Phoenix is spread out, meaning distance between places of interest tends to be significant. Therefore, a rental car is ideal outside the downtown area. The Valley Metro Light Rail in Phoenix is one of the busiest light rail systems in the country, making getting around much easier for visitors. Stations run right by some of the city's top attractions, such as the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, and the Arizona Science Centre.Valley Metro buses access areas the light rail doesn't reach and the rail and bus routes have the same basic fares: tickets can be purchased from vending machines at all stations. There is also a free central city shuttle bus service, called DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle), which is useful for accessing attractions like the state capitol and major shopping malls. Taxis are freely available from local companies but tend to be expensive and are not recommended for travelling long distances.
