How To Get From Denver To Aspen: Your Ultimate Guide In 2024

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Are you wondering how to get from Denver to Aspen?

You’ve come to the perfect place! Having lived in Denver, we have ventured all around the state and one of our favorite things to do was embark on a road trip from Denver to Aspen.

Aspen, recognized as a premier ski destination in the United States, is famous for its captivating mountains, excellent ski slopes, upscale shopping options, scrumptious restaurants, and stunning landscape.

Drawing over a million visitors annually, Aspen captivates visitors with its charm across all seasons.

While there is a small airport in Aspen, the majority of travelers choose to embark on the journey from Denver.

To streamline your travel plans, we’ve outlined the best methods for navigating between these two iconic destinations below.

Downtown Denver with cars driving along the roads.

How To Get From Denver To Aspen:

There are quite a few different options you can take to get from Denver to Aspen including renting a car, taking a shuttle, flying, and a few others.

We have personally traveled from Denver to Aspen on multiple occasions so we know the best ways to travel between these two cities.

Below we have pinpointed the different ways to journey between Denver and Aspen so that you can have the best and most convenient time possible while exploring Colorado.

Views from a road in Colorado with a fog and mountain landscape.

🚗 Drive From Denver To Aspen – Best Choice For How To Travel From Denver To Aspen

There are two main options you can take when it comes to driving from Denver to Aspen. This includes driving your own vehicle, if you live in Colorado or make a road trip to the state with your own car.

The second option is to rent a car from Denver to Aspen. You can typically rent a car one way from Denver to Aspen for anywhere between $150 to $600 depending on the specific vehicle and where you rent from.

In our opinion, this stands out as the top choice because it gives you independence, relying solely on yourself, except for potential traffic or weather factors.

Having your own vehicle is a huge advantage when visiting Aspen because it enables you to explore the surrounding areas without being dependent on public transportation.

Driving your own car or renting one is ideal for many reasons. One of the biggest advantages is that it only costs about $30-$50 for gas.

Another excellent reason to drive your car is so that you can make your way to the Maroon Bells and take in their distinct formations and you can explore various restaurants, shops, breweries, and bars in the vicinity.

It also offers flexibility for visiting nearby attractions such as the Glenwood Hot Springs and embarking on hikes in the area.

The drive from Denver to Aspen typically takes between 3 hours and 15 minutes and 3 hours and 35 minutes but can easily be 4 to 5 hours depending on road conditions and traffic.

There are two main routes you can take to navigate from Denver to Aspen which is through Leadville or Glenwood Springs.

1. Traveling Through Leadville – Most Popular But Only Open From The End Of May To October

This is the most popular route to travel to Aspen from Denver. It only takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes and takes you through Independence Pass. This route takes you along some truly gorgeous scenery of the beautiful Colorado mountains.

2. Journeying Through Glenwood Springs – Open Year Road And Pass By Epic Hot Springs

This route is open year round but most people stick to Leadville in less you are traveling to Aspen during the winter months. This route takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes and you’ll pass through the charming town of Glenwood Springs.

We recommend stopping by the Glenwood Hot Springs on your way to Aspen. We did this on our winter road trip from Denver to Aspen and loved our time soaking in the mineral waters and taking in the views of the surrounding mountains.

No matter what route you take, you will experience some truly incredible scenery along the way.

⏰ Time- Usually between 3-4 hours
💵 Cost- Around $30-$50 for gas (if you rent a vehicle, I’d estimate an additional $200 or so)

🚗 Looking to rent a car? Click here!

A car driving along a road with red rocks on each side in Colorado.

🚌 Denver To Aspen Shuttle

The CO West Transportation offers an express shuttle from Denver International Airport (DIA) to Aspen.

The express shuttle is known as the Roaring Fork Express and takes approximately 4 hours to get to Aspen from the Denver Airport.

This offers an excellent alternative to driving your own vehicle, especially if the prospect of driving through the Rocky Mountains makes you feel uneasy.

Additionally, this is a super nice option if you are headed to Aspen in winter and are worried about driving in snowy conditions.

By booking a shuttle service, you are able to unwind and not fret about inclement weather.

Instead, your seasoned driver has plenty of experience handling Colorado’s winter conditions so you can kickback and enjoy the ride.

The express shuttle service from Denver to Aspen is a shared shuttle that usually seats around 14 passengers max and costs about $130 per person one way.

⏰ Time- Approximately 4 hours
💵 Cost- Around $130 per person one way

Snowcapped mountains views on a road trip from Denver to Aspen.

🚍 Bus From Denver To Aspen – Cheapest Way To Get From Denver To Aspen

The most budget-friendly option to travel between Denver and Aspen is by taking the bus.

You will need to head to Union Station and hop on Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bustang West Line bus to the West Glenwood Park and Ride.

This journey takes about 4-5 hours depending on traffic, road conditions, and weather.

Upon your arrival at the West Glenwood Park and Ride, you will need to catch Bus L into the center of Aspen. This bus ride takes approximately 1-2 hours.

The bus ride from Denver to Aspen is a great budget-friendly option, only costing about $40.

However, it’s worth noting that this choice also entails one of the lengthier journeys, typically spanning 5-7 hours in total.

⏰ Time- Between 5-7 hours
💵 Cost- Around $40 per person one way

A road in Colorado with train tracks beside it.

🚂 Train From Denver To Aspen

There’s no direct train from Denver to Aspen. However, you can take the Amtrak from Union Station to Glenwood Springs.

The Amtrak ride takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes and costs anywhere between $50 to over $120 depending on the day, time, and seat.

From Glenwood Springs, you will need to catch the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) L bus to get you the rest of the way to the heart of Aspen.

You will have to pay an additional $7 for the bus and this journey takes between 1 and 2 hours depending on conditions.

Personally, we wouldn’t advise taking this route as it depends on the timeliness of two separate modes of transportation. Additionally, train tickets can be relatively costly.

⏰ Time- Approximately 7-8 hours
💵 Cost- Between About $50-$125+ per person one way

Union Station in downtown Denver with snowy roads.

🛩 Denver To Aspen Flight – Quickest Way To Get From Denver To Aspen

One of the easiest and quickest ways to travel between Denver and Aspen is to hop on a short flight.

This is a phenomenal option if you have the budget for it and are looking to save some time on travel. You can generally get to Aspen 45 minutes to 1 hour.

You will need to fly out of Denver International Airport (DEN) and land in Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE).

Flights run out of Denver multiple times a day, seven days a week, making it a convenient choice if you don’t mind the hefty price tag.

You can typically find flights for $169 one way but flight prices can soar past $1,000 depending on the specific date and time.

⏰ Time- Approximately 1 hour
💵 Cost- Around $170+ per person one way

If you've ever wondered how to get from Denver to Aspen, one of the best ways is by flying.

🚙 Private Transfer From Denver To Aspen

A less common but viable choice is to secure a private transfer from Denver to Aspen.

This allows you to pre-book a driver who will seamlessly transport you, eliminating the need to share transportation like a plane, shuttle, bus, or train.

This spares you from the obligation of driving your own vehicle and you can relax while someone else navigates you between these two cities.

Opting for a private transfer is an awesome option if you have the budget, prefer a more secluded travel experience, and want to bypass the hassle of driving.

It generally takes between 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours to drive from Denver to Aspen by private transfer.

The cost for this service typically falls within the range of $1,000 to $2,000, depending on various factors such as the type of vehicle and the number of passengers accompanying you.

⏰ Time- Approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours
💵 Cost- Between $1,000 and $2,000 one way

A road in Colorado surrounded by fall foliage with mountains in the distance.

FAQs About How To Get From Denver To Aspen

Is there transportation from Denver to Aspen?

There are plenty of transportation options from Denver to Aspen including car, bus, train, shuttle, and plane travel.

How do I get from Aspen to Denver without a car?

The best way to get from Aspen to Denver without a car is by taking the shuttle bus referred to as the Roaring Fork Express. The next most convenient option is to take the bus.

What’s the easiest way to get from Aspen?

The easiest way to get from Aspen is by taking a plane but the next best option is by driving.

Is Denver to Aspen a nice drive?

Denver to Aspen is a fantastic drive with plenty of beautiful views.

Can I take a train from Denver to Aspen?

No, there is not a direct train from Denver to Aspen. There is a train from Denver to Glenwood Springs. From Glenwood Springs, you will need to take the bus to get to Aspen.

How do most people get to Aspen?

Most people get to Aspen by driving a vehicle but another popular option is by flying into Aspen.

Is it a difficult drive from Denver to Aspen?

It’s not difficult to drive from Denver to Aspen but make sure that you have a 4WD vehicle due to the mountain roads with steep inclines and the chance of inclement weather along the way.

Abby and Sam with the Maroon Bells after driving from Denver to Aspen.

Final Thoughts On Traveling From Denver To Aspen

Numerous travel options link Denver and Aspen. Drawing from our time in Denver, we strongly suggest driving your own vehicle to Aspen, providing you the freedom to explore the surrounding areas.

Aspen is truly remarkable, standing out as one of the most breathtaking destinations we’ve had the pleasure of exploring.

With multiple visits to the town, we’ve come to appreciate it not only as a haven for skiers and paradise for snowboarders but also as an outstanding year-round destination. Even for those who don’t ski, Aspen offers a delightful experience during the winter season.

We hope that this guide helps streamline your trip from Denver to Aspen, allowing you to embrace the charm of this gorgeous mountain town just as much as we have.