How to Get Around ASU Tempe: Bikes, Scooters, Light Rail, Walking
A practical guide to transportation at ASU Tempe — light rail, campus shuttles, bikes, scooters, and when walking is actually the right call.
You Don't Need a Car at ASU (But It Helps Sometimes)
Plenty of ASU students make it through four years without a car. The campus is walkable if you live close, the light rail connects you to Phoenix and Mesa, and the scooter/bike infrastructure in Tempe is genuinely decent. Here's how to actually navigate it.
Walking Campus
ASU Tempe campus is big but walkable. Palm Walk is the main artery — most of your classes are within a 10–15 minute walk of each other if you're going east-west. The north-south span (Gammage Auditorium at one end, Engineering at the other) takes longer. Budget 15 minutes between classes that are far apart, especially during weeks one and two when you don't know the shortcuts yet.
The underground tunnel network connects some buildings during peak heat. Learn these routes. In August, the difference between a shaded/tunneled route and a full-sun walk is significant.
The Light Rail
The Valley Metro light rail is the most underused student resource at ASU. There are two stops on campus — one near Rural Road and one near University Drive. Your Sun Card does not include a light rail pass automatically (check your specific student fee package), but the ASU U-Pass program is very affordable and gives you unlimited light rail access.
Where does the light rail actually take you? Downtown Phoenix (including the airport), Tempe, Mesa, and eventually (with extensions) further into the Valley. For getting to internships, concerts, games at Chase Field, or just a change of scenery, the light rail is genuinely useful.
Campus Shuttles
ASU runs shuttle routes around campus and to some off-campus locations. The routes are listed in the ASU app and they're free with your student ID. They're most useful for:
- Getting between the main Tempe campus and Lot 59 (if you park there)
- Connecting Tempe campus to other ASU locations
- Avoiding the long walk in extreme heat
Shuttles run on schedules, not on demand. Check the app before you rely on one.
Bikes
Tempe is legitimately bike-friendly by Arizona standards. There are bike lanes on most major streets near campus, and the paths along Tempe Town Lake are excellent. If you're living within two miles of campus, a bike is often faster than any other option once you factor in parking and walking.
Buy a good lock. Bike theft is real. A U-lock minimum; cable locks alone are not enough.
If you want a bike but don't want to buy new, check ASU List — students sell bikes constantly, especially at the end of the school year when they're leaving and don't want to ship it home.
Scooters and E-Bikes
Lime and other scooter companies operate heavily in the ASU area. They're convenient for short trips (less than a mile), but the costs add up if you use them daily — $1 to unlock plus per-minute fees. As a supplement, great. As a primary transportation method, expensive.
E-bikes have become popular with students who have longer commutes. They're pricier upfront but the operating cost is near zero. Used e-bikes show up on ASU List periodically.
Driving and Parking
Having a car in Tempe is useful for grocery runs, weekend trips, and off-campus jobs. Parking on campus is expensive and annoying. The reality:
- Student parking permits are not cheap
- The lots fill up early on MWF
- Street parking around campus has time limits that are enforced
- Parking structures exist but add a significant walk
If you have a car, use it for things outside campus. For getting to class, you'll often spend more time on parking than a walk or shuttle would take.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft are available and reasonably priced for off-campus trips at off-peak hours. For things like late-night rides from Mill Avenue or getting to Sky Harbor Airport, they're the right tool. Don't rely on them for daily transportation — the costs will add up faster than you expect.
The Practical Combination
Most students end up with some version of: walk for on-campus stuff, light rail for longer Phoenix/Mesa trips, scooters occasionally, and Uber/Lyft for specific situations. If you're more than a mile from campus, add a bike or e-bike.
The key is not trying to optimize one mode — it's knowing which tool fits which situation.
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