttle, try the Arizona Stagecoach, a door-to-door airport shuttle service (http://www.azstagecoach.com/, 520-889-1000).

Sometimes it is more convenient or less expensive to fly in/out of Phoenix rather than Tucson—so it's usually worth comparing flights in both airports. The SkyHarbor Airport in Phoenix (PHX) is approximately a 1.5 hour drive from central Tucson; traffic on the I-10 highway between the cities can be heavy but unless there is an accident delays are usually not significant. An alternative to renting a car in Phoenix is to take the Arizona Shuttle service (http://www.arizonashuttle.com/, 1-800-888-2749, or 520-795-6771). Pick up the shuttle at any of the PHX terminals; there are three shuttle stop locations in Tucson. The one closest to the meeting is the University stop, at 501 N. Park Ave (a convenience store). This is located on the edge of the University campus, a short walk from the meeting location and from the University Marriott hotel. To reach other hotels, or rental car agencies, it would probably be necessary to call a taxi. Arizona Shuttle fares depend on whether you have a reservation or not; reservations made within a week of travel cost $29 one-way and $58 round-trip; 7-day advance are less expensive and same-day purchase more costly.

By Train or Bus

Not the most common means of arriving in Tucson, but Amtrak and Greyhound both have stations downtown, thus within a couple of miles of the meeting location. Rental car facilities would require a taxi ride.

By Car

The I-10 freeway runs through Tucson, roughly skirting it from the northwest to downtown, then curving eastwards to skirt the southern part of the city (or vice-versa, if you approach from the east). Thus the freeway is a way to get to Tucson, but not usually an effective means of getting around once there.

A major construction project will affect the I-10 freeway in central Tucson for much of 2006-2009, including during our meeting. Current information (February 2006) suggests that exits in the downtown area will remain open during the time of the WAAC meeting; however it is worth checking the ADOT website for current information (http://www.i10tucsondistrict.com/29toP.html).

Getting Around Tucson

Unless you stay at one of the few hotels within walking distance of the University (see separate list), you will probably want a car when in Tucson. Rental car locations are scattered throughout the city, and also at the airport. Check with your favorite rental company to make your plans.

The city also has a bus system, SunTran. More information (including maps, schedules and fares) is available at http://www.suntran.com/trindex.htm or by calling 792-9222 (TTY/TDD 628-1565)

Parking for the Meeting

A campus parking garage is located at Park and Speedway Blvds., across Speedway from the Center for Creative Photography (see campus map). A pedestrian underpass connects the garage area to the main part of campus; follow the underpass from the garage south, and the CCP is the second building on the left. Parking is free on weekends and costs a maximum of $7/day on weekdays.