Vail — Getting there and around

By air: Flights land at the Vail/Eagle County airport, about 35 miles west of Vail and at the Denver International Airport, 110 miles east. Eagle County airport is served by American, Northwest, Delta, Continental, United Express and United.

Ground transportation between Denver and Vail is frequent and convenient. Contact Vail Valley Transportation at (877) 829-8294; Colorado Mountain Express at (800) 525-6363; Airlink Shuttle at (800) 554-8245; or Vail Valley Taxi (Eagle airport only) at (877) 829-8294 or (970) 476-8294. For personalized private charter limos, vans and suburbans, make reservations with VailCoach (877 554-7433).Though flights into Denver may be a bit less expensive than into Eagle, consider the cost of ground transportation, where per-person rates from Denver are about double those from Eagle.

By car: Vail is in the central Rocky Mountains of Colorado, 100 miles west of Denver, 140 miles east of Grand Junction and 35 miles east of Eagle.

I-70 is a scenic and direct route into Vail from just about anywhere. Once in Vail, follow the signage to the Main Vail Exit (176) where most lodging, parking and access to the mountain can be found. East and West Vail can also be easily accessed by exits (180 and 173) just before and after the Main Vail Exit.

Getting around: Most parts of Vail are very self-contained, and the slick, reliable bus service — the largest free transportation system in the country — runs throughout town from East to West Vail. Visitors and locals ride the free bus because parking is very limited and expensive. Shuttles to Beaver Creek cost $3 one way and leave from the Transportation Center above the parking structure in Vail Village.

During most of the season, you won’t need (or want) a car if your lodging is in Vail Village or Lionshead. Be sure to ask when you make your lodging reservations how close you are to the free bus service. As the buses go where cars are not allowed, the buses will often get you closer to your destination than if you drove. If you come in early or late season (early December or April), be sure to ask the person making your reservations whether the bus schedules will be reduced during your visit.