8 Things to Know Before Visiting Tucson

The first thing you'll notice is the Saguaro cacti (pronounced suh-waa-row), which are amazingly different. And many are enormous. This species of cactus won't be seen everywhere - they only grow in the Sonoran Desert.

Unique Sonoran Desert plant - the saguaro cactus.

On the way to your lodging, you'll see the wonderful Santa Catalina Mountains.

Tucsonans love this area, especially in the summer, as the terrain shifts dramatically! You can take the highway to Go Up Mount Lemmon to Summerhaven, astonishingly different - cacti-filled desert floor to pine-forested mountains within an hour.

The amazing Santa Catalina Mountains at Tucson AZ

When Comparing Tucson to Phoenix, our Tucson elevation sits at 2,400ft/731.5m. That's over 1000ft/304.8m higher than Phoenix, which is 1,086ft/331m.

The effect is that Tucson's temperatures are usually lower. And if you've been to Phoenix before, but never traveled to Tucson, you might notice some differences in the terrain, the saguaros are more scattered.

Some people may imagine that a desert is always hot, with little change. But Tucson isn't like that.

First, the Dry Heat. Have you ever heard the quip about a desert visit, "But it's a dry heat!" Dry heat is real but it's somewhat deceptive. You won't feel yourself sweating, as it evaporates in a flash to cool your skin - which does help. See our article on Tucson's Humidity Levels to understand how that will feel to you!

Temperature Swings are an amazing characteristic of desert environments. No matter the season, when the sun drops and evening arrives, the thermometer drops fast! Even as much as 30oF/16.6oC.

Winter is a Perfect Time of Year to Visit Tucson. The temperatures are somewhat low to moderate. We've even had snow here on the desert floor on rare occasions - I'll always remember my surprise on an Easter morning, with the ground covred in white chill! Remember to bring a light jacket (or more) if you arrive in December and January. See More About our Tucson Arizona Climate.

Tucson has a Monsoon Season from July through September. Although if you arrive in June, you'll hear the weather from the local news saying it begins June 15! Tucsonans love (including us!) seeing the build-up of clouds in the afternoon. Which gradually move from the mountains and the south. Until suddenly they're overhead pounding down rain. 

Monsoon thunderstorm is pushing into Tucson - can You hear the cacti say "Ahhh."

You can use the bus system, called Sun Tran. Routes spread out across the city, and into some outlying areas.

Currently Sun Tran is free to ride, which Tucson's mayor and city council instituted. So that makes one part easy. If you'll be in town less than a week, you may find the bus worthwhile. Call Customer Service for instructions on your intended destination route at 520-792-9222.

Once you have your entire Tucson Itinerary planned out, it may be beneficial to Download Their App. And if you have time, email them for more details for your routes: suntraninfo@tucsonaz.gov

• The Sun Link Street Car is a handy way to get around downtown areas, and over to 4th Avenue and the University of Arizona. It's also free. See More About the Routes>

Sun Link streetcar in Tucson heading west through downtown.

Tucson's airport is on the south side of town.

When you arrive by air, you could choose to Stay Near the Airport. Especially if you plan to be in town five days or less. You can Get A Rental Car to more easily See the Sights.

Hotels around town often have their own shuttles. Which can be quite handy.

There are shuttle services in Tucson specifically designed to take you from the airport to your hotel and vice-versa. Here's a list to evaluate:

• Chauffered Limo Rides to/from at A-1 Town Cars
• Mobility assistance to/from at B&B Transportation
• Handy service to/from the airport & more at Catalina Transportation Services
• Cab that Specializes for to/from airport at The Cool Cab Company
• This Luxury Service even arranges Meet/Greet with to/from airport at Diamond Transportation
• Staying at Loews Ventana Canyon? The Tucson Stagecoach will bring you both ways.
• To/from the airport in style: LeChic Transport & Limo Services.
• Personalized service options at Starr Transportation.

Tucson travel is more affordable than Phoenix or Scottsdale, as a rule.

However costs vary by season and by what may be going on in town, like any popular Tucson Events.

PEAK SEASON: Late fall, all winter, and early spring have the highest hotel rates. However, if you'd like to try Bargain Hotels - or Motels in Tucson, you may find your best rate for this time of year.

You may also end up with a bargain, though, by trying to reserve a hotel or activity at the last minute. But will you dare do that? We only do that when traveling if we decide to go spur of the moment!

SHOULDER SEASON: Typically rates will be lower than peak prices. Try scheduling a trip for April, August, September and October. The weather is a little cooler, and a rainstorm will really cool it down. Much of the crowds are gone vs peak season, so your trip will be more comfortable overall, while getting excellent rates.

LOW SEASON: The off-peak time of year is definitely May & June (the hottest months in Tucson), and July into August, which can cool down with clouds and the Monsoon. Great Bargains Can be Had, for sure!

Each year for our anniversary, July 6th, we book a staycation in Tucson - so we can enjoy a resort, and sample the local lodging. For example, we celebrated a couple of times at The Lodge on the Desert in Tucson, and we have a review you can check out.

Book your own room here for the Lodge on the Desert!

Evenings at any Time of Year can be wonderful.

Remember that as soon as the sun is setting the temperature begins dropping. Summers can get down to 70-84^oF/21-28.9^oC. We sometimes have a bit of time dawdling at our patio bar, especially when monsoon storms are around. No jacket needed! But in winter, temperatures will become lower too, so remember to have a jacket with or on you.

Monsoon is heading our way!

These specifics may be interesting and/or be helpful for your planning.

Time Zone: Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings Time (except for the Navajo Nation). We don't have to bother turning clocks back and forth during the year. We're always on Mountain Standard Time. And during Daylight Savings - our clocks reflect the same as Pacific Time.

Elevation Above Sea Level: In Tucson's desert valley, elevation ranges from 2,136ft/651m to approximately 2,600ft/792.5m. The immediately Surrounding Mountains are...

• Mount Wasson in the Tucson Mountains at 4,687ft/1,429m.
• Mount Lemmon is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains, at 9,171ft/2,795m.

Have a Safe Trip: Most Tucsonans live their day to day life without any safety problems. Tucson's like any other mid-sized city, crime does happen. But if visitors use common sense, stay in accomodations that have good ratings, frequent our Popular Tourist Attractions, note the surroundings at all times, and keep valuables out of sight - do this and you'll have no problem touring our town.

Distance to Mexico: Approximately 60mi/96.6km to the border at Nogales Arizona. Visitors who'd like a quick out-of-the-country trip often cross into Nogales, Sonora Mexico. Sampling the shops and restaurants. If you're up for that...

• From the Downtown Tucson area take I-10 south, keeping right. 
• Take Exit-260 for I-19S. (Notice distance and exit signs change to kilometers on this freeway - the only U.S. highway like that.)
• You'll reach the walk-over border crossing in about 1 hour.
• A parking lot (we've parked there many times) will be on the right, just before the road curves to the left.