Can You Visit Denver without a Car?
Sometimes when choosing a vacation, it’s nice to go somewhere that you don’t have to rent a car and worry about navigating your way around a new city. So you might be wondering, Is Denver walkable? Do you need a car in Denver?
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For the most part, the short answer is yes, Denver is walkable and you do not need a car in Denver.
We’ve lived near Denver for quite some time, so we often have a car with us. But there are times we don’t want to take the car downtown, so we’ve used public transportation to both get to Denver and get around Denver.
Here’s a guide to getting around Denver without a car, as well as when it might be difficult without a car.
Table of Contents
Getting from the Airport to the City
Denver Airport is not located in the downtown area or surrounding boundary. It’s not terribly far, but definitely not in the city.
No problem, though, as there is an easy way to get from the airport to the city.
When you’ve collected your bags, simply head to the Denver Transit Center, located on the south end of the Jeppesen Terminal on level 1.
Your first choice in catching a ride to Denver is to hop on the commuter rail (the train via the RTD A Line). This is a 37 minute ride on the train into Denver. It will drop you at Union Station, the transportation hub of Denver.
As a second option, there are plenty of taxis or ride shares that can get you downtown, though this is the least economical way or transferring.
Related: Parking Lots and Rates at the Denver Airport
Getting Around Denver without a Car
Once you are in the city, it’s quite easy to get around Denver without a car.
If you’re trying to save money on your Denver vacation, this is the way to go:
Use the Light Rail!
The train (or, light rail as it’s locally called) runs with stops all over the city, as well as beyond into suburban towns. Once the train drops you at Union Station from the airport, you have wide access to anywhere you want in Denver.
For many attractions, you’ll need to walk to the nearest station, ride the rail, and then walk a little to your final destination.
Usually you can get within about 10-15 minutes max walking distance of major attractions within Denver by riding the rail.
Use the Bus!
While the light rail can get you to most areas of Denver, the bus can get you closer to your destination. Some places (like Hammonds Candy Factory or the Denver Art Museum) may require a short bus transfer.
If you’re willing to hop on the RTD bus, you’ll get a lot closer to your destination.
Walk Time to Attractions in Denver from Light Rail/Bus
Here are a few top family attractions with their respective walking times after getting dropped at the nearest light rail station (or nearest bus station, as noted):
- Aquarium (and next-door Children’s Museum) – 18 minute walk, 10 minute walk if you also use the bus
- Denver Zoo – 11 minutes (requires bus transfer)
- Denver Museum of Nature and Science – 10 minutes (near the zoo, requires bus transfer)
- Meow Wolf– 15 minutes
- Confluence Park – 15 minutes
- Denver Center for Performing Arts- 4 minutes
- Republic Plaza (end of 16th street)- 3 minutes
- Denver Art Museum– 3 minutes (requires bus transfer)
- Elitch Gardens- 6 minutes
- Hammond’s Candy Factory– 2 minutes (requires bus transfer)
- Pepsi Center/Ball Arena– 3 minutes
- Coors Field – 11 minutes
It’s important to note that sometimes getting from one part of town to another can take a while. There is likely a point where you need to get off the light rail and switch lines at a station.
But can you visit Denver without a car? Yes, it can be done using the rail system.
Is Denver Walkable? A Walking Guide to Denver
Denver is rather large, so while you can walk everywhere without using any sort of public transportation, it isn’t necessarily practical. But you can.
For example, if you were at the southwest end of 16th street mall (by Republic Plaza) and wanted to go to Elitches, it would take about 40 minutes to walk down 16th (or save time by hopping on the FREE 16th street bus to take it to the other end), down Blake, and down a section of Speer.
If you aren’t in a rush, then downtown Denver is totally walkable.
Below I suggest staying at the Grand Hyatt. Assuming you are staying there, here are walking times to various locations without using the light rail (though it’s recommended to use the 16th street FREE bus when applicable to cut down walking time).
From the Grand Hyatt:
- Aquarium– 42 minutes, less if you use the free 16th street bus for 10 blocks!
- Denver Zoo – 1 hour, recommended to use the rail/bus
- Confluence Park– 30 minutes, less if you use the 16th street bus
- Meow Wolf – 41 minutes, not ideal to walk to though
- Pepsi Center- 25 minutes
- Coors Field- 20 minutes
- Denver Center for Performing Arts – 20 minutes (can also use 16th Street mall bus for part)
- Elitch Gardens – 40 minutes, recommended to use the rail
Because of the layout and busy-ness of some roads (like Speer), it is definitely recommended to use the light rail instead of walking across the whole downtown area.
RTD Light Rail/Bus Pass Options
The light rail works by zone. There use to be multiple zones and fares, but now there are just two zones: airport or local (no airport.)
One great way to save money on the light rail is to purchase a pass for a whole day. This will make your day more efficient by using the light rail as you explore all over downtown Denver.
You can also pay for 3 hours of rides on the light rail. This will cost around $3 for 3 hours, whereas a day pass will cost under $6.
If you’ll be spending a few weeks in Denver, you can also utilize a month-long pass for under $100.
If you do end up getting a month pass, it will include airport rides as well.
In addition, kids traveling with you won’t cost as much.
Up to 3 kids under 5 can ride free with a paying adult. Kids ages 6-19 ride on a discounted fare.
If you are just spending a few days in Denver, the daily pass is the way to go.
Get all the details, routes, and fare information for the light rail.
Where to Stay in Denver without a Car
I often recommend staying at the Grand Hyatt in Denver. It’s conveniently located just over a block away from 16th Street Mall, the hub of downtown Denver. When you arrive on 16th street, you can take the free Mall Ride (bus) from one end to the other, cutting down any walking time.
To get around Denver, it’s less than a 5 minute walk to the nearest light rail station (18th and California) from the Grand Hyatt. That gives you access to pretty much anywhere in Denver without your car.
The Grand Hyatt, in addition to being a great location, is also a great hotel that runs on the more affordable side for Denver. It also has a beautiful lobby and nice indoor pool.
Because it’s centrally located and a decent price, it’s often booked.
If the Grand Hyatt is booked, other great options near a light rail and / or centrally located include:
- The Brown Palace – a historic, iconic hotel in Denver. Enjoy a boutique feel and book a tea time. Just 1 block from 16th Street Mall.
- Four Seasons – For a more posh experience and a full service spa. Just 2 blocks from 16th Street Mall.
- Crawford Hotel- The most convenient for transportation as it’s located right at Union Station. You’ll pay a little more for both luxury and the prime location.
Denver Without a Car: Wrap Up
While Denver can be quite walkable, there is an even easier way to access all the sites and attractions you’d like.
The best way to get around Denver without a car is to take advantage of the RTD light rail system. It can get you within short walking distance of almost anywhere you’d like in the downtown area. It can even get you out of the city if you need.
The light rail is easy to use, an economical way to get around, and can even provide transportation to and from the airport.
Is Denver walkable? Overall, yes. You can walk most places in Denver, though some streets are busy and hard to navigate. The easiest way to get around Denver without a car is to use the local light rail system.
