How to Get from Denver Airport to Winter Park

Looking to get to Winter Park, Colorado from Denver Airport? When it comes to traveling between these two points, there are several transportation options. You can drive, take a train, shuttle, or rideshare. This guide will discuss your options in detail, plus the pros and cons for each.

Whether you’re visiting Winter Park, Colorado in the winter or summer, there are plenty of reasons to visit this world-class destination.

Skiing and snowboarding are just the start of activities you can do here. There’s also mountain biking, hiking, scenic gondola rides, alpine slides, and a charming downtown area with great restaurants and shops.

So, how do you get to Winter Park from Denver Airport? It’s pretty straightforward, and there are several ways to do it.

Know Before You Go

Distance from Denver to Winter Park

Winter Park, Colorado is 66 miles from downtown Denver, but about 90 miles from Denver Airport, and it’ll take you about 2 hours (without traffic) to drive there.

The drive is a scenic mountain route that takes you through the Colorado Rockies. You’ll travel west on I-70, then north on Highway 40 through the historic town of Empire and over Berthoud Pass, which sits at 11,307 feet elevation.

Winter driving conditions are common on this route, especially over Berthoud Pass, so be prepared with appropriate equipment and check road conditions, especially during ski season.

About Berthoud Pass

Berthoud Pass, at 11,307 feet elevation, is the mountain pass you’ll need to cross to reach Winter Park by car.

While it’s certainly doable (and I have driven this pass many times), it’s not the most enjoyable pass to drive compared to other Colorado ski resort routes. The road can be narrow and winding, with steep grades and limited guardrails in some sections.

Weather conditions can change quickly at this elevation, and the pass can be particularly challenging during storms or when visibility is poor. For this reason, many consider Winter Park to be one of the trickier drives among all the major Colorado ski resort towns.

If mountain driving makes you nervous, the Winter Park Express train becomes an even more appealing option.

Should you Drive or Take the Train?

Winter Park is unique among Colorado ski resorts because it has excellent train access.

The Winter Park Express runs seasonally from Denver’s Union Station directly to the base of Winter Park Resort. My thought on choosing to drive or take the train is this — if you want the most convenient and scenic experience without worrying about mountain driving, take the train. If you need a car to explore the area or want maximum flexibility, driving is the way to go.

Transportation Options

Option 1: Take the Winter Park Express Train

Suitable for: Everyone, especially those who want to avoid mountain driving

How to Book: amtrak.com/WinterParkExpress or Amtrak app

The Winter Park Express is one of the most unique and enjoyable ways to get to Winter Park. This seasonal train runs directly from Denver’s Union Station to the base of Winter Park Resort.

Schedule (2025 Season):

• Holiday Service: December 20-22, December 27-29, and January 3-5 (Friday-Sunday)
• Regular Season: January 9 – March 31 (Thursday-Monday, 5 days per week)
• Departure: 7:00 AM from Denver Union Station
• Arrival: 9:11 AM at Winter Park Resort, 9:41 AM at Fraser-Winter Park
• Return: Departs Winter Park Resort at 4:35 PM, arrives Denver at 7:05 PM

Fares range from $19-$39 one-way, with children 2-12 receiving 50% off. These prices are 43% lower than in previous years.

The train features panoramic windows, a bi-level Sightseer Lounge, and carries skis and snowboards at no extra charge. You can purchase snacks and beverages onboard, and the journey takes you through 30 tunnels, including the famous 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel through the Continental Divide.

To get to Union Station from DEN, take the A-Line train.

Pros

• Most scenic and relaxing option
• No mountain driving required
• Drops you off 100 feet from ski lifts
• Very affordable, especially for families
• Skis and snowboards transported free
• Historic and unique experience

Cons

• Seasonal service only (December-March)
• Limited to 5 days per week during regular season
• Fixed departure and return times
• You won’t have a car in Winter Park

Option 2: Rent a Car and Drive

Suitable for: Everyone, especially those wanting flexibility

How to Book: rentalcars.com

Renting a car at DEN and driving to Winter Park is a popular option. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off on a beautiful mountain drive.

The drive will take you about 2 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 Winter Park is 90 miles:

• I-70 West to Exit 232 (Empire/Highway 40)
• Highway 40 North through Empire and over Berthoud Pass
• Continue on Highway 40 into Winter Park

This route takes you over Berthoud Pass at 11,307 feet elevation, which can be challenging in winter conditions.

Costs

If you’re traveling in the winter, you’ll need an AWD/4WD car or chains. Expect to pay around $50-100+ per day depending on the season and vehicle type.

Renting a car is great if you plan on exploring the area beyond Winter Park (Fraser, Grand Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, etc.) or if you want the freedom to come and go as you please.

However, keep in mind that there are no car rental companies in Winter Park itself, so if you take a shuttle up, you’ll need to rely on local transportation while there.

Pros

• Complete flexibility over schedule
• Can explore surrounding areas
• Scenic mountain drive
• Convenient for groceries and equipment

Cons

• Mountain driving over Berthoud Pass
• Winter weather can cause delays and require winter equipment
• Parking fees at resort (typically $25-35/day)
• More expensive than other options for solo travelers

Option 3: Book a Shuttle

Suitable for: Everyone, especially groups

How to Book: Home James Transportation (ridehj.com)

Home James Transportation has been serving Winter Park since 1982 and is the most popular shuttle service for the route. They offer door-to-door service from Denver International Airport to your Winter Park accommodation.

Shared shuttles run multiple times daily year-round, with up to 20 scheduled departures during busy periods. The journey takes about 2 hours each way.

Costs vary but typically range from $40-80 per person each way. Groups of 3 or more receive $15 off per person each direction, and children under 12 ride for half price.

They also offer private charter services for larger groups that want their own vehicle and schedule.

Pros

• Door-to-door service
• Professional drivers familiar with mountain conditions
• Multiple daily departures
• Group discounts available
• No parking fees to worry about

Cons

• More expensive than train for individuals
• Shared schedule (may need to wait for other passengers)
• Travel time can vary based on pickups and road conditions

Option 4: Rideshare Apps

Suitable for: Those wanting on-demand service

How to book: Uber app or Lyft app

You can take an Uber or Lyft from Denver International Airport to Winter Park, though it’s a long trip for rideshare drivers.

Estimated cost is around $122-150 for the 88-90 mile journey, which takes approximately 2 hours. Prices can vary significantly based on demand, time of day, and weather conditions.

The main challenge is finding drivers willing to make the mountain drive, especially during winter weather conditions. Availability may be limited during peak ski season or bad weather.

Pros

• On-demand service
• Direct transportation
• Good for last-minute travel

Cons

• Expensive for longer distances
• Limited driver availability for mountain trips
• Drivers may not be experienced with mountain/winter conditions
• You won’t have transportation in Winter Park

Option 5: California Zephyr + Shuttle

Suitable for: Train enthusiasts and those wanting a unique experience

How to book: amtrak.com

For a unique alternative, you can take Amtrak’s California Zephyr from Denver Union Station to Fraser (the town next to Winter Park). This daily train departs Denver at 8:00 AM and arrives in Fraser around 10:30 AM.

From Fraser, you can catch “The Lift” (free local bus service) that runs between Fraser and Winter Park every 30 minutes during peak season and hourly in off-season.

The California Zephyr offers the same scenic route as the Winter Park Express but runs year-round. However, it’s designed for long-distance travel, so the cars and service are different from the dedicated ski train.

Pros

• Year-round service
• Same scenic route as Winter Park Express
• Daily departures
• Connects to Winter Park via free local bus

Cons

• Requires transfer to local bus in Fraser
• Not specifically designed for ski passengers
• Limited luggage space for ski equipment
• Takes longer than Winter Park Express

Final Thoughts

Traveling between Denver Airport and Winter Park offers some excellent options, each with distinct advantages.

For the most enjoyable and stress-free experience, the Winter Park Express train is hard to beat – it’s affordable, scenic, and drops you right at the base of the resort. Just keep in mind it only runs during ski season and has a fixed schedule.

If you need flexibility or plan to explore beyond Winter Park, renting a car gives you complete freedom, though you’ll need to be comfortable with mountain driving.

The shuttle services offer a good middle ground – door-to-door convenience without the driving, though at a higher cost than the train.

Whatever option you choose, you’ll arrive at one of Colorado’s most beloved ski resorts and mountain communities. Enjoy Winter Park!