This page introduces Tucson Gem Show Shuttles and parking.
You can find useful information about shuttle route maps, parking, and some tips.
What is Tucson Gem Show Shuttles?
Tucson Gem Show Shuttles will be provided by The City of Tucson and some shows. It will help you to visit show and show.
All shuttles are free, no reservation required, no requirements, and disabled-friendly.
Tucson Gem Show Shuttles visit over 40 shows. You can hop on or off at any stops on each route. It is one of the ways to see and visit shows which sparsely located in Tucson.
If you do not want to drive in an unfamiliar place, if you want to save your budget, Tucson Gem Show Shuttles are the best way.
Type of shuttles
Before use shuttles, you should know the type of shuttles.
In the Tucson Gem Show, there are two main shuttles, GemRide and MS Transportation.
These shuttles cover over 40 shows and connect to Parking Hub which located in the downtown area (Downtown Mercado Shuttle/Parking Hub) and south area (Kino Gem Loop Shuttle/ Parking Hub).
The GemRide is provided by the city of Tucson. It consists of four routes such as Downtown Gem Loop, Kino Gem Loop, Mineral & fossil Loop, and Casino Del Sol Express. Their interval is roughly 60 minutes.
MS Transportation is a local transportation company. Several shows sponsor them. They also provide a free shuttle every year. They have 8 routes in the show such as Blue, Copper, Emerald, Gold, Red 1, Red 2, Diamond, and SRGJ Route. Their interval is 15-30 minutes. (depends on routes)
To go around the show efficiently, you should combine these shuttles. Differences between both shuttles are routes, stops, intervals, dates and hours of services, and vehicle size.
Pros and Cons of shuttles
Tucson Gem Show Shuttles are good way to go around shows, but it has some advantages and disadvantages compare with rent-a-cars.
Pros
・Free
・Save parking fee
・Convinient
Cons
・Sometimes crowded
・Not on time (time-wasting)
・Infection risk when crowded
・A bit complicated
・Hard to carry heavy minerals or rocks
Route
Tucson Gem Show Shuttles consists of several routes.
Before ride it, you should figure out where your destination is, and what route will connect to your destination.
When you use shuttles, you have to plan your tour.
Kino Gem Loop Shuttle Map
Kino Gem Loop Shuttle covers the lower half of Tucson. It will stop by 8 shows, including Kino Gem & Mineral Show, G&LW Holidome, JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show, SRGJ Show, and The Best Bead Show.
You can use a Hub Express Shuttle to the Downtown Gem Loop and Mineral & Fossil Loop.
Download Kino Gem Loop Shuttle Map
Copper Shuttle
Copper Shuttle covers 4 biggest shows such as G&LW Gem Mall, G&LW Holidome, JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show, and Kino Gem & Mineral Show.
Ruby Express Shuttle
Ruby Express Shuttle covers 3 biggest shows such as JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show, GIGM Show (Globex Gem&Mineral Show/Red Lion Inn), and AGTA GemFair.
You can travel between the southern shows and the downtown shows with this shuttle. If you want to go downtown area from the south, it will be useful.
JOGS-AGTA Limo Shuttle (Diamond Road)
JOGS-AGTA Limo Shuttle connects between JOGS Gem & Jewelry Show and AGTA GemFair directly. The shuttle is only offered on the days the JOGS Show and AGTA Show share.
This shuttle is for registered guests of both shows. If you want to use it, should register to both shows in advance.
Downtown Gem Loop Shuttle Map
Downtown Gem Loop Shuttle covers 17 shows around downtown Tucson.
It stops by mainly GIGM Show Red Lion Inn, GIGM Show Motel 6 (formerly Howard Johnson), Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show, GIGM Show Quality Inn, 22nd Street Show, Granada Show Gallery, and Tucson Gem & Mineral Show (Main Show). There is a Hub Express Shuttle to the Kino Gem Loop available as well.
Download Downtown Gem Loop Shuttle Map
Mineral & Fossil Loop Shuttle Map
Mineral & Fossil Loop Shuttle covers 20 shows such as Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show, Fine Minerals International, Granada Show Gallery, Mineral & Fossil Co-op, and Fossil & Mineral Alley (formerly Ramada).
There is a Hub Express Shuttle to the Kino Gem Loop available as well. If you are interested in Fossil, you should use this shuttle.
Download Mineral & Fossil Loop Shuttle Map
Casino Del Sol Gem Loop Shuttle Map
Casino Del Sol Gem Loop Shuttle connects to Casino Del Sol from the Downtown Mercado Shuttle Hub and the Kino Shuttle/Parking Hub.
There is a Hub Express Shuttle to the Downtown Gem Loop and Mineral & Fossil Loop available as well.
Download Casino Del Sol Gem Loop Shuttle
Parking Garages and lots
You can find parking garages and lots around shuttle bus stops.
If you have a car, you should park somewhere near shuttle stops in advance.
However, some parking lots are not free, especially around the downtown area. You should confirm that the parking fee of your destinations (shows) are free or not. If your destinations offer free parking, you should not pay the parking fee to get shuttles.
Maps of Parking Garages of the downtown area
There are four recommended parking garages which connect shuttles in the downtown area. In the downtown area, you have to pay the fee each time.
Here are details of the parking garages of the downtown area.
Downtown Mercado Shuttle/Parking Hub
Location | 201 S. Linda Ave. |
Fee | $7/flat rate all day (as 2020) |
GemRide Routes | Downtown Gem Loop Mineral & Fossil Loop Hub Express bus to the Kino Gem Loop Hub Casino del Sol Express |
MS Transportation Routes | Emerald Gold Red 1 |
Map | Download |
City-State Garage
Location | W. Congress St. |
Fee | $2-$8 (as 2020) |
GemRide Routes | Downtown Gem Loop |
MS Transportation Routes | N/A |
Map | Download |
Tucson Convention Center
Location | 260 S. Church Ave. |
Fee | $10/flat rate all day (as 2020) |
GemRide Routes | Downtown Gem Loop Casino Del Sol Express |
MS Transportation Routes | N/A |
Map | Download |
Centro Garage
Location | 345 E. Congress St. |
Fee | $1-$8 (as 2020) |
GemRide Routes | Downtown Gem Loop Walk towards the Hotel Congress, and then one block west on Congress to 5th Avenue. Turn right to find GemRide Shuttle Stop 11. |
MS Transportation Routes | N/A |
Map | Download |