Traveling to Vail, Colorado this Winter

Vail Colorado, is a popular destination for snowboarders and skiers from around the world. It is known as one of the top ski resorts on the planet.  The snow is soft and fluffy, the runs are beautiful, and there is plenty to offer for everyone: from Olympic level expert to complete beginner.

Vail skiers enjoy a sense of exclusivity, prestige and luxury. Vail is often regarded as more luxurious than Aspen by travel enthusiasts. Vail welcomes everyone, but it can be expensive. Planning a travel budget is highly advisable to get the most out of your Vail vacation.

There are two options for flying into Colorado. Denver International Airport, (DIA), and Eagle Regional Airport, (EGE). The drive from Eagle airport in Vail is approximately 30 minutes. While the trip from Denver International Airport to Vail, usually takes between 2 and 2.5 hours, You should absolutely allow additional time to avoid dangerous road conditions if you are arriving in winter. 

Vail Transportation Options:

Once you have arrived at the airport, it is time to choose your transportation for getting to Vail. There are many options that you should consider. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s look at some of these options:

Vail by Shared Shuttle

Numerous shared shuttle operators offer flights from Denver International Airport and Eagle Regional Airport to Vail.

The shuttles run on regular schedules and are an affordable way to get to Vail from EGE or Denver, but do have many disadvantages:

1. The price shown is per person and not per party. If you are traveling with a friend or family member, this may be the most affordable option. However, if you’re traveling with a large group of people or a family, this might not be the best option.
2. It takes much longer. Waiting for other passengers to get on the shuttle takes a long time. There may be additional stops along the way before you reach your lodging. This will also considerably increase your travel time.
3. These services do not run 24 hours/day. They generally have the last shuttle around 6pm so if you arrive after that time, you’ll be out of luck.

These are important factors to consider before booking a shared shuttle.

Renting a Car

A car can be rented. The usual assortment of car rental agencies are available at both airports. A reservation is required at least 48 hours in advance. High demand can make rates more expensive in peak seasons.

You should also keep in mind that Vail parking can be costly and difficult to find. Many hotels don’t offer parking for free, so this will add to your daily expenses. In the mountains, gas prices are often 15-25% more than elsewhere in Colorado.

You should also be aware that driving in the winter can be dangerous. If you aren’t comfortable driving in heavy snowfall or maneuvering on icy roads, you might want to avoid using a car rental.

Transportation in Vail itself is very straightforward. There are free in-town shuttles to take visitors from their lodgings to the slopes as well as restaurants and shopping centers. Having a car in Vail, really isn’t necessary, and is just an unnecessary added expense.

A Private Airport Shuttle Service

A private car service is another option to get to Vail. They are slightly more expensive and might seem daunting at first. However, if you look closely, you might find that this is actually the best and most cost-effective way to travel to Vail.

These are the benefits of using a private shuttle service to get from the airport to Vail:

1) The price is per vehicle and not per person. A group of 5 to 7 people will find that the cost of a private luxury vehicle is less than getting shared shuttle tickets.

2) Private shuttles are available 24/7. You will still be able get to your lodging no matter what time of your flight arrives.

4) Your driver can assist you with all your luggage. This is a great perk after a long flight. 

Vail: The Best way to Travel this Winter

Vail is known for luxurious fun. You shouldn’t have to worry about traffic, road conditions or waiting for others to load into small cramped vans – that’s just not what Vail is all about. Book a private airport shuttle service this winter and enjoy everything Vail has to offer.