How to Get from Denver Airport to Aspen

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route to aspen via glenwood springs

Planning a trip to Aspen and wondering the best way to get there from Denver Airport? Whether you want to get there quickly, cheaply, or if you just want to make a road trip out of it, I’ve got you covered.

Despite being most famous as a ski resort town, there are plenty of reasons to visit Aspen any time of the year. In fact, Aspen sees more tourists in the summer than it does in the winter!

Whether you’re going hiking, ghost hunting, or simply to enjoy the area, Aspen has plenty to offer.

Aspen has its own airport (ASE), but it’s far more likely that you’ll fly to Denver International Airport (DEN) if you aren’t flying directly to Aspen.

So, how do you get from Denver Airport to Aspen? Below is a comprehensive overview of all the options along with some helpful tips.

Distance from Denver Airport to Aspen

Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 220 miles (354 kilometers) away from Aspen, Colorado by road. The travel time usually ranges between 3.5 to 5 hours, depending on traffic, weather conditions and the route you take.

There are two main driving routes from Denver Airport to Aspen. We’re also going to discuss a third in case you need a backup option.

Route 1: The Glenwood Springs Route via I-70 W and CO-82 E

route to aspen via glenwood springs

The Glenwood Springs route is my preferred route for many reasons.

First, it is much “easier” driving than the second route, so you don’t have to worry about any challenging or scary roads (more on this later).

Second, there’s a lot to do along this route. You not only get to drive through the Rockies, but you’ll get to drive past Vail, Avon/Beaver Creek and Glenwood Springs – all destinations I consider to be a must visit!

Last, this route is open year-round.

glenwood springs route to aspen

Route 2: The Continental Divide Route via I-70 W, CO-91 S, CO-82 W

independence pass
Independence Pass

If the Continental Divide is on your Colorado Bucket List, this is going to be the route for you.

The first part of this route mirrors the Glenwood Springs route, however it breaks off just past Frisco where you hop on CO-91 S and continue your journey through the Rockies past Leadville. You’ll then go on to Highway 82 continue and pass Twin Lakes and the Continental Divide.

While the scenery throughout this route is incredible, it does come at a price: Independence Pass. You’ll need to drive this 12,095 ft high mountain pass for 32 miles, which can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours to drive.

Independence pass is shut from October until May and is not a drive you want to do if winding mountain roads with steep drop-offs and no guardrails scare you!

Denver Airport to Aspen Transportation Options

So, how can you get to Aspen from Denver Airport? Here are your options.

Renting a Car from Denver Airport to Aspen

Best for: Families, all-round convenience

How to book: rentalcars.com

Renting a car at Denver Airport is probably the best all-round option. While it might not be the cheapest, the flexibility and economic benefits far outweigh the extra money you’ll spend. Plus, there are some amazing scenic views on the drive, and you can obviously stop as much as you need to.

Renting a car is a good option for families because you’ll likely want a car for getting around Aspen, and some of the other options below won’t be great if you have small kids.

Your best bet would be to rent a 4WD or AWD vehicle regardless of the time of year. Of course, if you’re driving in the colder months, be wary of the snow and adverse weather conditions.

Pros

  • Control over journey time, stops, etc.
  • Cost-effective option for parties of 3-6.
  • Covers transport around Aspen and surrounding areas.

Cons

  • Can quickly become expensive for extended periods

Taking Uber or Lyft

Best for: Convenience, couples

How to book: Uber or Lyft app

Booking an Uber is arguably the most convenient option, as all you need to do is use the app. It’s perfectly possible to book an Uber or Lyft from Denver Airport to Aspen, although the cost can vary wildly. Expect it to cost $200-300 for the cheapest option.

There’s not much else to say about this option that isn’t self-explanatory. If you’re traveling in the winter, be sure to book an AWD or 4×4 that can handle the adverse weather conditions. The route and timings should be the same as the driving option above.

In terms of booking and scheduling, you’ll be able to get an Uber to pick you up from the airport without much difficulty. However, the route length and potential road conditions could narrow your pool of drivers, leading to minor delays.

Pros

  • Easy to book a ride
  • Doesn’t require much effort on your part
  • Offers some of the same benefits as driving

Cons

  • Not a great option in winter

Flying from Denver Airport to Aspen

Best for: Speed, individuals not wanting to spend much time on the road

How to Book: united.com

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that flying from Denver Airport to Aspen is the quickest option. Aspen Airport (ASE) is fairly small and only has a single runway, but there are still up to 6 flights a day from Denver alone.

While small, ASE does offer nonstop flights to multiple cities. You might want to see if you can fly there directly from your origin city to save yourself a ton of time and hassle!

Expect a direct flight from DEN to ASE to take about an hour. There are more flights in the winter to accommodate higher passenger numbers, but make sure you factor weather conditions into any potential delays.

In terms of cost, it can range anywhere from $199 one-way to more than $700 for a round trip. The average price per person for a round trip is $450.

Bear in mind, you’ll also have to arrange transport from the airport to your hotel, although there are plenty of transportation options in the area.

Pros

  • By far the quickest option
  • Convenient – you’re already at Denver Airport

Cons

  • Expensive for the amount of time it cuts off the journey

Taking the Shuttle from Denver Airport to Aspen

Best for: Larger parties

How to book: Colorado Airport Express

It’ll probably come as no surprise that there’s a shuttle service from Denver Airport to Aspen. You can book private and shared shuttles – the latter can help bring the cost down considerably depending on your party size.

The easiest option is to book your shuttle online in advance. Expect the cost to be $100-150 per person, although this can increase drastically in the winter due to increased tourism. As you can see, getting a shuttle might not be more cost-effective than an Uber depending on the size of your party.

Although shuttle services generally run all year, weather conditions can delay services. This is the case with pretty much any option for getting from Denver Airport to Aspen, although dedicated shuttle services in the area should have contingency plans in place.

In fact, you should expect a Denver-Aspen shuttle service to be more reliable in the winter than an Uber. Most of the drivers will be familiar with the roads and weather conditions, and they generally drive SUVs and vans, which are more suitable in the winter. So, while an Uber might work out slightly cheaper, a shuttle will likely be better in the winter.

Pros

  • Shared shuttle will cut down on cost
  • Benefit from local drivers equipped to deal with mountain roads
  • Suitable all year round

Cons

  • Can cost as much per person as an Uber

Taking the Bus from Denver Airport to Aspen

Best for: Budget seekers, individuals or couples

How to book: Greyhound

Traveling by bus is by far the cheapest option but, if you’ve ever done a long journey by bus, you know what you’re paying for. You can’t get a bus directly from Denver Airport to Aspen, so expect a few changes and a travel time of 6 hours or more.

You’ll first need to get from the airport to Union Station, which you can do on the A Line train. There are also buses, but the train is quicker. From Union Station, you’ll get on a bus to Glenwood Springs before changing to Bus L for another 2 hours. However, it drops you into the center of Aspen.

The bus can cost as little as $40 per person, making it a good option for those on a budget. However, buses aren’t for everyone, especially if you’ve got loads of luggage and/or young kids. It’s also the option that involves the most changes, so you’ll need to be relatively alert to know where you’re going. If you can tolerate this kind of journey, though, it’s an ideal way to save some money.

Pros

  • Allows you to see the journey without driving yourself
  • Most budget-friendly option
  • Ideal if you don’t mind changing or long waits

Cons

  • By far the longest journey option

Booking a Private Car Service from Denver Airport to Aspen

Best for: Those wanting to travel in style

How to book: Blue Sky Limo

Hiring a private care is like booking an Uber, but much fancier. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the most expensive option by far – expect to pay anyway from $1,100 to more than $2,000 depending on the vehicle size.

Many of the higher-end hotels, such as The St. Regis or The Little Nell, will likely be able to arrange this service for you. It’ll be worth contacting your hotel directly before trying other options, although they’ll probably add a large markup to the already high price.

Most private car services will be SUVs, meaning they’ll be able to operate all year. As with the shuttle service, expect the drivers to be locals who are familiar with the road conditions, so there shouldn’t be any issue traveling in the winter.

The journey duration will pretty much be the same as driving yourself. Expect pickup directly from the airport and drop off at your hotel. Unsurprisingly, booking online (either with the car provider or via your hotel) is the best option.

Pros

  • Guarantee of private vehicle rather than sharing
  • Can be arranged through your hotel
  • Most luxurious travel option

Cons

  • Easily the most expensive

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of options for how to get from Denver Airport to Aspen, and there’s something for every budget. The best overall option will be to rent a car and drive yourself. However, if you don’t feel confident driving on mountain roads, consider taking a shuttle instead, as this ticks most of the same boxes.

Whatever option you choose, make sure you enjoy your vacation in Aspen without worrying about transport!

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