How to Get to Colorado Springs from Denver Airport (Options, Costs, Routes & More)
Looking to get to Colorado Springs from Denver International Airport? When it comes to traveling between these two points, there are several transportation options. You can fly, drive, take a bus, or use rideshare services. This guide will discuss your options in detail, plus the pros and cons for each.
Whether you’re visiting Colorado Springs for business, tourism, or outdoor adventures, there are plenty of reasons to visit the state’s second-largest city.
Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, the Broadmoor, and the U.S. Air Force Academy are just the start of attractions you can experience here. The city also offers Olympic training facilities, historic downtown Manitou Springs, excellent hiking and outdoor recreation, and serves as a gateway to the stunning Colorado Rockies.
So, how do you get to Colorado Springs from Denver Airport? It’s quite straightforward, and there are several ways to do it.
Know Before You Go
Distance from Denver to Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, Colorado is 70 miles from downtown Denver, but about 95 miles from Denver Airport, and it’ll take you about 1 hour and 20 minutes (without traffic) to drive there.
The drive is a straightforward route that takes you south on Interstate 25 through Colorado’s Front Range. This is one of the easier drives in Colorado – no mountain passes, just a pleasant highway journey through the high plains with views of the Rocky Mountains to the west.
The route is generally reliable year-round, though like any highway, it can experience traffic delays during rush hours or due to weather conditions.
Should you Drive or Fly?
Colorado Springs has its own airport – Colorado Springs Airport (COS) – which offers direct flights to and from many major U.S. cities.
My thought on choosing to fly or drive between Denver and Colorado Springs is this — if you can fly directly from your origin city to COS, do it. If flying requires that you connect through DEN, just drive or take another method of transportation.
When you account for waiting for the connecting flight, flight time, plus ground transportation, there isn’t much of a time savings compared to the straightforward drive.
Transportation Options
Option 1: Fly to Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
Suitable for: Those with direct flights from their origin city
How to Book: Airline websites or travel booking sites
Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is about 10 miles southeast of downtown Colorado Springs and offers direct flights from numerous cities across the United States.
Airlines and Direct Destinations:
- Southwest Airlines: Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, San Antonio, San Diego, Cancun (seasonal)
- United Airlines: Denver, Dallas, Houston, Chicago
- American Airlines: Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix
- Delta Airlines: Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis (seasonal)
- Allegiant Airlines: Phoenix, Orange County, Tampa, Baltimore/Washington (starting 2025)
COS is Colorado’s second-busiest airport and offers the convenience of a smaller facility with shorter security lines and easier navigation compared to Denver International Airport.
However, if you’re connecting through Denver anyway, it’s usually not worth booking the additional short flight to Colorado Springs. The drive is often faster when you factor in connection times and airport processes.
Pros
- Direct flights from many major cities
- Smaller, more convenient airport
- No driving required
- Shorter security lines and easier navigation
Cons
- Limited destinations compared to DEN
- Often more expensive than flying into Denver
- Not practical if you have to connect through Denver anyway
- Still need ground transportation to final destination
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 Colorado Springs is the most popular option. You take a short shuttle to the rental car lot, pick up your rental, and you’re off on a straightforward highway drive.
The drive will take you about 1 hour and 20 minutes 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 are two main route options from DEN to Colorado Springs:
Option 1: E-470 Toll Road (Recommended)
- Take Peña Blvd to E-470 South (toll road)
- Continue on E-470 for 23 miles until it connects with I-25
- Take I-25 South to Colorado Springs
Option 2: I-70 to I-25 (Free)
- Take Peña Blvd to I-70 West
- Brief stretch on I-70 to I-225 South
- I-225 South to I-25 South
- I-25 South to Colorado Springs
The toll road option can save time during rush hour but will cost around $10-15 in tolls. Most rental cars use license plate tolling, so fees will be charged to your rental car company (often with additional service fees).
Costs
A standard rental car is perfectly adequate for this drive. Expect to pay around $40-80+ per day depending on the season and vehicle type.
Renting a car is ideal if you plan to explore Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas (Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods, etc.) or if you want complete flexibility during your stay.
Pros
- Complete flexibility and convenience
- Straightforward highway driving
- Essential for exploring the area
- No flight connections required
Cons
- Rental car costs plus potential toll fees
- Parking fees in downtown Colorado Springs
- Traffic possible during rush hours
- Driving fatigue after air travel
Option 3: Take the Bustang
Suitable for: Budget travelers and those without rental car needs
How to Book: ridebustang.com
The Bustang South Line provides regular service between Denver and Colorado Springs, offering a comfortable and affordable alternative to driving.
Schedule and Service:
- Multiple daily departures between Denver Union Station and Colorado Springs
- Journey time: approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Buses run Monday through Sunday
- Cost: Typically $12-20 one-way depending on stops
To get to Union Station from DEN, take the A-Line train for about 40 minutes and $10.50.
Bustang buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining seats, restrooms, and bike racks. The buses are comfortable and clean, making this an excellent budget-friendly option.
Pros
- Most affordable option
- Comfortable amenities (Wi-Fi, power outlets)
- No driving required
- Environmentally friendly choice
- Multiple daily departures
Cons
- Takes longer than driving
- Requires getting to Union Station first
- Limited to bus schedule
- You won’t have transportation once in Colorado Springs
Option 4: Rideshare Apps
Suitable for: Those wanting door-to-door convenience
How to book: Uber app or Lyft app
You can take an Uber or Lyft from Denver International Airport to Colorado Springs, though it’s a significant journey.
Read my guide to catching an Uber or Lyft at Denver Airport here.
Estimated cost ranges from $120-200+ for the 95-mile journey, which takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes under normal conditions. Prices can vary significantly based on demand, time of day, and driver availability.
The main challenge is finding drivers willing to make the long trip to Colorado Springs. Availability may be limited, especially during peak travel times or bad weather.
Pros
- Door-to-door service
- No rental car required
- Good option for groups who can split the cost
Cons
- Expensive, particularly for solo travelers
- Limited driver availability for long trips
- No transportation once you arrive in Colorado Springs
- Prices can surge during high-demand periods
Option 5: Shuttle Services
Suitable for: Those preferring professional service
How to book: Various shuttle companies
Several companies offer shuttle service between Denver International Airport and Colorado Springs, including SuperShuttle, Groome Transportation and other regional providers.
These services typically offer:
- Shared or private shuttle options
- Professional drivers familiar with the route
- Door-to-door service to hotels
- Advanced booking required
Shared shuttle costs typically range from $40-80 per person, while private shuttles cost significantly more but offer the convenience of your own schedule.
Pros
- Professional drivers
- Door-to-door service
- No driving fatigue
- Luggage handling included
Cons
- More expensive than Bustang
- Advance reservations required
- May require waiting for other passengers (shared shuttles)
- Limited schedule flexibility
Final Thoughts
Traveling between Denver Airport and Colorado Springs offers straightforward options, with the best choice depending on your specific needs and circumstances.
If you can fly directly to Colorado Springs Airport from your origin city, that’s often the most convenient option. However, if you need to connect through Denver anyway, driving is typically faster and more economical than taking a connecting flight.
For maximum flexibility and the ability to explore Colorado Springs and surrounding attractions like Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, renting a car provides the best value. The drive is one of the easier routes in Colorado – just straight highway with no mountain passes.
Budget-conscious travelers will appreciate the Bustang bus service, which offers comfortable transportation at a fraction of the cost of other options.
Whatever option you choose, you’ll arrive in one of Colorado’s most beautiful cities, with stunning mountain views and world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. Enjoy Colorado Springs!
