How To Get From Denver To The Mountains Without A Car

There are several great options for getting from Denver to the mountains without a car.  Colorado has really stepped up its public transportation in recent years to make more of the state accessible without a car. You can let someone else do the driving, while you relax on the way to your destination and also help limit congestion on the roads.  Whether you are flying into the Denver Airport or coming from somewhere else in Denver, there are several great options for getting to the mountains without a car.  And once you arrive, many mountain towns have free or affordable bus systems to help you get around during your visit.  Whether you are coming to the Rocky Mountains for a ski trip, camping trip, wedding, or anything else, these are the best transportation options to get from Denver to the mountains without a car.

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Getting From Denver International Airport To Denver Union Station

Many of these transportation methods leave from Denver Union Station in downtown Denver.  So it’s worth covering how to get to Union Station without a car.  Most areas in Greater Denver can reach Union Station by using buses or light rail provided by RTD.

Or if you are flying into Denver International Airport (DIA), the best way to get to Union Station is Light Rail, Uber, or taxi.

The Light Rail is honestly the way to go, it’s way cheaper, and takes about 37 minutes.  A one-way light rail ticket is $10.50 and it runs every 15 minutes right from the north end of the airport (runs every 30 minutes early morning or late evening).  You can buy a ticket from one of the kiosks right by the platform or just hop on the train and buy a ticket with the RTD App.

An Uber or taxi has the potential to be barely quicker (26 minute drive ideally), but once you factor in waiting for your driver and potential traffic it’s nearly the same time, and typically costs about $40-50.

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Bustang

The Bustang has daily routes all over the state of Colorado.  These coach buses provide affordable travel without a car to most popular mountain destinations like Frisco, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Crested Butte, Grand Junction, even Telluride, and more.  All tickets are not date-specific and non-directional (as in, Vail-Denver is the same ticket as Denver-Vail).  The only concern with this setup is that your spot on a particular bus is not guaranteed.  But since full buses are not covered in the FAQ, I presume it’s not really a common issue.

“Each Bustang coach is equipped with a restroom, bike racks, free WiFi, power outlets, and USB ports. There is also a wheelchair lift and two wheelchair securement areas on each coach. Please be advised that our WiFi system is dependent on local cellular signals.”  –Bustang

Bustang West Line

The I-70 corridor definitely has the most number of buses running per day on the Bustang West Line.  The route connects Denver Union Station and Grand Junction, Colorado, stopping at most major towns along Interstate 70.  The West Line has several buses operating every day in both the eastbound and westbound directions along I-70.   (But keep in mind that some of the routes leaving Denver later in the day don’t go all the way to Grand Junction.)

The price varies based on how far you travel, with one-way price ranges from Idaho Springs ($5) to Grand Junction($43).  And you can even get on and off at different points along the route, to travel between mountain destinations.

Bustang Outrider Routes

But if you are hoping to travel to destinations off the I-70 corridor there are several Bustang Outrider Routes that service other areas.  These would include other popular mountain towns like Steamboat Springs, Winter Park, Buena Vista, Crested Butte, Telluride, and more. Prices are still very affordable, but offer much more limited schedules.

• Route Name (Other Popular Stops)
• Craig-Denver (Steamboat Springs, Granby, Winter Park, Empire)
• Crested Butte-Denver (Gunnison, Monarch Mtn, Salida, Buena Vista, Fairplay)
• Durango-Grand Junction (Telluride, Ridgeway, Montrose)
• Telluride-Grand Junction (weekdays-only version of the previous bus)

These Bustang Outrider routes are operated in conjunction with other transportation companies and typically only offer one route per day in each direction.

The single route per day does make it less convenient to use for traveling from Denver into the mountains without a car.  Especially if you are flying into the Denver Airport, it is harder to coordinate a flight that pairs well with the only trip of the day.

And the routes that leave from Grand Junction are far enough from Denver that you can really only connect them in a single day if you leave on the first bus out of Denver. 

For example, if you want to go from Denver to Telluride in one day, you need to catch the very first West Line bus from Denver at 7am.  Then transfer to the Durango line or Telluride line to finish the trip.  And this would be a very long travel day, turning a 6-hour drive into a nearly 10-hour travel day.  And that doesn’t include travel time to get to Union Station. So while it is possible, this is definitely pushing the limits of what your average person can tolerate in a day.

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Bustang Pegasus Shuttle

The Bustang Pegasus is the newest shuttle option for getting from Denver to the mountains without a car. It’s route connects Denver to the major towns along I-70.  It launched May 2022, and is a welcomed addition.  In my opinion, it is now the best option in terms of affordability and convenience.  However, they are currently only scheduled for weekend (or long-weekend) travels to the mountains.

Pegasus offers a full schedule of routes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, plus a few limited routes on Thursday and Monday.  The Pegasus route connects Denver’s Union Station, with stops at the Lakewood-Denver Federal Center, Idaho Springs, Frisco, Vail, and Avon.

These new Ford Transit Shuttles are hard to miss with their bright blue color.  Built for speed, comfort, and convenience, all Pegasus shuttles are climate controlled and equipped with USB ports, outlets, and WiFi.

A round-trip ticket between Denver Union Station and Vail or Avon is $20.

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Private and Chartered Shuttle Companies

The next category of transportation from Denver into the mountains is private and charter shuttles.  Their shared shuttle option is a bit more expensive than Bustang, but offers shorter travel time, and often door-to-door service.  That is, they can take you directly from say, the Denver Airport right to your house or accommodation.  It may be worth the money for the added convenience and travel time saved.

Or their most premium option is a private chartered service.  This is the most expensive, but also adds the most personalized service.  If you are traveling at odd hours when buses and shuttles aren’t running, then it may be the only option.  They have various vehicle sizes from shuttle vans to SUVs depending on your needs. Or if you are coordinating a big group, like a wedding, it’s the best option to organize private transportation for your guests.

These shared shuttles and private charters operate on reservations, so your trip can be guaranteed way in advance, giving you peace of mind that your spot is secured.

Here are a few popular companies

• Epic Mountain Express (Serves I-70)
• Peak 1 Express (Serves I-70)
• Summit Express (Serves I-70)
• Alpine Express (Serves basically everything else)

All these companies have the option to book online or over the phone.

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How To Get Around The Mountains Once You Are There

Luckily many of the mountain communities in Colorado have free or affordable bus systems.  So you can often enjoy a trip to the mountains without even needing a car to get around your destination.  They can take you nearly everywhere you would want to go, except for deep into the backcountry.  Here are links to the bus systems in each region.

• Summit Stage Bus (Breck, Keystone, Frisco, Silverthorne, Copper, A-Basin)
• Town Of Vail Busses (Vail)
• Eco Bus (Vail, Beaver Creek, Minturn, Avon, Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum)
• Beaver Creek Transportation (Beaver Creek Ski Resort)
• Ride Glenwood (Glenwood Springs)
• RFTA (Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Rifle)
• GVT (Grand Junction, Palisade, Fruita)
• Galloping Goose (Telluride)
• Crested Butte Free Bus (Crested Butte)
• Gunnison Valley RTA (Gunnison, Crested Butte)
• Steamboat Springs Bus (Steamboat Springs)
• The Lift (Winter Park)

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Uber, Lyft & Taxi

The last way to get from Denver to the mountains without a car is to hail an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi.  I don’t really recommend using this method because you pay as much or more than a private shuttle or charter.  Yet it doesn’t offer quite the same level of comfort and service.  The vehicle you travel in is likely less comfortable with fewer amenities.

And also finding available drivers in Denver is no problem, but finding available drivers in the mountains can be hit or miss.

So while Uber, Lyft, and taxis are an option, I don’t think they really provide the best value for your money.

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Conclusion | Getting From Denver To The Mountains Without A Car

These days it is very easy to get from Denver to the mountains without a car.  Many visitors or travelers will find that they can save money and hassle by choosing another method of transportation.  You can also avoid the stress of driving winter roads in the mountains.  So whether you are looking for the cheapest option on a Bustang coach bus, a premium private shuttle, or something in between, there are lots of options to get to your mountain destination.

Read: Essential Outdoor Recreation Apps For Colorado

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