Planning a visit to Breckenridge, Colorado? When it comes to traveling from Denver Airport to Breckenridge, CO, the best way is to drive, and there are plenty of options to choose from.
Know Before You Go
Distance from Denver to Breckenridge
Denver Airport is 102 miles away from Breckenridge, CO.
Without any traffic or stops, the drive from Denver Airport to Breckenridge will take you 1 hour and 47 minutes.
What is the drive like?
Nothing to fear here if you’re scared of driving in the mountains!
As far as mountain driving is concerned, this drive is relatively easy. You’ll be on a major highway (I-70) the entire time. Unless you deviate, there are no scary mountain passes to get through.
The first half of the drive is pretty uneventful – it’s just standard highway city driving through Denver.
The second half of the drive is where it gets more interesting.
You’ll travel up through the mountains and take in all the scenery that comes with it. You’ll also pass through Eisenhower Tunnel.
Transportation Options
There are plenty of ways to get from Denver Airport to Breckenridge, CO, and all of them are relatively easy.
Before deciding on what’s best for you, think about what you plan on doing while you’re in Breckenridge. Are you planning to stay there exclusively, or do you want to explore nearby destinations (i.e. Vail)?
If you don’t plan on moving around, a shuttle, rideshare or bus will be your best bet.
But if Breckenridge is just one of your stops, a rental car is probably best.
Option 1: Rent a Car and Drive
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: rentalcars.com
Renting a car at DEN and driving to Breckenridge is easy. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off.
The drive will take you just under 2 hours without stops or traffic. Add about 45 minutes to account for the time between landing and picking up your car.
If you’re planning to visit in the winter, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Ski traffic is real, especially on the weekends. If you’re making the drive on a Friday afternoon or evening or on a Saturday, expect to be caught up in ski traffic. It may add an hour to your drive overall.
- Make sure you book an AWD/4WD drive car. You will be driving through the mountains and winter conditions.
- Make sure you book a vehicle that has space for all your belongings, especially if you have skis, equipment, etc.
Routes
There really is only one route to consider for the drive between Denver Airport and Breckenridge, and it’s 102 miles along I-70 and CO-9.
Costs
If you’re renting the car from a vendor at Denver International Airport, expect to pay a minimum of $100+ per day for the car itself.
Plus, renting a car means you’ll have to pay for parking at your hotel ($50+/night) on top of the rental car fees.
Pros
- Plenty of flexibility over itinerary.
- Easy to pick up from the airport.
- Great if your plan is to explore nearby destinations.
Cons
- Costs can quickly build up.
- There are better solutions if you don’t plan on leaving Breckenridge.
Option 2: Book a Shuttle
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: https://www.epicmountainexpress.com/
One of the most convenient ways to travel between Denver Airport and Breckenridge is via shared shuttle. Shared shuttles are door to door service. You’re picked up at Denver Airport, and you’ll get dropped off at your hotel, residence, Airbnb, etc.
Shared mountain shuttles are easy to book, and there’s little to do beyond booking and showing up.
They’re also a great option if you plan on staying in Breckenridge the whole time, making a rental car unnecessary.
Shared shuttles aren’t cheap, though. A one-way fare between DEN and Breck starts can run anywhere from $59 – $149 per person, depending on the time of year, so costs can add up quickly if there’s multiple travelers in your party.
One of the drawbacks to a shared shuttle is being on a shared schedule. There are 6 departures per day between Denver Airport and Vail, so depending on your flight’s arrival time, you may have to wait a bit once you land.
One thing to keep in mind – the last shuttle to leave DEN during the winter is at 6:30pm, so if your flight arrives later than that, plan on one of the other options recommended here.
Pros
- Easy to pick up from the airport.
- Let someone else do the driving.
- Economical for smaller parties.
Cons
- Departure times are limited.
- Costs can quickly build up if there are multiple people in your group.
Option 3: Take a Bus
Suitable for: Those on a tight budget
How to book: https://ridebustang.com/bustang/#west_line
There isn’t a bus that goes directly from Denver Airport to Breckenridge, but you can catch the Bustang from Denver’s Union Station.
To do that, you’ll need to take the A-line train to Union Station and then catch the Bustang West Line to Frisco from there.
Depending on the time of year, there are 15 daily departures from Union Station to Breckenridge (Frisco station), so unlike other destinations that only have 1 Bustang per day (i.e. Telluride), the Bustang to Breckenridge offers several times and options.
Once you’re on the Bustang, it’s only a 1 hour and 45-minute ride to Frisco.
It will cost you $17 for a single ride from Denver to ride, and there are some discounted options for seniors and students. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll also have to pay for the Denver Airport to Union Station train, which is an additional $10.50.
One thing to note is that the bus from Denver will take you to Frisco, not Breckenridge directly. Frisco is about 15 minutes outside of Breckenridge.
Once you get to Frisco, you can jump on another bus (Summit Stage), which leaves 1-2x per hour and will take another 15 minutes. The bus will cost $2. The alternative will be to take a cab or Uber, which can add another $30 to your trip.
While traveling by bus between Denver and Breckenridge is by far the most affordable option, it’ll take the longest, but it’s a great choice if you’re on a limited budget.
- The most affordable option.
- Aside from stops, buses can be easy.
- Let someone else do the driving.
- Takes the longest.
Option 4: Take a Rideshare
Suitable for: Everyone
How to book: Uber app or Lyft app
A millennial favorite is a great option for getting between Denver Airport and Breckenridge.
It’s also easy.
Prices for an Uber or Lyft will vary depending on the size of the vehicle you need and time of day/traffic conditions, but you should expect to spend between $100-$200 per ride.
The benefits of booking a rideshare over a shuttle are obvious. You can book it at the airport when needed (and not be subject to a wait schedule), and the costs are going to be relatively the same or cheaper if you have 2 or more people in your party.
Your main problem will be driver availability. It’s not a long journey, but out-of-town trips typically have fewer drivers pick them up. You might also have to deal with longer travel times and limited luggage space depending on the driver’s vehicle.
Pros
- Easy to arrange.
- Can be fairly cheap.
- Can be ordered on demand.
- Potentially limited driver availability.
- You won’t have your own car in Breckenridge.
Final Thoughts
Getting from Denver Airport to Breckenridge is easy, and there are lots of ways to do it.
Ultimately, it boils down to your trip itinerary. what you plan on doing once you’re there. If you’re going to stay in Breck the whole time, take an Uber or a shuttle. If you want to explore nearby destinations, rent a car.
Whatever you decide, enjoy your time in Breckenridge!
