How to Get from Denver Airport to Boulder

denverairporter

Updated on:

boulder-flatirons

Planning a trip to Boulder and wondering the best way to get there from Denver Airport? I’ve got you covered.

Nestled at the base of the majestic Flatiron Mountains, Boulder, Colorado offers an unrivaled blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and outdoor adventure that attracts people from around the globe at all times of the year.

If you’re planning a trip to Boulder and are not a local, you’re most likely flying into Denver International Airport (DEN), as it’s the best and closest airport option.

The only way to get from Denver International Airport to Boulder is by car, but there are many different ways to do so.

In this guide, I’ll go over all of those options in detail so that you can decide on the best option for you. I’ll discuss cost, pros/cons and how to book each method.

I’ll also throw in some insider tips along the way!

Distance from Denver Airport to Boulder

Boulder, Colorado is approximately 45 miles northwest of Denver International Airport (DEN). The driving distance between the two typically takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, your preferred method of transportation, and the exact start and end points of your trip.

Routes

The drive from Denver to Boulder is pretty straightforward, but if you’re coming from DEN specifically, there are two main routes that you can take. Both involve US-36W into Boulder at the end, but the routes vary slightly at the beginning.

One involves taking a toll road (E470) and the other avoids toll roads.

Route 1 – Toll Road

Tolls can get confusing, but there are two important things to note here if you’re taking the toll road – one, there are no toll booths on the highway, so this isn’t a situation where you need to stop or have exact change, etc. Two, your rental car will already be registered with ExpressToll, which means when and how much you’ll be billed will be dependent on the car agency you choose.

The ExpressToll rate for this particular route is $5.80 one-way, but if you’re renting a car, you’re likely going to pay more.

Check the policies with your rental car agency – some will charge you a daily rate to use the toll roads, while others will charge you the toll amount plus an administrative fee. Some will automatically opt you in to a toll rate plan, while others require you to notify them. Just make sure you check!

Route 2 – No Toll

On the surface, it appears that there’s only a difference of a few minutes or so between the two. However, this is comparing non-traffic times, and I-70 in particular can get brutal at different times during the day.

If a toll doesn’t concern you, it’s usually best to take this route.

The Best Part About the Denver Airport to Boulder Drive

No matter how many times I drive this route, the best part of the drive happens at mile marker 41.6 in Louisville where you drop into Boulder and are met with some spectacular views of the Flatirons and the city.

Boulder scenic overlook stop
Scenic overlook on the approach to Boulder, CO

If you’ve never done this drive, do yourself a favor and pull over for 5 minutes to take it all in. You’ll see a sign “Scenic Overlook” at mile marker 42.6, and you turn off at the next exit.

Denver Airport to Boulder Transportation Options

The only way to get from Denver Airport to Boulder is by car. Whether it’s a shared car, bus or rental car, here’s a rundown of your options.

Rent a Car

How to Book: rentalcars.com

Cost: Expect to pay $100+/day when renting a car from DEN

Renting a car is not for everyone, but if you’re looking to base yourself in Boulder while exploring nearby destinations (i.e. Estes Park or Breckenridge), you’ll probably want to rent a car, as this will give you the most flexibility to explore at your leisure.

Ride Share Service (Uber/Lyft)

How to book: Uber or Lyft app

Cost: Depends on the time/traffic, but expect to pay $60+

Arguably one of the easier and more hassle-free options, you can book an Uber/Lyft from Denver Airport to Boulder.

Skyride Bus

How to Book: RTD MyRide app

Cost: $10.50 and under

A bus is admittedly not normally my preferred option for travel, but the Skyride is great.

The Skyride bus from Denver Airport to Downtown Boulder will take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes and is a super easy and cost-effective way of traveling. Depending on the time of day, buses leave Denver Airport every 30 minutes to an hour, so check the schedule to see how long you’ll have to wait.

The easiest way to buy a ticket is on your phone. Download the RTD MyRide app on your phone and purchase your ticket from there. Simply open the app, go to Buy Tickets and then select the type of fare. A full fare is $10.50, but there are discounted fare options for Seniors ($5.50) and students ($3.20).

Shuttle

How to book: Eightblackairportshuttle.com

Cost: $61 one-way

A shuttle in this case would be a shared van service that picks you up at the airport and drops you off at your destination in Boulder.

The convenience of taking a shuttle from Denver Airport to Boulder falls somewhere between taking an Uber/Lyft and taking the bus.

You have the added advantage of getting dropped off at your exact destination (most times), which you don’t have if you take the bus, but you can’t order it on demand and might need to wait according to the shuttle schedule.

Also, the cost to take an Uber is often less than a shuttle.

Final Thoughts

Getting from Denver Airport to Boulder is easy, and you have lots of options to choose from.

Ultimately, the right choice for you boils down to your budget and what you’ll be doing while there.

Enjoy Boulder!!

Clicky