Getting to Colorado & Getting Around
Colorado.com Staff Writer
Major Airports
Denver International Airport
As the nation’s sixth-busiest airport, DIA offers more than 185 nonstop domestic and international destinations. Access to mountain resorts and other destinations is easy, and the airport can be reached from downtown Denver via the new Train to the Plane — RTD’s A Line commuter rail.
Denver has nonstop service to 26 international destinations in 12 countries — Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Switzerland, UK
Colorado Springs Airport
Serving Colorado’s second-largest city, COS makes the Pikes Peak area easily accessible. Rental car and other transportation options abound. Year-RoundFrom: Denver, Atlanta, Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix (AZA & PHX), Salt Lake City; Seasonal From: Minneapolis - St. Paul, San Antonio, Washington (IAD)
Grand Junction
Regional Airport
GJT is the largest airport in western Colorado and the third largest airport in the state. Five major airlines offer non-stop service to six destinations.
Year-Round From: Centennial (APA), Denver, Dallas (DFW), Las Vegas, Mesa (AZA), Phoenix (PHX), Salt Lake City; Seasonal From: Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles
Regional Buses & Light Rail
Several options exist for travel in and between Colorado’s cities.
RTD, Denver’s public transportation network is easy and inexpensive, and you can get pretty much anywhere in Denver by light rail or bus. The system of buses and light rail also serves cities and towns in the six counties that surround Denver, including Boulder, Longmont, Aurora, Littleton, Lakewood, Golden, Arvada and others. Additionally:
- The RTD A Line is the new Train to the Plane, running between downtown Denver and DIA. For $9, riders have access to the entire RTD system. There's also the SkyRide Bus, which runs between DIA and Thornton, Brighton, Boulder, the Denver Tech Center and Aurora.
- The Flatiron Flyer rapid-transit bus connects Denver and Boulder.
- Bustang connects Denver, Colorado Springs, Loveland, Fort Collins, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail, Eagle, Glenwood Springs, Estes Park/Rocky Mountain National Park (summer only) and more.
- Bustang Outlander's four lines connect Lamar, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Cañon City, Salida, Durango, Grand Junction, Cortez, Montrose, Telluride, Gunnison, Buena Vista and Denver.
- FREX is a regional bus route between Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Boulder.
- The Prospector connects Idaho Springs and Georgetown, as well the Idaho Springs Bustang stop.
- Summit Stage is a free bus between Keystone, Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco and Breckenridge.
- The Gunnison Valley RTA runs between Denver, Fairplay, Buena Vista, Salida, Pueblo and Gunnison.
- The Roaring Fork Transit Authority runs between Aspen, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Snowmass, Rifle and more.
- Greyhound buses run between Denver and Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Pueblo and Grand Junction.
- Several private shuttles run between Colorado cities, ski towns and airports.
Travel by Train
In addition to 10 historic and scenic railroads, Colorado offers modern and convenient train-travel options. Amtrak’s California Zephyr line makes the trip from Chicago, to Emeryville, California. On its way, it makes a stop in Denver and passes through Fort Morgan, Fraser, Granby, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction. The Southwest Chief goes from Chicago to Los Angeles, with Colorado stops in Lamar, La Junta and Trinidad.
In 2016, the wildly popular “ski train” returned to ferry skiers and boarders from Denver’s Union Station right to the base area of Winter Park Resort on winter weekends. The Winter Park Express zips winter lovers straight to the slopes in just two hours (Saturdays, Sundays and first Fridays, January TBA–March TBA, 2019).
Driving Distances
Colorado is the eighth-largest state in the US, measuring 380 miles east to west and 280 miles north to south. Luckily, with so much to see and do, the state is easy to navigate. Keep in mind when planning to travel from one region to another that there might be some mountains in between you need to go around — it's not always a straight shot from one point to another! Check out our drive-distance chart to get an idea of some common routes from corner to corner.
If you want to get in touch with knowledgeable locals during your visit, all you need to do is head to one of the nine Colorado Welcome Centers. There’s one located in each corner of the state and at both ends of the major interstates that bisect the state — I-25 and I-70. Stop by for personable, face-to-face travel advice, and take your pick from scores of maps, brochures and regional guides. The coffee is always hot, and each center has Internet access and clean restrooms, as well as information on weather and road conditions.
If you are planning to drive during the winter months, CODOT has information about the types of tires you will need to avoid a fine.
Other Colorado Airports
Alamosa-San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS)
Good for Visiting: Alamosa, Monte Vista, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, South Fork, Crestone, Salida, Wolf Creek and Pagosa Springs
Year-Round From: Denver
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE)
Good for Visiting: Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, Leadville and Glenwood Springs
Year-Round From: Denver, Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Salt Lake City
Seasonal From: Atlanta, Houston (IAH), Los Angeles, Minneapolis - St. Paul, Phoenix, San Francisco (SFO)
Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ)
Good for Visiting: Cortez, Dolores, Mesa Verde National Park and Mancos
Year-Round From: Denver, Phoenix (PHX)
Durango/La Plata County Airport (DRO)
Good for Visiting: Durango, Cortez, Mesa Verde National Park, Silverton and Pagosa Springs
Year-Round From: Denver, Dallas (DFW), Phoenix (PHX)
Seasonal From: Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles
Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
Good for Visiting: Vail, Beaver Creek and Glenwood Springs
Year-Round From: Denver, Dallas (DFW)
Seasonal From: Atlanta, Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles, Miami, New York (JFK & LGA), Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix (PHX), Salt Lake City, San Francisco (SFO), Washington (IAD)
Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport (GUC)
Good for Visiting: Gunnison and Crested Butte
Year-Round From: Denver
Seasonal From:Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH)
Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)
Good for Visiting: Montrose, Ouray, Ridgway, Telluride and Delta
Year-Round From: Denver and Dallas (DFW)
Seasonal From: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles, Newark, New York (LGA), Phoenix (PHX), Salt Lake City, San Francisco
Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB)
Good for Visiting: Pueblo, La Junta and Walsenburg
Year-Round From: Denver
Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)
Good for Visiting: Telluride
Year-Round From: Denver
Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN)
Good for Visiting: Steamboat Springs and Craig
Year-Round From: Denver
Seasonal From: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago (ORD),
Dallas (DFW), Fort Lauderdale, Houston (IAH), Los Angeles, Minneapolis - St. Paul, Newark, San Diego, San Francisco (SFO), Seattle, Washington (IAD)