Looking to get to Vail, CO from Denver International 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 Vail, Colorado in the winter or summer, there are plenty of reasons to visit this world-class destination.
Colorado has a lot of epic destinations to visit, and there’s a reason why Vail is usually near the top of the list.
Skiing and hiking are just the start of activities you can do here. There’s also top-rated restaurants, a variety of outdoor activities, and luxury hotels and spas.
So, how do you get to Vail 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 Vail
Vail, CO is 118 miles from Denver Airport, and it’ll take you just under 2.5 hours (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.
Should you Drive or Fly?
Vail, CO does not have its own airport, but Eagle County Airport (EGE) is 35 miles from Vail on the other side of I-70 (so, farther from DEN) and has a ton of commercial flights per day from lots of destinations. My thought on choosing to fly or drive between Denver and Vail is this – if you can fly directly from your destination into EGE, 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 EGE to Vail, 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 Vail is relatively easy. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off.
The drive will take you about 2.5 hours from Denver Airport without stops or traffic. Add about 45 minutes to account for the time between landing and picking up your car.
Routes
There really is only one route to consider for the drive between Denver Airport and Vail, and it’s 118 miles along I-70.
Costs
If you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll need an AWD/4WD car. Expect to pay a minimum of $100+ per day.
Renting a car is a great option if you plan on exploring nearby destinations around Vail (Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, etc.) You’ll need the car to get between these destinations.
However, if your only destination is Vail, and you plan on staying there the entire time, renting a car might not be the most practical or economical option. The town of Vail isn’t large, and getting around within Vail is easy. There are several free shuttles from hotels that go into each of the villages and pick up + drop off frequently.
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 Vail.
Option 2: Fly
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: expedia.com
Eagle County Airport (EGE) is the closest airport to Vail, CO, and flying between DEN and EGE is easy.
If you’re flying to EGE through DEN, you’ll be doing this with United Airlines, which offers daily service year-round. There are a minimum of 3 daily flights, but often more during busy times.
However, many other airlines also fly directly into EGE:
- Alaska Airlines
- Seasonal, from Seattle (SEA) and San Diego (SAN)
- American Airlines
- Daily year-round from Dallas/FT Worth (DTW)
- Seasonal from Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Phoenix (PHX)
- Delta Airlines
- Seasonal from Atlanta (ATL) and Los Angeles (LAX)
If you’re coming from any of the above destinations, I highly suggest looking into flying into EGE 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 EGE to Vail itself. It’s just over 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.
Cons
- Not door to door – you’ll still have to get from EGE to your final destination.
Option 3: Book a Shuttle
Suitable for: Everyone
How to Book: epicmountainexpress.com
One of my favorite ways to travel between Denver Airport and Vail, CO is via shared shuttle. Shared shuttles are door to door service between DEN and your final destination in Vail. 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 Vail the whole time (so you don’t need a car), and if flying into EGE isn’t a viable option.
A one-way fare between DEN starts at $79 (it can get all the way up to $169 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 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 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 Vail!
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 $150-$300.
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.
- Potentially limited driver availability.
- You won’t have your own car in Vail.
Option 5: 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 Vail, but you can catch the Bustang from Denver’s Union Station to Vail.
To do that, you’ll need to take the A-line train to Union Station and then catch the Bustang from there.
There are 9 daily departures from Union Station to Vail, so unlike other destinations that only have 1 Bustang per day (i.e. Telluride), the Bustang to Vail offers several times and options.
Once you’re on the Bustang, it’s only a 2 hour and 20-minute ride to Vail.
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.
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.
- The most affordable option.
- Aside from stops, buses can be easy.
- Let someone else do the driving.
- Takes the longest.
Final Thoughts
Traveling between Denver Airport and Vail 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 Vail the whole time, fly or take a shuttle. If you want to explore nearby destinations, rent a car.
Whatever you decide, enjoy Vail!
