Getting There:
By Air:
Sprawling 53 square miles across the eastern outskirts of the city, Denver International Airport (DIA) (+1 303 342 2000
http://www.flydenver.com) is one of the largest (and 10th busiest) airports in the world housing 89 gates and 21 airlines. It is situated about 25 miles from downtown, depending on where you are going or coming from. It contains the Jeppesen Terminal and three concourses (A, B, C). All concourses access the main terminal via an underground train, which runs approximately every two minutes on a good day. A walking bridge also accesses Concourse A. Restaurants, shops and ATMs abound throughout the airport, and Colorado's second largest display of public art is on exhibit. A business center is located in Concourse B.
The Jeppesen Terminal is comprised of six levels and an east side and west side. Ticketing and check in is on level six. Baggage claim is on level five. Parking is available on both the west and east sides on multiple levels.
PCA Parking (Park 'N Fly)(+1 800 763 6895 /
http://www.pnfnetwork.com)
The majority of ground transportation (+1 303 342 4059) is currently located on the east side level five due to construction on the west side. Here you will find the usual array of hotel shuttles, rental car shuttle buses (all major companies are represented), taxis, limos and commuter vans, along with the mountain carriers that skip the city and head straight for the high country resorts. A taxi ride to downtown takes about 35-45 minutes. Commuter vans like SuperShuttle (+1 800 525 3177/+1 303 370 1300;
http://www.supershuttledenver.com), and BlueSky (+1 303 300 2626
http://www.blueskyshuttle.net) are usually a bit cheaper but may take longer to reach the destination depending on your number in the drop off queue.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) (+1 800 366-7433/+1 303 299 6000;
http://www.rtd-denver.com) provides public transportation in the form of the "luxury" SkyRide, which stops at 29 transfer points across the metro area. The bus leaves about every 15 minutes and can be accessed on level six through door 613 on the east side of the main terminal.
Complete ground transportation information is available at booths in baggage claim on Level 5.
By Train:
Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245
http://www.amtrak.com) has daily service to and from Denver via the California Zephyr to points west (San Francisco/Reno/Salt Lake City) and points east (Omaha/Chicago). The train docks at historic Union Station in the bustling LoDo (lower downtown) district, which is within walking distance to major hotels, restaurants and Coors Field. Union Station has access to numerous bus routes and links with the C Line on RTD's light rail.
By Bus:
Greyhound (+1 303 293 6555
http://www.greyhound.com) arrives and departs to and from various locations across the US and Canada at the central bus station located at 1055 19th Street in downtown.
By Car:
Interstate 25 running north/south and Interstate-70 running east/west intersect just north of downtown and are the major traveling arteries through the city. Although the city's grid street set up is easy to pilot, like many major cities traffic congestion can be a problem. During the peak summer months the roads fill with campers and RVs heading to the hills and in the winter the highways bog with ski traffic. If you are planning on driving south of the city to the DTC vicinity utilizing I-25 beware of the massive highway and light rail expansion aptly known as T-REX (+1 303 786 8739
http://www.trexproject.com/). The project is going to drag out until sometime in 2006. Until then lane and road closures, detours, and slow-downs are routine.
Getting Around: RTD (a.ka. The Ride) is Denver's public transit service and offers a variety of options for hobnobbing around town including regular bus service, light rail and shuttles. City bus service varies widely by route and schedules but is generally available from the wee hours of morning until around midnight. Route 0, which runs north/south on Broadway and Route 15 moving east west on Colfax are the only 24-hour lines. Bus fare is USD1.15; USD.55 for seniors. Regional buses offer service to various mountain towns and Boulder for an extra fee.
If you are simply trying to get from one end of downtown to the other you can hop aboard the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. It slogs a mile from the edge of Civic Center Park to LoDo passing outdoor cafes, theaters and shopping malls, stopping at every intersection (16 in all) along the way. It is not the fastest ride, but it beats walking for many people.
Light rail features two lines. The 13-mile C line (orange) snakes from Union Station in LoDo to the southern suburbs with 12 station stops including Elitch Gardens and the Pepsi Center. The 14-mile D line (green), with 20 stopping stations, wanders through the heart of downtown before following the C line into the depths of the south burbs. Light rail fares are USD1.15 one-way and USD2.30 roundtrip.
Gray Line's Cultural Connection Trolley (+1 800 348-6877/+1 303 289 2841;
http://www.coloradograyline.com) runs daily 8:30am-5:30pm (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and stops at Denver's numerous attractions, including the zoo, Ocean Journey, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Cherry Creek Mall and the Botanic Gardens. A boarding fee is good for 24 hours and allows you to hop on and off at any location along the route. Passes are available on-line and at various hotels and attractions along the route.
Although it is possible to explore the Denver using many forms of transport, like most western cities the car is king (or the SUV in this case). With a good map it is easy to navigate the city and mountain roads, but parking in the downtown vicinity and especially LoDo is difficult and expensive, so if you are headed that direction you might consider public transit or a taxi.
One of the better ways to get around town is by bicycle. Denver is one of the friendliest pedal power environments on the globe, and it has a network of urban and designated street trails that is the envy of many a town. The main segments are the east/west Cherry Creek Trail and north/south Platte River Trail. Both trails meander by popular attractions, and are paved, well lighted, safe and easy enough for the entire family. All of the city buses have bike racks if you plan to venture further a field.
Getting There:
By Air:
Sprawling 53 square miles across the eastern outskirts of the city, Denver International Airport (DIA) (+1 303 342 2000
http://www.flydenver.com) is one of the largest (and 10th busiest) airports in the world housing 89 gates and 21 airlines. It is situated about 25 miles from downtown, depending on where you are going or coming from. It contains the Jeppesen Terminal and three concourses (A, B, C). All concourses access the main terminal via an underground train, which runs approximately every two minutes on a good day. A walking bridge also accesses Concourse A. Restaurants, shops and ATMs abound throughout the airport, and Colorado's second largest display of public art is on exhibit. A business center is located in Concourse B.
The Jeppesen Terminal is comprised of six levels and an east side and west side. Ticketing and check in is on level six. Baggage claim is on level five. Parking is available on both the west and east sides on multiple levels.
PCA Parking (Park 'N Fly)(+1 800 763 6895 /
http://www.pnfnetwork.com)
The majority of ground transportation (+1 303 342 4059) is currently located on the east side level five due to construction on the west side. Here you will find the usual array of hotel shuttles, rental car shuttle buses (all major companies are represented), taxis, limos and commuter vans, along with the mountain carriers that skip the city and head straight for the high country resorts. A taxi ride to downtown takes about 35-45 minutes. Commuter vans like SuperShuttle (+1 800 525 3177/+1 303 370 1300;
http://www.supershuttledenver.com), and BlueSky (+1 303 300 2626
http://www.blueskyshuttle.net) are usually a bit cheaper but may take longer to reach the destination depending on your number in the drop off queue.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) (+1 800 366-7433/+1 303 299 6000;
http://www.rtd-denver.com) provides public transportation in the form of the "luxury" SkyRide, which stops at 29 transfer points across the metro area. The bus leaves about every 15 minutes and can be accessed on level six through door 613 on the east side of the main terminal.
Complete ground transportation information is available at booths in baggage claim on Level 5.
By Train:
Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245
http://www.amtrak.com) has daily service to and from Denver via the California Zephyr to points west (San Francisco/Reno/Salt Lake City) and points east (Omaha/Chicago). The train docks at historic Union Station in the bustling LoDo (lower downtown) district, which is within walking distance to major hotels, restaurants and Coors Field. Union Station has access to numerous bus routes and links with the C Line on RTD's light rail.
By Bus:
Greyhound (+1 303 293 6555
http://www.greyhound.com) arrives and departs to and from various locations across the US and Canada at the central bus station located at 1055 19th Street in downtown.
By Car:
Interstate 25 running north/south and Interstate-70 running east/west intersect just north of downtown and are the major traveling arteries through the city. Although the city's grid street set up is easy to pilot, like many major cities traffic congestion can be a problem. During the peak summer months the roads fill with campers and RVs heading to the hills and in the winter the highways bog with ski traffic. If you are planning on driving south of the city to the DTC vicinity utilizing I-25 beware of the massive highway and light rail expansion aptly known as T-REX (+1 303 786 8739
http://www.trexproject.com/). The project is going to drag out until sometime in 2006. Until then lane and road closures, detours, and slow-downs are routine.
Getting Around: RTD (a.ka. The Ride) is Denver's public transit service and offers a variety of options for hobnobbing around town including regular bus service, light rail and shuttles. City bus service varies widely by route and schedules but is generally available from the wee hours of morning until around midnight. Route 0, which runs north/south on Broadway and Route 15 moving east west on Colfax are the only 24-hour lines. Bus fare is USD1.15; USD.55 for seniors. Regional buses offer service to various mountain towns and Boulder for an extra fee.
If you are simply trying to get from one end of downtown to the other you can hop aboard the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. It slogs a mile from the edge of Civic Center Park to LoDo passing outdoor cafes, theaters and shopping malls, stopping at every intersection (16 in all) along the way. It is not the fastest ride, but it beats walking for many people.
Light rail features two lines. The 13-mile C line (orange) snakes from Union Station in LoDo to the southern suburbs with 12 station stops including Elitch Gardens and the Pepsi Center. The 14-mile D line (green), with 20 stopping stations, wanders through the heart of downtown before following the C line into the depths of the south burbs. Light rail fares are USD1.15 one-way and USD2.30 roundtrip.
Gray Line's Cultural Connection Trolley (+1 800 348-6877/+1 303 289 2841;
http://www.coloradograyline.com) runs daily 8:30am-5:30pm (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and stops at Denver's numerous attractions, including the zoo, Ocean Journey, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Cherry Creek Mall and the Botanic Gardens. A boarding fee is good for 24 hours and allows you to hop on and off at any location along the route. Passes are available on-line and at various hotels and attractions along the route.
Although it is possible to explore the Denver using many forms of transport, like most western cities the car is king (or the SUV in this case). With a good map it is easy to navigate the city and mountain roads, but parking in the downtown vicinity and especially LoDo is difficult and expensive, so if you are headed that direction you might consider public transit or a taxi.
One of the better ways to get around town is by bicycle. Denver is one of the friendliest pedal power environments on the globe, and it has a network of urban and designated street trails that is the envy of many a town. The main segments are the east/west Cherry Creek Trail and north/south Platte River Trail. Both trails meander by popular attractions, and are paved, well lighted, safe and easy enough for the entire family. All of the city buses have bike racks if you plan to venture further a field.
©
NileGuide
more transportation
wcities.com
Getting There
Air
Denver International Airport (DEN)
+1 303 342 2000
http://www.flydenver.com
DEN is located 25 miles from downtown and services the following airlines:
Air Canada (+1 888 247 2262 / http://www.aircanada.com)
American Airlines (+1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com)
British Airways (+1 800 403 0882 / http://www.britishairways.com)
Continental (+1 800 523 3273 / http://www.continental.com)
Delta (+1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com)
Frontier (+1 800 432 1359 / http://www.frontierairlines.com)
jetBlue (+1 800 538 2583 / http://www.jetblue.com)
Lufthansa (+1 800 645 3880 / http://cms.lufthansa.com)
Northwest/KLM (+1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com)
Southwest Airlines (+1 800 435 9792/ http://www.southwest.com)
United Airlines (+1 800 864 8331 / http://www.ual.com)
US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com)
Airport Map & Information: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_den.htm
Airport Services: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_den2.htm
Airport Transportation: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_den3.htm
Airport Parking Service:
PCA Parking (Park 'N Fly) (+1 800 763 6895 / http://www.pnfnetwork.com)
From the Airport
Shuttle:
SuperShuttle (+1 800 525 3177 / +1 303 370 1300/ http://www.supershuttledenver.com)
BlueSky (+1 303 300 2626 / http://www.blueskyshuttle.net)
Bus:
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) (+1 800 366-7433 / +1 303 299 6000; http://www.rtd-denver.com) provides public transportation in the form of the "luxury" SkyRide.
Train
Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245 / http://www.amtrak.com) has daily service to and from Denver via the California Zephyr to points west (San Francisco/ Reno/ Salt Lake City) and points east (Omaha/ Chicago).
Shuttle
CME - Colorado Mountain Express (+1 800 525 6363 / +1 970 926 9800/http://www.ridecme.com/)
Bus
Greyhound (+1 303 293 6555 / http://www.greyhound.com) arrives and departs to and from various locations across the US and Canada at the central bus station located at 1055 19th Street in downtown.
Car
Interstate 25 running north/south and Interstate-70 running east/west intersect just north of downtown and are the major traveling arteries through the city. Although the city's grid street set up is easy to pilot, like many major cities traffic congestion can be a problem. During the peak summer months the roads fill with campers and RVs heading to the hills and in the winter the highways bog with ski traffic. If you are planning on driving south of the city to the DTC vicinity utilizing I-25 beware of the massive highway and light rail expansion aptly known as T-REX (+1 303 786 8739 / http://www.trexproject.com/).
Getting Around
Public Transit
RTD is Denver's public transit service and offers a variety of options for hobnobbing around town including regular bus service, light rail and shuttles.
If you are simply trying to get from one end of downtown to the other you can hop aboard the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. It slogs a mile from the edge of Civic Center Park to LoDo passing outdoor cafes, theaters and shopping malls, stopping at every intersection (16 in all) along the way. It is not the fastest ride, but it beats walking for many people.
Light rail features two lines. The 13-mile C line (orange) snakes from Union Station in LoDo to the southern suburbs with 12 station stops including Elitch Gardens and the Pepsi Center. The 14-mile D line (green), with 20 stopping stations, wanders through the heart of downtown before following the C line into the depths of the south burbs.
Trolley
Gray Line's Cultural Connection Trolley (+1 800 348-6877 / +1 303 289 2841; http://www.coloradograyline.com) runs daily 8:30a-5:30p (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and stops at Denver's numerous attractions, including the zoo, Ocean Journey, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Cherry Creek Mall and the Botanic Gardens. A USD16 boarding fee is good for 24 hours and allows you to hop on and off at any location along the route. Passes are available on-line and at various hotels and attractions along the route.
Car
Although it is possible to explore the Denver using many forms of transport, like most western cities the car is king (or the SUV in this case). With a good map it is easy to navigate the city and mountain roads, but parking in the downtown vicinity and especially LoDo is difficult and expensive, so if you are headed that direction you might consider public transit or a taxi. Denver is served by three taxi companies: Freedom Cab (+1303 444 4444), Yellow Cab (+1 303 777 7777) and MetroTaxi (+1 303 333 3333). In most cases, you have to call them to come get you (hailing is infrequent).
Bike
One of the better ways to get around town is by bicycle. Denver is one of the friendliest pedal power environments on the globe, and it has a network of urban and designated street trails that is the envy of many a town.
The main segments are the east/west Cherry Creek Trail and north/south Platte River Trail. Both trails meander by popular attractions, and are paved, well lighted, safe and easy enough for the entire family. All of the city buses have bike racks if you plan to venture further a field.
Traffic Information
To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com
If traveling overseas, take the safety precaution of registering your trip at https://travelregistration.state.gov and for helpful, practical advice about traveling technicalities and safety standards check out http://travel.state.gov/
Getting There
Air
Denver International Airport (DEN)
+1 303 342 2000
http://www.flydenver.com
DEN is located 25 miles from downtown and services the following airlines:
Air Canada (+1 888 247 2262 / http://www.aircanada.com)
American Airlines (+1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com)
British Airways (+1 800 403 0882 / http://www.britishairways.com)
Continental (+1 800 523 3273 / http://www.continental.com)
Delta (+1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com)
Frontier (+1 800 432 1359 / http://www.frontierairlines.com)
jetBlue (+1 800 538 2583 / http://www.jetblue.com)
Lufthansa (+1 800 645 3880 / http://cms.lufthansa.com)
Northwest/KLM (+1 800 225 2525 / http://www.nwa.com)
Southwest Airlines (+1 800 435 9792/ http://www.southwest.com)
United Airlines (+1 800 864 8331 / http://www.ual.com)
US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com)
Airport Map & Information: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_den.htm
Airport Services: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_den2.htm
Airport Transportation: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_den3.htm
Airport Parking Service:
PCA Parking (Park 'N Fly) (+1 800 763 6895 / http://www.pnfnetwork.com)
From the Airport
Shuttle:
SuperShuttle (+1 800 525 3177 / +1 303 370 1300/ http://www.supershuttledenver.com)
BlueSky (+1 303 300 2626 / http://www.blueskyshuttle.net)
Bus:
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) (+1 800 366-7433 / +1 303 299 6000; http://www.rtd-denver.com) provides public transportation in the form of the "luxury" SkyRide.
Train
Amtrak (+1 800 872 7245 / http://www.amtrak.com) has daily service to and from Denver via the California Zephyr to points west (San Francisco/ Reno/ Salt Lake City) and points east (Omaha/ Chicago).
Shuttle
CME - Colorado Mountain Express (+1 800 525 6363 / +1 970 926 9800/http://www.ridecme.com/)
Bus
Greyhound (+1 303 293 6555 / http://www.greyhound.com) arrives and departs to and from various locations across the US and Canada at the central bus station located at 1055 19th Street in downtown.
Car
Interstate 25 running north/south and Interstate-70 running east/west intersect just north of downtown and are the major traveling arteries through the city. Although the city's grid street set up is easy to pilot, like many major cities traffic congestion can be a problem. During the peak summer months the roads fill with campers and RVs heading to the hills and in the winter the highways bog with ski traffic. If you are planning on driving south of the city to the DTC vicinity utilizing I-25 beware of the massive highway and light rail expansion aptly known as T-REX (+1 303 786 8739 / http://www.trexproject.com/).
Getting Around
Public Transit
RTD is Denver's public transit service and offers a variety of options for hobnobbing around town including regular bus service, light rail and shuttles.
If you are simply trying to get from one end of downtown to the other you can hop aboard the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle. It slogs a mile from the edge of Civic Center Park to LoDo passing outdoor cafes, theaters and shopping malls, stopping at every intersection (16 in all) along the way. It is not the fastest ride, but it beats walking for many people.
Light rail features two lines. The 13-mile C line (orange) snakes from Union Station in LoDo to the southern suburbs with 12 station stops including Elitch Gardens and the Pepsi Center. The 14-mile D line (green), with 20 stopping stations, wanders through the heart of downtown before following the C line into the depths of the south burbs.
Trolley
Gray Line's Cultural Connection Trolley (+1 800 348-6877 / +1 303 289 2841; http://www.coloradograyline.com) runs daily 8:30a-5:30p (Memorial Day to Labor Day) and stops at Denver's numerous attractions, including the zoo, Ocean Journey, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Cherry Creek Mall and the Botanic Gardens. A USD16 boarding fee is good for 24 hours and allows you to hop on and off at any location along the route. Passes are available on-line and at various hotels and attractions along the route.
Car
Although it is possible to explore the Denver using many forms of transport, like most western cities the car is king (or the SUV in this case). With a good map it is easy to navigate the city and mountain roads, but parking in the downtown vicinity and especially LoDo is difficult and expensive, so if you are headed that direction you might consider public transit or a taxi. Denver is served by three taxi companies: Freedom Cab (+1303 444 4444), Yellow Cab (+1 303 777 7777) and MetroTaxi (+1 303 333 3333). In most cases, you have to call them to come get you (hailing is infrequent).
Bike
One of the better ways to get around town is by bicycle. Denver is one of the friendliest pedal power environments on the globe, and it has a network of urban and designated street trails that is the envy of many a town.
The main segments are the east/west Cherry Creek Trail and north/south Platte River Trail. Both trails meander by popular attractions, and are paved, well lighted, safe and easy enough for the entire family. All of the city buses have bike racks if you plan to venture further a field.
Traffic Information
To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com
If traveling overseas, take the safety precaution of registering your trip at https://travelregistration.state.gov and for helpful, practical advice about traveling technicalities and safety standards check out http://travel.state.gov/
Frommer's
Planning a Trip
Arriving
By Plane -- Denver International Airport (DIA) is 23 miles northeast of downtown, usually a 35- to 45-minute drive. Covering 53 square miles (twice the size of Manhattan), DIA has one of the tallest flight-control towers in the world, at 327 feet. The airport, which has 95 gates and six full-service runways, can handle around 50 million passengers annually.
Major national airlines serving Denver include American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways. International airlines include Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Mexicana de Aviación.
Regional and commuter airlines connecting Denver with other points in the Rockies and Southwest include Alaska Airlines and Great Lakes Airlines.
For information, call the Denver International Airport information line (tel. 800/AIR-2-DEN [247-2336] or 303/342-2000; TDD 800/688-1333; www.flydenver.com). Other important airport phone numbers include ground transportation, tel. 303/342-4059; lost and found, tel. 303/342-4062; paging, tel. 303/342-2300; parking, tel. 303/342-7275; police, tel. 303/342-4211; and security wait times, tel. 303/342-8477.
Getting To & From the Airport -- Bus, taxi, and limousine services shuttle travelers between the airport and downtown, and most major car-rental companies have outlets at the airport. Because many major hotels are some distance from the airport, travelers should check on the availability and cost of hotel shuttle services when making reservations.
The city bus fare from the airport to downtown Denver is $9; from the airport to Boulder and suburban Park-n-Ride lots, it is about $11. The SuperShuttle (tel. 800/525-3177 or 303/370-1300; www.supershuttledenver.com) provides transportation to and from a number of hotels downtown and in the Denver Tech Center. The SuperShuttle has frequent scheduled service between the airport and downtown hotels for $19 per person each way; door-to-door service is also available. Taxi companies are another option, with fares generally in the $30-to-$50 range, and you can often share a cab and split the fare by calling the cab company ahead of time. For instance, Yellow Cab (tel. 303/777-7777; www.yellowtrans.com) will take up to five people from DIA to most downtown hotels for a flat rate of $45.
Those who prefer a bit of luxury should call White Dove Limousine (tel. 800/910-7433 or 303/399-3683; www.whitedovelimo.com). Rates to different parts of the Denver metro area start around $70 but vary, so call for prices. The company operates sedan, stretch, and Hummer limousines, as well as a minibus. Charter services are also available.
By Car -- The principal highway routes into Denver are I-25 from the north (Fort Collins and Wyoming) and south (Colorado Springs and New Mexico), I-70 from the east (Burlington and Kansas) and west (Grand Junction and Utah), and I-76 from the northeast (Nebraska). If you're driving into Denver from Boulder, take U.S. 36; from Salida and southwest, U.S. 285.
By Train -- Amtrak serves Union Station, 17th and Wynkoop streets (tel. 800/USA-RAIL or 303/825-2583; www.amtrak.com), in the lower downtown historic district. Denver is a stop for the California Zephyr (Chicago to Emeryville, California); there are two trains daily in each direction.
By Bus -- Greyhound, 1055 19th Street (at Arapahoe Street) (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com), is the major bus service in Colorado, with about 60 daily arrivals and departures to communities in and out of the state.
Visitor Information
The Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau operates a visitor center on the 16th Street Mall at 1600 California St. (tel. 303/892-1505). It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. In summer, it is open until 6pm on weekdays, as well as on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. Visitor information is also available at Denver International Airport. Ask for the Official Visitors Guide, a 150-plus-page full-color booklet with a comprehensive listing of accommodations, restaurants, and other visitor services in Denver and surrounding areas.
For advance information, contact the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1555 California St., Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202-4264 (tel. 800/233-6837 or 303/892-1112; www.denver.org).
Getting Around
By Public Transportation -- The Regional Transportation District, or RTD (tel. 800/366-7433, 303/299-6000, or TDD 303/299-6089 for route and schedule information; 303/299-6700 for other business; www.rtd-denver.com), calls itself "The Ride." It operates bus routes and a light-rail system, with free transfer tickets available. It provides good service within Denver and its suburbs and outlying communities (including Boulder, Longmont, and Evergreen), as well as free parking at 65 Park-n-Ride locations throughout the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. The light-rail service is designed to get buses and cars out of congested downtown Denver; many of the bus routes from outlying areas deliver passengers to light-rail stations rather than to downtown.
The local one-way fare is $1.75; seniors and passengers with disabilities pay 85¢, and children age 5 and under travel free. Regional bus fares vary (for example, Denver to Boulder costs $4). Exact change is required for buses, and train tickets can be purchased at vending machines beneath light-rail station awnings.
Depending on the route, the departure time of the last bus or train varies from 9pm to 2am. Maps for all routes are available at any time at the RTD Civic Center Station, 16th Street and Broadway; and the Market Street Station, Market and 16th streets. RTD also provides special service to Colorado Rockies (baseball) and Denver Broncos (football) games. All RTD buses and trains are completely wheelchair accessible.
Free buses run up and down the 16th Street Mall between the Civic Center and Market Street, daily from 6am to 1am.
The light rail is also useful for exploring downtown and the greater metro area. The C Line diverts from the main north-south D Line at Colfax Avenue, and it veers west and stops at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Pepsi Center, and Six Flags Elitch Gardens before chugging into Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop streets in lower downtown. The D Line continues along northeast through the east side of downtown before its terminus at 30th Avenue and Downing Street. The E Line runs along I-25 from Broadway to Lincoln Avenue in the south suburbs. The F Line connects 18th and California streets downtown with Lincoln Avenue. The G Line runs from Nine Mile in Aurora at I-225 and Parker Road to Lincoln; the H Line connects Nine Mile and 18th and California.
The open-air Platte Valley Trolley (tel. 303/458-6255; www.denvertrolley.org) operates year-round. From April to October between 12:30 and 4pm Friday through Sunday, there's a 25-minute "Riverfront Ride" ($3 adults, $2 seniors and children), which operates from 15th Street at Confluence Park, south to the Denver Children's Museum along the west bank of the Platte River. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the ride is also available on Mondays. Different routes are offered at other times.
By Taxi -- The main companies are Yellow Cab (tel. 303/777-7777; www.yellowtrans.com) and Metro Taxi (tel. 303/333-3333; www.metrotaxidenver.com). Taxis can be hailed on the street, though it's preferable to telephone for a taxi or to wait for one at a taxi stand outside a major hotel. On weekends, hailing a taxi can be difficult when the bars close down for the night.
By Car -- Because cars are not necessary downtown, visitors can save money by staying downtown while in Denver, and then renting a car to leave the area.
The Denver office of the American Automobile Association (AAA) is at 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222-3405 (tel. 800/222-4357 or 303/753-8800; www.aaacolorado.com); there are several other locations in the Denver area.
Car Rentals -- Most major car-rental agencies have outlets in or near downtown Denver, as well as at Denver International Airport. These include Alamo, 24530 E. 78th Ave. (tel. 800/462-5266 or 303/342-7373); Avis, 1900 Broadway (tel. 800/331-1212 or 303/839-1280; 303/342-5500 at DIA); Dollar, 10343 N. Federal Blvd., Westminster (tel. 866/434-2226; 303/342-9678 at DIA); Enterprise, 7720 Calawba Ct. (tel. 800/261-7331 or 303/794-3333; 303/342-7350 at DIA); Hertz, 2001 Welton St. (tel. 800/654-3131 or 303/297-9400; 303/342-3800 at DIA); National, at Denver International Airport (tel. 800/227-7368 or 303/342-0717); and Thrifty, 8006 E. Arapahoe Ave. (tel. 800/847-4389 or 303/342-9400; 877/283-0898 at DIA). You can rent campers, travel trailers, motor homes, and motorcycles from Cruise America (tel. 800/671-8042; www.cruiseamerica.com).
Per-day rentals for midsize cars range from $35 to $70, although AAA and other discounts are often available, and weekend and multiday rates can also save money. Four-wheel-drive vehicles, trucks, and campers cost more.
Parking -- Downtown parking-lot rates vary from 75¢ per half-hour to $20 or more per full day. Rates are higher near the 16th Street Mall, in the central business district, and in hotel lots. Keep a handful of quarters available if you plan to use on-street parking meters.
Planning a Trip
Arriving
By Plane -- Denver International Airport (DIA) is 23 miles northeast of downtown, usually a 35- to 45-minute drive. Covering 53 square miles (twice the size of Manhattan), DIA has one of the tallest flight-control towers in the world, at 327 feet. The airport, which has 95 gates and six full-service runways, can handle around 50 million passengers annually.
Major national airlines serving Denver include American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Northwest, Southwest, United, and US Airways. International airlines include Air Canada, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Mexicana de Aviación.
Regional and commuter airlines connecting Denver with other points in the Rockies and Southwest include Alaska Airlines and Great Lakes Airlines.
For information, call the Denver International Airport information line (tel. 800/AIR-2-DEN [247-2336] or 303/342-2000; TDD 800/688-1333; www.flydenver.com). Other important airport phone numbers include ground transportation, tel. 303/342-4059; lost and found, tel. 303/342-4062; paging, tel. 303/342-2300; parking, tel. 303/342-7275; police, tel. 303/342-4211; and security wait times, tel. 303/342-8477.
Getting To & From the Airport -- Bus, taxi, and limousine services shuttle travelers between the airport and downtown, and most major car-rental companies have outlets at the airport. Because many major hotels are some distance from the airport, travelers should check on the availability and cost of hotel shuttle services when making reservations.
The city bus fare from the airport to downtown Denver is $9; from the airport to Boulder and suburban Park-n-Ride lots, it is about $11. The SuperShuttle (tel. 800/525-3177 or 303/370-1300; www.supershuttledenver.com) provides transportation to and from a number of hotels downtown and in the Denver Tech Center. The SuperShuttle has frequent scheduled service between the airport and downtown hotels for $19 per person each way; door-to-door service is also available. Taxi companies are another option, with fares generally in the $30-to-$50 range, and you can often share a cab and split the fare by calling the cab company ahead of time. For instance, Yellow Cab (tel. 303/777-7777; www.yellowtrans.com) will take up to five people from DIA to most downtown hotels for a flat rate of $45.
Those who prefer a bit of luxury should call White Dove Limousine (tel. 800/910-7433 or 303/399-3683; www.whitedovelimo.com). Rates to different parts of the Denver metro area start around $70 but vary, so call for prices. The company operates sedan, stretch, and Hummer limousines, as well as a minibus. Charter services are also available.
By Car -- The principal highway routes into Denver are I-25 from the north (Fort Collins and Wyoming) and south (Colorado Springs and New Mexico), I-70 from the east (Burlington and Kansas) and west (Grand Junction and Utah), and I-76 from the northeast (Nebraska). If you're driving into Denver from Boulder, take U.S. 36; from Salida and southwest, U.S. 285.
By Train -- Amtrak serves Union Station, 17th and Wynkoop streets (tel. 800/USA-RAIL or 303/825-2583; www.amtrak.com), in the lower downtown historic district. Denver is a stop for the California Zephyr (Chicago to Emeryville, California); there are two trains daily in each direction.
By Bus -- Greyhound, 1055 19th Street (at Arapahoe Street) (tel. 800/231-2222; www.greyhound.com), is the major bus service in Colorado, with about 60 daily arrivals and departures to communities in and out of the state.
Visitor Information
The Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau operates a visitor center on the 16th Street Mall at 1600 California St. (tel. 303/892-1505). It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. In summer, it is open until 6pm on weekdays, as well as on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. Visitor information is also available at Denver International Airport. Ask for the Official Visitors Guide, a 150-plus-page full-color booklet with a comprehensive listing of accommodations, restaurants, and other visitor services in Denver and surrounding areas.
For advance information, contact the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, 1555 California St., Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202-4264 (tel. 800/233-6837 or 303/892-1112; www.denver.org).
Getting Around
By Public Transportation -- The Regional Transportation District, or RTD (tel. 800/366-7433, 303/299-6000, or TDD 303/299-6089 for route and schedule information; 303/299-6700 for other business; www.rtd-denver.com), calls itself "The Ride." It operates bus routes and a light-rail system, with free transfer tickets available. It provides good service within Denver and its suburbs and outlying communities (including Boulder, Longmont, and Evergreen), as well as free parking at 65 Park-n-Ride locations throughout the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. The light-rail service is designed to get buses and cars out of congested downtown Denver; many of the bus routes from outlying areas deliver passengers to light-rail stations rather than to downtown.
The local one-way fare is $1.75; seniors and passengers with disabilities pay 85¢, and children age 5 and under travel free. Regional bus fares vary (for example, Denver to Boulder costs $4). Exact change is required for buses, and train tickets can be purchased at vending machines beneath light-rail station awnings.
Depending on the route, the departure time of the last bus or train varies from 9pm to 2am. Maps for all routes are available at any time at the RTD Civic Center Station, 16th Street and Broadway; and the Market Street Station, Market and 16th streets. RTD also provides special service to Colorado Rockies (baseball) and Denver Broncos (football) games. All RTD buses and trains are completely wheelchair accessible.
Free buses run up and down the 16th Street Mall between the Civic Center and Market Street, daily from 6am to 1am.
The light rail is also useful for exploring downtown and the greater metro area. The C Line diverts from the main north-south D Line at Colfax Avenue, and it veers west and stops at Invesco Field at Mile High, the Pepsi Center, and Six Flags Elitch Gardens before chugging into Union Station at 17th and Wynkoop streets in lower downtown. The D Line continues along northeast through the east side of downtown before its terminus at 30th Avenue and Downing Street. The E Line runs along I-25 from Broadway to Lincoln Avenue in the south suburbs. The F Line connects 18th and California streets downtown with Lincoln Avenue. The G Line runs from Nine Mile in Aurora at I-225 and Parker Road to Lincoln; the H Line connects Nine Mile and 18th and California.
The open-air Platte Valley Trolley (tel. 303/458-6255; www.denvertrolley.org) operates year-round. From April to October between 12:30 and 4pm Friday through Sunday, there's a 25-minute "Riverfront Ride" ($3 adults, $2 seniors and children), which operates from 15th Street at Confluence Park, south to the Denver Children's Museum along the west bank of the Platte River. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the ride is also available on Mondays. Different routes are offered at other times.
By Taxi -- The main companies are Yellow Cab (tel. 303/777-7777; www.yellowtrans.com) and Metro Taxi (tel. 303/333-3333; www.metrotaxidenver.com). Taxis can be hailed on the street, though it's preferable to telephone for a taxi or to wait for one at a taxi stand outside a major hotel. On weekends, hailing a taxi can be difficult when the bars close down for the night.
By Car -- Because cars are not necessary downtown, visitors can save money by staying downtown while in Denver, and then renting a car to leave the area.
The Denver office of the American Automobile Association (AAA) is at 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222-3405 (tel. 800/222-4357 or 303/753-8800; www.aaacolorado.com); there are several other locations in the Denver area.
Car Rentals -- Most major car-rental agencies have outlets in or near downtown Denver, as well as at Denver International Airport. These include Alamo, 24530 E. 78th Ave. (tel. 800/462-5266 or 303/342-7373); Avis, 1900 Broadway (tel. 800/331-1212 or 303/839-1280; 303/342-5500 at DIA); Dollar, 10343 N. Federal Blvd., Westminster (tel. 866/434-2226; 303/342-9678 at DIA); Enterprise, 7720 Calawba Ct. (tel. 800/261-7331 or 303/794-3333; 303/342-7350 at DIA); Hertz, 2001 Welton St. (tel. 800/654-3131 or 303/297-9400; 303/342-3800 at DIA); National, at Denver International Airport (tel. 800/227-7368 or 303/342-0717); and Thrifty, 8006 E. Arapahoe Ave. (tel. 800/847-4389 or 303/342-9400; 877/283-0898 at DIA). You can rent campers, travel trailers, motor homes, and motorcycles from Cruise America (tel. 800/671-8042; www.cruiseamerica.com).
Per-day rentals for midsize cars range from $35 to $70, although AAA and other discounts are often available, and weekend and multiday rates can also save money. Four-wheel-drive vehicles, trucks, and campers cost more.
Parking -- Downtown parking-lot rates vary from 75¢ per half-hour to $20 or more per full day. Rates are higher near the 16th Street Mall, in the central business district, and in hotel lots. Keep a handful of quarters available if you plan to use on-street parking meters.
