How to Get from Denver Airport to Copper Mountain (Options, Routes, Costs + More)

Looking to get to Copper Mountain, CO from Denver International Airport? When it comes to traveling between these two points, there are plenty of transportation options. You can drive, take a shuttle, bus or rideshare. This guide will discuss your options in detail, plus the pros and cons for each.

Whether you’re visiting Copper Mountain, Colorado in the winter or summer, there are plenty of reasons to visit this fantastic destination. World-class skiing and snowboarding are just the start of activities you can do here. There’s also excellent mountain biking, hiking trails, family-friendly activities, and a laid-back mountain atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxation.

So, how do you get to Copper Mountain from Denver Airport? Luckily it’s pretty easy, and there are plenty of ways to do it.

Know Before You Go

Distance from Denver to Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain, CO is 75 miles from Denver Airport, and it’ll take you roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes (without traffic) to drive there.

As far as mountain drives go, this one is pretty easy. It’s just a straight shot along I-70 – which is a major highway – through the mountains.

If the prospect of mountain driving scares you, don’t be scared of this drive. Yes, it goes through the mountains, but it’s free of terrifying mountain passes.

What is the drive like?

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 the famous Eisenhower Tunnel.

Transportation Options

There are plenty of ways to get from Denver Airport to Copper Mountain, 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 Copper Mountain. Are you planning to stay there exclusively, or do you want to explore nearby destinations (i.e. Vail or Breckenridge)?

If you don’t plan on moving around, a shuttle, rideshare or bus will be your best bet.

But if Copper Mountain 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: I prefer to book online using rentalcars.com because it gives you the best prices for all of the providers at DEN.

Renting a car at DEN and driving to Copper Mountain is easy. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off. (If you need more information, check out my Guide to Renting a Car at Denver Airport).

The drive will take you about 1.5 hours from Denver Airport 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 will add at least 30-45 minutes 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. A lot of the rental cars will have ski racks as an option.

Routes

There really is only one route to consider for the drive between Denver Airport and Copper Mountain, and it’s 75 miles along I-70 to Exit 195.

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.

Renting a car is a great option if you plan on exploring nearby destinations around Copper Mountain (Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, etc.) You’ll need the car to get between these destinations.

However, if your only destination is Copper Mountain, and you plan on staying there the entire time, renting a car might not be the most practical or economical option. Copper Mountain has a good shuttle system and most amenities are within walking distance of the base area.

Plus, renting a car means you’ll have to pay for parking at your hotel, which can add up.

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 Copper Mountain.

Option 2: Book a Shuttle

Suitable for: Everyone

How to Book: epicmountainexpress.com

One of my favorite ways to travel between Denver Airport and Copper Mountain, CO is via shared shuttle. Shared shuttles are door to door service between DEN and your final destination in Copper Mountain. They’ll drop you 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 Copper Mountain the whole time (so you don’t need a car), and they’re perfect for getting you and your ski gear to the mountain safely.

A one-way fare between DEN and Copper Mountain starts at $69 (it can get all the way up to $159 per person), so the costs can add up if there’s multiple travelers in your party.

Of course, one of the drawbacks to a shared shuttle is being on a shared schedule. There are 6 departures per day between Denver Airport and Copper Mountain, 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: ridebustang.com/bustang/#west_line

There isn’t a bus that goes directly from Denver Airport to Copper Mountain, but you can catch the Bustang from Denver’s Union Station to Frisco.

To do that, you’ll need to take the A-line train to Union Station and then catch the Bustang West Line from there.

There are multiple daily departures from Union Station to Frisco, so you’ll have several time options throughout the day.

Once you’re on the Bustang, it’s about a 1 hour and 45-minute ride to Frisco.

It will cost you $17 for a single ride from Denver to Frisco, 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.

One thing to note is that the bus from Denver will take you to Frisco, not Copper Mountain directly. Frisco is about 10 minutes from Copper Mountain.

Once you get to Frisco, you can jump on the Summit Stage (free local bus service), which runs regularly between Frisco and Copper Mountain. The alternative will be to take a cab or Uber, which can add another $25-35 to your trip.

While this 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.

Pros

• The most affordable option.
• Aside from stops, buses can be easy.
• Let someone else do the driving.

Cons

• Takes the longest.
• Requires multiple transfers.

Option 4: Take a Rideshare

Suitable for: Everyone

How to book: Uber app or Lyft app

Yes, you can take an Uber or Lyft from Denver International Airport to Copper Mountain!

And it’s pretty easy.

If you’ve already downloaded a rideshare app, it’s simple to book a ride once you’re at the airport. Prices will vary depending on the size of the vehicle you need and time of day/traffic conditions, but you should expect to spend between $120-$220.

The benefits over using a shuttle are that 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.

There are a few drawbacks to booking a rideshare, but 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.

Cons

• Potentially limited driver availability.
• You won’t have your own car in Copper Mountain.

See related: How to catch an Uber or Lyft at Denver Airport

Final Thoughts

Traveling between Denver Airport and Copper Mountain is easy, and there are lots of ways to do it.

Ultimately, it boils down to what you plan on doing once you’re there. If you’re going to stay in Copper Mountain the whole time, fly or take a shuttle. If you want to explore nearby destinations, rent a car.

Whatever you decide, enjoy Copper Mountain!