How to Get from Denver Airport to Steamboat Springs (Options, Routes, Costs and More)
Looking to get to Steamboat Springs, CO from Denver Airport? When it comes to traveling between these two points, there are plenty of transportation options. You can fly, drive, or 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 Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter or summer, there are plenty of reasons to visit this world-class destination.
Skiing and hot springs are just the start of activities you can do here. There’s also top-rated restaurants, a variety of outdoor activities, and plenty of vacation rentals, hotels and spas.
So, how do you get to Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs, CO is 177 miles from Denver Airport, and it’ll take you just over 3 hours (without traffic) to drive there.
As far as mountain drives go, this one is moderately challenging. It’s a route along I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel, then Highway 9 to Kremmling, and finally Highway 40 through Rabbit Ears Pass to Steamboat Springs.
The drive goes through mountainous terrain, including Rabbit Ears Pass at 9,426 feet elevation, so expect winter driving conditions and be prepared with appropriate equipment during the colder months.
A Note on the Driving Conditions
I am terrified of scary mountain passes, so I have to throw my two cents in about the driving conditions here.
If you’re a nervous mountain driver, don’t be. This is the type of drive where you’ll be fine as long as you’re cautious. Yes, there is a mountain pass to get through (Rabbit Ears Pass), but it’s not one of those scary passes with narrow lanes and dicey twists and turns.
I’ve driven from Denver to Steamboat through a snowstorm, and even that didn’t give me pause to do it again.
What I wouldn’t do again is drive to Steamboat at night and alone. The roads can get very dark, and the cell service gets very spotty once you hit Highway 9 and continue to Highway 40.
Should you Drive or Fly?
Steamboat Springs does not have its own commercial airport, but Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) is 22 miles from Steamboat Springs and has commercial flights from multiple destinations.
My thought on choosing to fly or drive between Denver and Steamboat Springs is this — if you can fly directly from your destination into HDN, do it. If flying requires that you connect through DEN, just drive via a rental car or shuttle. When you account for waiting for the connecting flight, flight time, plus the shuttle time from HDN to Steamboat Springs, there isn’t much of a time savings.
Transportation Options
Option 1: Rent a Car and Drive
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: rentalcars.com
Renting a car at DEN and driving to Steamboat Springs is relatively straightforward. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off.
The drive will take you about 3 hours from Denver Airport without stops or traffic. Add about 45 minutes to account for the time between landing and picking up your car.
Routes
The main route to Steamboat Springs is 156 miles and involves:
- I-70 West to Silverthorne (Exit 205) – 67 miles
- Highway 9 North to Kremmling – 37 miles
- Highway 40 West to Steamboat Springs – 53 miles
Costs
If you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll need an AWD/4WD car, snow tires or chains. Expect to pay a minimum of $100+ per day.
Renting a car is a great option if you plan on exploring nearby destinations around Steamboat Springs (Winter Park, Hot Sulphur Springs, Craig, etc.) You’ll need the car to get between these destinations.
However, if your only destination is Steamboat Springs, and you plan on staying there the entire time, renting a car might not be the most practical or economical option. The town of Steamboat Springs has a free public bus system, and getting around within town is manageable on foot or by bike.
Plus, renting a car means you’ll have to pay for parking at your hotel ($30-50+/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.
- Mountain driving through Rabbit Ears Pass requires winter preparation.
- There are better solutions if you don’t plan on leaving Steamboat Springs.
Option 2: Fly
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: Airline websites or travel booking sites
Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) is the closest airport to Steamboat Springs, CO, and flying between DEN and HDN is easy.
If you’re flying to HDN through DEN, you’ll be doing this with United Airlines or Southwest Airlines, both offering daily service year-round. There are multiple daily flights, with more during busy ski season.
However, many other airlines also fly directly into HDN seasonally:
- Alaska Airlines
- Seasonal flights from Seattle (SEA) and Los Angeles (LAX)
- American Airlines
- Daily year-round from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Seasonal from Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Phoenix (PHX)
- Delta Airlines
- Seasonal from Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX), and Detroit (DTW)
- JetBlue Airways
- Seasonal from Boston (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), and New York (JFK)
If you’re coming from any of the above destinations, I highly suggest looking into flying into HDN directly instead of connecting through DEN. Flights may be a bit more expensive than DEN, but you’ll save a bunch of valuable time.
Of course, there is still the issue of getting from HDN to Steamboat Springs itself. It’s about a 30-minute drive, and you can either take a shared shuttle or book a rideshare.
Pros
- Most convenient option, most of the time.
- Can be cheaper than driving.
- Avoids mountain driving.
Cons
- Not door to door – you’ll still have to get from HDN to your final destination.
- Seasonal flights may have limited schedules.
Option 3: Book a Shuttle
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: Steamboat Express (letsride.co) or Storm Mountain Express (stormmountainexpress.com)
One of the most popular ways to travel between Denver Airport and Steamboat Springs is via shared shuttle. Shared shuttles are door-to-door service between DEN and your final destination in Steamboat Springs. 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 Steamboat Springs the whole time (so you don’t need a car), and if flying into HDN isn’t a viable option.
A one-way fare between DEN starts around $113, so the costs can add up if there are multiple travelers in your party.
One of the drawbacks to a shared shuttle is being on a shared schedule. Companies like Steamboat Express typically offer one shared ride per day between Denver Airport and Steamboat Springs, so depending on your flight’s arrival time, you may have to wait or book private transportation.
Pros
- Easy to pick up from the airport.
- Let someone else do the driving.
- Economical for smaller parties.
- Professional drivers experienced with mountain conditions.
Cons
- Departure times are very limited.
- Costs can quickly build up if there are multiple people in your group.
Option 4: Rideshare Apps
Suitable for: Everyone
How to book: Uber app or Lyft app
Yes, you can take an Uber or Lyft from Denver International Airport to Steamboat Springs!
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 $200-$400.
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 3 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 a long journey through mountain terrain, and 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 affordable for larger groups.
- Can be ordered on demand.
Cons
- Potentially very limited driver availability.
- You won’t have your own car in Steamboat Springs.
- May encounter drivers unfamiliar with mountain driving conditions.
Option 5: Take a Bus
Suitable for: Those on a tight budget
How to book: ridebustang.com
There isn’t a bus that goes directly from Denver Airport to Steamboat Springs, but you can catch the Bustang from Denver’s Union Station to Steamboat Springs.
To do that, you’ll need to take the A-line train from DEN to Union Station and then catch the Bustang from there.
The Craig-Denver route stops in Steamboat Springs with one daily departure from Union Station at 3:15pm. This route operates year-round, unlike the seasonal Snowstang service that only runs during ski season.
Since there’s only one departure per day, you’ll need to plan your arrival at DEN carefully to make the 3:15pm bus departure from Union Station.
Once you’re on the Bustang, it’s about a 4-hour ride to Steamboat Springs with stops in Winter Park, Granby, and Kremmling.
A single ride from Denver Union Station to Steamboat Springs costs around $30-40, plus you’ll need to pay for the Denver Airport to Union Station train, which is an additional $10.50.
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 and don’t mind the extra travel time.
Pros
- The most affordable option.
- Scenic route through the mountains.
- Let someone else do the driving.
- Reliable year-round service.
Cons
- Takes the longest (5+ hours total).
- Requires transfer from airport to Union Station.
- Limited departure times.
Final Thoughts
Traveling between Denver Airport and Steamboat Springs is manageable, 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 Steamboat Springs the whole time, fly into HDN or take a shuttle. If you want to explore nearby destinations or have the flexibility to ski multiple resorts, rent a car.
Whatever you decide, enjoy Steamboat Springs!
