ASU Campus Visit Guide 2025: Travel Tips, Campus Resources & What Visitors Need to Know

ASU has four main campuses, but 90% of student visits happen at ASU Tempe, the university’s flagship.

✔️ Official ASU Visit Portal

Before anything else, check the official scheduling page:

ASU Visit Experience:
https://visit.asu.edu

Here you can book:

General campus tours

Barrett Honors tours

Major-specific tours

Transfer tours

Virtual sessions if you're comparing campuses

ASU updates tour availability monthly, so book early — peak season (Jan–May and Oct–Nov) fills up fast.

✔️ Pre-Visit Checklist

ASU recommends bringing:

Valid ID

Comfortable walking shoes

Water (Tempe gets hot even in winter)

Notepad or phone for taking notes

A form of payment (food isn’t free on tours)

If you're a parent traveling with a student, ASU tours are family-friendly and allow multiple guests.

2. Flying Into ASU: Best Airports
✈️ Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) — Best Option

Located just 10 minutes from ASU Tempe.

Why students pick PHX:

$15–$25 Uber/Lyft rides to campus

Free airport SkyTrain connects to the Valley Metro light rail

Direct flights from nearly every major U.S. city

If you're staying in Tempe, PHX is extremely convenient.

✈️ Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) — Budget Option

Serves Allegiant and ultra-low-cost carriers.

Good for travelers coming from:

Utah

Texas

Idaho

Montana

Midwest

It’s 35–40 minutes from ASU Tempe, but rideshare can be pricey.

3. Getting From the Airport to ASU
🚇 Light Rail (Most Affordable)

The Valley Metro light rail connects:
PHX Airport → Downtown Tempe → ASU Campus
Cost: $2 one-way

Exit at:

Veterans Way/College Ave Station (Tempe Center)

University/Rural Station (east side of campus)

🚗 Uber / Lyft

Average ride:

PHX → ASU Tempe: $15–$25

PHX → Downtown Phoenix (ASU Downtown): $18–$30

🚌 ASU Shuttle System (Once You’re on Campus)

Free for all visitors once you're on campus grounds:

Routes include:

Tempe ↔ Downtown Phoenix

Tempe ↔ Polytechnic

Tempe ↔ West

Tempe ↔ ASU Research Park

Schedules:
https://cfo.asu.edu/shuttles

4. Where to Stay Near ASU (Student-Friendly Options)

Hotels within walking distance of ASU Tempe:

Closest to Campus (Walkable)

Graduate Tempe (most popular with visiting students)

Moxy Phoenix Tempe/ASU Area (fun, trendy, student vibe)

AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Tempe

Hyatt Place Tempe/Phoenix Airport

Budget Options

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tempe

Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix/Tempe ASU

Sonesta Simply Suites Phoenix Tempe

Tip:
Book early during:

Football weekends

Spring break

Fall welcome week

ASU Family Weekend

Prices spike fast.

5. ASU Campus Visitor Resources
🗺️ ASU Interactive Maps

One of the best tools for visitors:
https://www.asu.edu/map

Features:

Building search

Walking routes

Dining locations

Restroom & water fountain locator

Disability-accessible pathways

🧭 ASU Mobile App

Download the official ASU app before your visit.
Includes:

Campus navigation

Parking lot information

Dining menus

Shuttle times

Daily events calendar

6. Where Visitors Can Park

ASU requires paid parking for all visitors unless otherwise noted.

Recommended Visitor Garages (Tempe Campus)

Apache Boulevard Garage

Fulton Center Garage

University Towers Garage

Rural Road Structure

Prices: ~$4/hour, $16/day

Pay stations accept:

Cards

Apple Pay

Google Wallet

Visitors can also use the ParkMobile app.

7. What to Do During Your Visit
✔️ Official Campus Tour

A guided tour led by an ASU student ambassador.

Functions as:

A general orientation

A walking tour of key campus locations

A Q&A session with current students

✔️ Barrett Honors College Tour (If Applicable)

Requires separate registration.

✔️ Explore Iconic ASU Locations

Must-see spots on the Tempe campus:

Palm Walk

Hayden Library

Memorial Union

Sun Devil Stadium

Old Main

ASU Gammage

✔️ Check Out Mill Avenue

Food, shopping, and student nightlife.

Popular spots:

Postino

Snooze A.M. Eatery

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

Spinelli’s Pizza

Dutch Bros (yes, right next to campus)

8. Food Options on Campus

ASU has tons of dining options for visitors:

🍔 Fast Food & Quick Meals

Chick-fil-A

Shake Smart

Jamba

Qdoba

Subway

🍽️ Sit-Down Options

Engrained Café (sustainable, local ingredients)

Devils’ Greens

Pitchforks Restaurant (main dining hall)

Menus & hours:
https://dining.asu.edu

9. Safety & Accessibility Resources for Visitors

ASU has several systems to help visitors navigate campus safely:

🟡 ASU LiveSafe App

Even visitors can use it to:

Share your location with family

Report safety concerns

Receive emergency alerts

🟡 ADA Accessibility Services

Campus is fully accessible; request accommodations here:
https://eoss.asu.edu/drc

🟡 ASU Police Department

Available 24/7.
Non-emergency line: 480-965-3456

10. Tips for a Successful ASU Campus Visit
✔️ Visit During a Class Day

Campus feels more energetic and accurate.

✔️ Stay Hydrated

Tempe stays warm even in winter.

✔️ Schedule Major-Specific Visits

Business, engineering, sustainability, journalism, and health programs all have special sessions.

✔️ Walk the Campus on Your Own After the Tour

You’ll get a better feel for:

Student life

Campus flow

Dining options

Study spots

✔️ Visit Downtown Tempe at Sunset

Tempe Town Lake + Mill Avenue skyline = perfect impression.

11. Useful ASU Links to Save

Book a tour: https://visit.asu.edu

ASU map: https://www.asu.edu/map

ASU dining: https://dining.asu.edu

Shuttles: https://cfo.asu.edu/shuttles

ASU lodging partnerships (discounts): https://visit.asu.edu/travel

Light Rail: https://valleymetro.org