How to get around Denver

One of the great things about visiting Denver is the ease in getting around. There is an extensive public transit system that features 113 miles of coverage and 74 stations across 10 light rail and commuter rail lines, providing more than 70,000 rail riders per weekday with train-based transportation – the ninth highest in the United States.

Add in the ridership of the more than 1000 buses that are operated daily by RTD (Regional Transportation District) and the 238,500 Coloradans (between Denver and Boulder) taking public transportation every day, and you’ll start to get a picture of the extensive options the area offers.

But that’s not all. Colorado also has some of the lowest gas prices in the country and surface roads are laid out on an easy to use grid, so if you’d rather drive, Denver is also a good city for that.

No matter your preference – car rental, ridesharing use, or taking RTD – we’ll give you all the details you need to make the best choice for your trip.

Renting a car in Denver

Because the biggest tourist attraction in Denver is the Rocky Mountains to the west, a large number of out-of-towners that fly into Denver also rent cars. That means that there is a huge fleet of available vehicles at Denver International Airport offered by the 10 different rental car companies that operate there.

However, truth be told, it’s not the most convenient airport rental car facility you’ll find. You have to board a shuttle bus (picking up on Level 5, Island 4, on both the east and west sides of the main terminal), and each rental car company has its own shuttles, since there isn’t one unified rental car center. So, between shuttle and car pick up times, that can add 30 to 60 minutes to your airport exit. 

You also have the option of waiting until you get into the city to rent a car. In the downtown area alone there are several rental car agencies, including one directly across the street from Union Station. Prices downtown are also often cheaper than the airport because they are exempt from airport taxes and some other fees. So if you only need a car for one day and can limit your usage to the hours that the rental car agencies are open, you may be able to skip both the airport rental taxes as well as the overnight parking fees.

Speaking of which, garage/lot parking is plentiful downtown, but just know that you will pay between $20 and $30 a day to park a car near any of the major hotels downtown when prepaying through a parking app, like ParkChirp, SpotHero, ParkWhiz, and ParkMobile. 

There is also extensive street parking in downtown Denver that is safe to use during the day, and for the ease of its use, you’ll want to download the app PayByPhone. In more residential areas of downtown, you’ll notice that a lot of cars are also parked on the street overnight. As long as you don’t leave anything in your car, this is also safe to do. Inside a garage, however, is always the safest option. But again, don’t leave anything in your car.

Most metered parking in the city goes from 8am to 8pm.

Ridesharing in Denver

If you like the convenience of driving, but without the responsibility (perhaps you’re going to take advantage of Denver’s craft beer scene), ridesharing in the Mile High City is a solid choice.

It’s a good way to get from the airport and into the city, as well as getting around Denver when you’re not at the ballpark.

Ridesharing costs to/from Coors/Downtown

If you are already downtown, there is no reason to take a rideshare to Coors Field. You can walk there or take the 16th Street Free MallRide to within three blocks of the ballpark. After the game, if you are getting in a rideshare, there is a designated lot at 22nd and Blake St. – just across from Gate B (right field). You can also go out Gate C (1st base) and walk a block to Market St. to meet your rideshare. 

After games at Coors Field there are also dozens of pedicabs working in the area. For $2 a block (plus tip) your driver will pedal you around the neighborhood, and to the bars and restaurants in LoDo and along the 16th Street Mall.

Public Transportation in Denver

Before you arrive in Denver be sure to download the RTD MyRide app. With the app you can buy tickets and passes, plus map out your travel to anywhere in the Denver area. You can preload your account and scan the app’s QR code each time you are using a train or bus, or you purchase specific tickets for each ride.

Tickets available are: Standard Three-Hour Pass ($2.75), Standard Day Pass ($5.50), Airport Day Pass ($10.00, which includes unlimited rides on all RTA transit), and Standard Monthly Pass ($88.00). Only the Airport Day Pass and Standard Monthly Pass include airport access.

Train

The central hub for all 10 light rail and commuter rail lines is Union Station, which is just a three-block walk from Coors Field. The train connects as far south as Littleton and Lone Tree, north to Northglenn, west to Wheat Ridge, and east to Aurora and the airport.

Each train has armed security, and the trains leaving Union Station after Rockies games are always full of baseball fans. But if you are traveling at night, or find yourself feeling uncomfortable, it is recommended to sit at the front of the train, near the driver.

The 16th Street Free MallRide bus runs back and forth between Union Station and Civic Center Station a mile away, and near the Colorado State Capitol building. It’s a free way to travel around downtown, and it’s safe.

Other

Downtown Denver also has over 20 miles of dedicated bike lanes, making the use of shared e-scooters and bikes a viable option, and a safe one. Be sure to have the Lyft and Lime apps on your phone to find the nearest available bikes and scooters. You’ll also pay for their use through the app using a credit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. Helmets are not provided, and riding on the sidewalk is prohibited.

Downtown Denver is also very walkable, and on the weekends and game days it is highly trafficked. When the bars and restaurants around Coors Field are open, there are always people on the streets.

Coors Field parking

Because Coors Field is sandwiched between old and refurbished warehouses on one side, and train tracks on another, the parking lot for the ballpark is long and narrow. There are 1,100 spots in Lot A, which is closest to the ballpark and a short walk away from the gates in right field. The ballpark is on 22nd St., and Lot A extends from 22nd to 27th.

Pre-purchasing a pass for this lot is recommended, as very few spaces will be available the day of the game. The cost begins at $20 a vehicle, and goes up for weekend games and specialty events – like Fourth of July fireworks games. We recommend parking in Lot A, because it’s convenient, safe, and easy to access.

Further away is Lot B. It extends from 27th St. to 33rd St. There are more spots in this lot, and far more availability on game day. It’s a 15 to 20 minute walk to your car, or you can take one of the provided shuttle buses. The shuttles are fine to take to the ballpark when arriving for the game, since the arrival of the crowd is spread out over two hours. But when everyone wants to leave in the same 10-minute window, the wait for buses back to your car can get quite long. For that reason, we don’t suggest parking in Lot B unless you’re fine with a bit of an extended walk, because the shuttle wait time after the game could be 30-45 minutes.

Coors Field also offers disabled accessible parking right next to the ballpark and at the front of Lot A. These spots begin at $18 and it is also recommended that you pre-purchase your pass.

Directly across from Gate B (right field corner) at the corner of 22nd and Blake is the VIP Lot with valet service. It begins at $35 a vehicle (again, pricier on weekends and special events) and those spaces can only be purchased at the lot on game day.

The valet parking at Coors Field opens two hours prior to the start of the game. All other Coors Field parking opens two and a half hours before the game.

Parking near Coors Field

This is downtown, and there are a number of available parking lots in which you can park. Right next to Coors Field will be expensive, but the rates drop just a few blocks from the park. However, it’s recommended that you stay south of 22nd St. Between 22nd and 17th is ideal, whereas north of 22nd means you’re going to have a more colorful walk back to your car. There is a concentration of homeless shelters and rescue missions between 22nd and 24th, and between Larimer St. to Curtis St. It’s not a violent area of the city, but you will find your access to the sidewalk limited.

ParkChirp example from 06/15/24

It’s just better to park in the other direction because that’s also where most of the postgame party is held. It’s also the direction that most of the office buildings are, which is then where most of the parking can be found.

In my unscientific exploration of the available parking mobile apps, ParkChirp tended to have the cheapest parking rates and the most customization in terms of arrival and departure times. SpotHero displayed a far greater number of available spots, with choices that covered all ranges of cost as well as proximity to the stadium.

Not surprising, all of the parking apps offer discounted rates for games in the middle of the week, and more expensive parking fees on the weekends. You’ll also pay more if the Dodgers or Yankees are in town, and less if it’s the Marlins or Nationals.

Bottom Line

Denver is a very drivable city, and there are places in the surrounding area that are best explored by car. But if you prefer not to drive, the public transit system is quite good and it connects you to the airport and downtown, and Coors Field, easily and without much expense.