How to get from Vail to Aspen

(without a car)

I went to Colorado for a skip trip last winter and wanted to avoid renting a car. I was going from Denver, to Vail, to Aspen to Park City, so it wasn’t convenient to rent a car due to complications of where to return it. And I was a bit worried after reading about the Colorado winter roads!

I had a super hard time find details on getting from Vail to Aspen (or Aspen to Vail) without renting a car. There were shuttles from Denver to Vail that were super convenient and easy to use, but nothing similar existed for Vail to Aspen (other than hiring a private driver – this cost upwards of $900 minimum for less than a two hour ride and was definitely out of my price range!)

Finally, after a lot of googling , I found public transportation options that ended up being fairly convenient. This involved taking 3 busses (which sounds worse than it really was)

Vail to Aspen

Bus 1: Vail Transportation Center to Glenwood Springs

From the Vail Transportation Center (right in downtown Vail) you can catch the Bustang West from Vail to Glenwood Springs.

The bus generally leaves 3 times a day and costs about $5.

If you can, take it to Glenwood Springs South Station. (And skip bus 2) It doesn’t always stop there, and if not, you’ll need to get off at the general Glenwood Springs stop.

Bus 2: Glenwood Springs to Glenwood Springs 27th Street Station

If your first bus does not stop at Glenwood Springs South Station and get you get off at the regular Glenwood Springs stop you need to get to the 27th Street Station (also in Glenwood Springs) Luckily, this is super easy.

Just grab the free local bus to Glenwood Springs South Station (also called 27th Street Station) This is where you’ll catch the final bus to Aspen.

Bus 3: Glenwood Springs 27th Street Station to Aspen

From 27th street buy a ticket to your stop in Aspen from the kiosks available. The Local Valley busses are run by RFTA, cost about $3, and run every 20 minutes or so. The views are stunning heading towards Aspen.

You can get off near Snowmass and catch an additional if that’s where you’re headed in Aspen. The bus also stops at Buttermilk. And finally, the bus makes many stops in downtown Aspen!

Aspen to Vail

To get from Aspen to Vail you’ll want to reverse the route mentioned above!

Bus 1: Aspen to Glenwood Springs 27th Street Station

The Local Valley busses are run by RFTA, cost about $3, and run every 20 minutes or so. The bus makes several stops in the Aspen area, as can be seen in the website linked.

Bus 2: Glenwood Springs 27th Street Station to Glenwood Springs

You’ll want tot take the Bustang East from from Glenwood Springs to Vail Transportation Center. Sometimes the Bustang East stops at Glenwood Springs 27th Street (also called Glendwood Springs South Station) Check the website to confirm, but if not you’ll need to take the local Glenwood Springs bus to the Glenwood Springs general stop (also called Glenwood Springs Park and Ride)

Bus 3: Glenwood Springs to Vail Transportation Center

Take the Bustang East bus mentioned above from Glenwood Springs to the Vail transportation center

If you’re interested in my full Vail & Aspen itinerary for details on the mountains, where I stay which I preferred, Vail vs. Aspen, head here