Colorado has an efficient system of public and private transportation services, including commercial airports, passenger railroads, buses, ride shares and bicycle rentals. It’s entirely possible to play and work here without your own car. Read our transportation blog.
How can you travel around Colorado?
You can travel throughout Colorado using either public or private transportation, or ideally a bit of both. There are some places the shuttles will not, however, a majority of folks are okay with just bolting up the ski resort straight from Denver International Airport.
 by Airplane |
 by Train |
 by Bus |
 by Automobile |
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It’s simple to go your whole vacation here without ever needing to rent a car, or perhaps even step food in. Fly into DIA, take the train to downtown Denver, from their board the Bustang west to the resort paradise of your choosing. Reverse the order to return to your home.
Commercial Airports in Colorado
There are only 14 certified commercial airports in the state. Denver boasts the Colorado’s only international airport, making it the main entry point for millions every year. Other regional airports, such as Montrose, Durango, and Yampa Valley, transport travelers to the furthest reaches of the state.
 Aspen |
 Colorado Springs |
 Cortez |
 Denver |
 Durango |
 Gypsum |
 Grand Junction |
 Gunnison |
 Montrose |
 Loveland |
 Pueblo |
 Alamosa |
 Telluride |
 Hayden |
Passenger Railroads in Colorado
In addition to a slew of historic trains, which rarely transport you anywhere except where you started, Colorado has two main passenger lines: RTD and Amtrak. Both operate trains out of downtown Denver and Union Station. Amtrak started service in 1971.
 Denver |
 Denver |
Historic Railroads in Colorado
From narrow gauge to cog railways, you can find a number of track types in the Rockies. Most of the narrow gauge tracks were chosen became space was limited high in the mountains. Several of the historic routes still operate. Learn more about railroads.
 Cripple Creek |
 Antonito |
 Durango |
 Fort Collins |
 Georgetown |
 Leadville |
 Manitou Springs |
 Denver |
 Alamosa |
 Cañon City |
Passenger Buses in Colorado
The bus connects to places that the trains won’t go. Whether you’re heading across the city, or looking to catch a bus down to Pueblo, you can find a lot of options out of Denver Union Station. Consider a group shuttle service too.
 Grand Junction |
 Colorado Springs |
 Pueblo |
 Denver |
 Glenwood Springs |
 Aspen |
 Steamboat Springs |
 Summit County |
Car Rentals in Colorado
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RV Rentals in Colorado
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Taxis and Ride Sharing in Colorado
Taxis cover the Denver Metro area and ride sharing giants, Uber and Lyft can be found in the rest of the state. Most bigger mountain towns will have ride sharing drivers available throughout the year. Small towns are harder to come by public auto transport, short of renting a car yourself.
 Denver Metro |
 Colorado |
 Denver Metro |
 Douglas County |
 Colorado |
Jeep Rentals in Colorado
Explore backcountry ghost towns, mining camps, and Colorado’s hidden attractions with a Jeep rental. Most companies offer unguided rentals, and provide excellent itineraries you’re welcome to follow, or ignore. If you’d prefer a guided tour, just hop it and buckle up! Learn more about Jeep rentals.
 Estes Park |
 Buena Vista |
 Ouray |
 Lake City |
 Salida |
 Silverton |
 Ouray |
Scenic Routes in Colorado
Twenty-five routes are designated as national scenic byways, and countless other roads are worth taking. Most are free, while some including Mt Evans, Pikes Peak and Trail Ridge Rd, charge a fee. Many are accessible year round, while some are seasonal. Learn more about scenic drives.
 Ouray-Lake-City |
 Como-Breckenridge |
 Fort Collins-Walden |
 Buena Vista-Salida |
 Grand Lake-Kremmling |
 Buena Vista-Almont |
 Rangely-Fruita |
 Yampa-Meeker |
 Pueblo-Westcliffe |
 Florissant-Florence |
 Mesa-Cedaredge |
 Georgetown-Grant |
 Walsenburg-Trinidad |
 Twin Lakes-Aspen |
 Crested Butte |
 Golden |
 Ridgway-Telluride |
 Alamosa-Antonito |
 Idaho Springs |
 Sterling-Greeley |
 Estes Park-Black Hawk |
 Cascade |
 Southwest CO |
 Lamar-Trinidad |
 Lake City-Creede |
 Julesburg-Ovid |
 Nathrop-Almont |
 Copper Mtn-Leadvile |
 Cortez-Dolores |
 Estes Park-Grand Lake |
 Grand Junction-Naturita |
 Pitkin |
 Carbondale-Gunnison |
Guide to Public and Private Transportation in Colorado
Denver’s Free Mall Ride connects Union Station with the Capitol Building via 16th St.
Colorado attracts people from all over the world to live here, whether as full time residents or part time vacationers. And there’s a great transportation to match that demand, ensuring everyone gets to where they need to go.
Most tourists arrive to Colorado via Denver International Airport. From here a plethora of options exist to take on the state. Of course you can rent a car, or you could take a train into downtown, a shuttle right to the mountains or take a connecting flight to a regional airport in Colorado.
Commercial airports: There are fourteen federally certified commercial airports in the state. Many regional airports are responsible for delivering winter tourists looking for their perfect vacation and ski lines. Denver International Airport stands above the others in terms of size, use and function.
Passenger trains: – The Mile High City is well connected via their RTD Light Rail system. It delivers passengers across the metro area, to Longmont, Littleton and Golden, as well as the airport. Amtrak also runs a couple of year round lines through sections of the state. Or opt for a local adventure aboard a historic rail line.
There are loads of transportation resources for the Colorado tourist. Ride a vintage narrow gauge train high in the Rockies. Rent a Jeep Wrangler and take it off-road to the vast backcountry. There are designated scenic byways that anyone with an automobile can enjoy.
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Related Activities
Jeeps share many of the same 4×4 roads as ATVs. Both usually pass numerous historic mines and ghost towns.
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