4 ways to get from denver airport to estes park

denverairporter

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Heading to Estes Park, CO and wondering the best way to get there from Denver Airport? The only way to get there is by driving, however there are plenty of ways to do so. This guide will cover each of your options in detail, from pros and cons of each to how to book.

Estes Park is one of the most popular leisure destinations in Colorado, particularly in the busy summer months. It’s not only a picturesque mountain town – it’s also the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, making it an ideal spot for those interested in hiking, beautiful scenery and other outdoor-related activities.  

Estes Park doesn’t have an airport, so unless you’re driving there directly from your home, you will need to fly into Denver Airport (DEN), which is the closest – and best – option for flights.

Luckily, it’s not too difficult to get from Denver Airport to Estes Park, and there are lots of different ways to do it that accommodate all types of budgets.

In this article, I will cover the many transportation options from DEN to Estes Park, including pros/cons for each. I’ll discuss the most popular routes, notable stops (i.e. where you can find the famous Estes Park Sign), estimated costs, and how to book each option.

If you’re looking for the best ways to get from Denver Airport to Estes Park, I have you covered!

Know Before You Go

Before setting off, here are a few things to keep in mind as you plan your journey.

Distance from Denver Airport to Estes Park

The only way to get from Denver Airport to Estes Park is by car.

The journey is between 75 and 95 miles and will take an hour and a half to just over two hours, depending on which route you take.

Driving Conditions from Denver Airport to Estes Park

Whether you’re a Colorado local or an out-of-towner, driving conditions are always something to consider when exploring this great state.

Weather, of course, is top of mind, and is always something you should check before setting out on your journey. It’s not abnormal for the weather to be totally different at Denver Airport than it is in Estes Park!

Road closures and construction delays are another thing to be on the lookout for. Most apps will alert you of these on your journey. CDOT is a great resource to check on for this.

There are also quite a few scary roads and mountain passes throughout Colorado that you will definitely want to avoid if you’re a nervous driver. This is something I personally am very aware of and will never recommend one of these without proper warning.

Luckily, the roads from Denver Airport to Estes Park are very easy to drive, so none of them fall into this “scary” category!

Traffic

Like any popular mountain destination, traffic can be an issue, especially during busy season (Summer and Fall). Sometimes this can’t be helped, but you can mitigate this by avoiding weekends and mid-day travel times.

Transportation Options

The only way to get to Estes Park from Denver Airport is by car, but there are lots of options for doing so.

Option 1: Rent a Car

Suitable for: Everyone

How to Book: rentalcars.com

Renting a car is probably the most convenient option and is easily my favorite way to get to Estes Park from Denver Airport. You have all the usual options (Hertz, Enterprise, etc.), and it’s super easy to rent a car at DEN. Prices vary, but expect to pay at least $100 a day depending on the car size.

Hot tip – while renting a car from DEN is definitely the most convenient option, it’s also the most expensive rental car option. Consider taking the airport train to downtown Denver and picking up a rental car from downtown. It’ll cost you some time, but you’ll save quite a bit of money.

Unless you’re driving in the winter, it’s not necessary to book an AWD/4WD car.

The obvious benefit of renting a car is that you have complete flexibility over how you explore Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. You can stop as much as you want (helpful when you have kids) and you can plan your trip at your pace.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to renting a car. The costs can pile up if you’re going for a longer trip, although this is probably outweighed by the sheer convenience. You also have to factor in additional costs, such as parking fees, gas, insurance, etc. Many hotels in Estes Park offer free parking for guests, though, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

Pros

  • The most convenient option.
  • Plenty of flexibility over itinerary.
  • Easy to pick up from the airport.

Cons

  • Costs can quickly build up.

Option 2: Ride-Sharing Services

Suitable for: Everyone

How to book: Uber app or Lyft app

Ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, operate at Denver Airport and can transport you to Estes Park. If you’ve already downloaded the company’s app, it’s super simple to book a ride once you’re at the airport. Prices will vary depending on the size of the vehicle you need, but you should expect to pay at least $100.

There isn’t much that needs to be said about using ride-sharing services, as we’ve likely all done it. The benefits over using a shuttle service are that you can book it at the airport when needed (and not be subject to a wait schedule), and you won’t have to share with strangers. While this isn’t a massive issue, it’s fair to want to travel in privacy.

The drawbacks of using Uber or Lyft should be fairly obvious. 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.

And, unsurprisingly, it also means you won’t have your own vehicle when you’re in Estes Park.

Pros

  • Easy to arrange.
  • Can be fairly cheap.
  • More privacy than a shuttle.

Cons

  • Potentially limited driver availability.
  • You won’t have your own car in Estes Park.

Option 3: Take a Shuttle

Suitable for: Some

How to book: Estes Park Shuttle website

If you just need to get to Estes Park but aren’t comfortable with the idea of using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, consider booking a shuttle.

Shuttle services won’t be suitable for everyone, but they can be a good way to save money, especially for smaller parties. It’s also an ideal option if you’re meeting up with a larger group in Estes Park and are just looking for an easy way to get there.

Shared shuttles are also ideal for people who might not want to drive unfamiliar routes themselves.

Essentially, a shuttle service from Denver Airport boils down to you jumping in a car or small van (potentially shared with others) that drives you to your hotel.

There are a few options for shuttles, and you can book these directly from the airport’s website, the company’s website, or your hotel might be able to help you arrange it. We’ve also noted a shuttle vendor above.

Expect to pay around $75 one-way and $125 for a round trip (per person).

The biggest downside of using a shuttle service is that you won’t have a vehicle once you get to Estes Park. You therefore won’t be able to explore the Rockies in the same way as you would with your own car. That being said, if you have a ride once you get there (i.e. you are meeting a group), this isn’t an issue.

It’s recommended that you book shuttles in advance (at least one week), so this probably isn’t the best option for those looking to book something at the last minute.

Lastly, you might be subject to waiting times and limited schedules depending on the time of the year. Expect services to be reduced in the off-season.

Pros

  • Easy to book.
  • You don’t need to be able to drive.
  • Helpful for keeping the cost down.

Cons

  • Limited flexibility.

Option 4: Bus

Suitable for: Those on a tight budget

How to book: https://ridebustang.com/estes-park/

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

The Bustang is a seasonal service that travels from Denver’s Union Station to Estes Park on weekends and holidays only. It runs from May 27 – Oct 1, 2023 only, so this isn’t an option if you’re visiting Estes Park in the winter or spring.

It’s important to note that the Bustang departs from Union Station and NOT Denver Airport, so you’ll want to take the A-line train to Union Station and then catch the Bustang from there.

It’s also important to note that the Bustang only leaves early in the morning, so it’s not an option for same-day arrivals at Denver Airport. If you’re already planning on spending a night in Denver, though, this is a good option.

It will cost you $15 for a round-trip fare, 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.

While this is the most affordable option on paper, it’s arguably also the least convenient if you want to get to Estes Park ASAP. It’ll take the longest and it only leaves early in the morning (7am and 8am), so it’s only an option if you plan on staying the night in Denver.

Pros

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

Cons

  • Inconvenient.
  • Need to stay the night in Denver.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of options for traveling from Denver Airport to Estes Park. The most convenient is probably renting a car, as you’ll have flexibility during your trip. However, there are lots of different options, and ultimately, the option you choose is largely going to depend on what you plan on doing when you get there.

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