Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts
Telluride is beautifully remote and getting here is just the beginning of the Telluride adventure. Most travel by plane, but driving is also a scenic way to travel to our little valley.
Travel By Plane
Telluride has its own small airport just off of Last Dollar Road, three-ish miles from town. The Telluride Regional Airport (970-728-5051) is often a spectacle from the gondola as it has one of the highest, skinniest landing strips anywhere. Montrose Regional Airport (970-249-2303) is just 75 minutes from Telluride and another popular spot to fly in to or out of.
A number of airlines serve the Telluride airport including Great Lakes Aviation, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and America West Airlines. If you're flying on a private charter look into the locally-based FlightOne (970-728-0545), Falcon Flight Charter (970-728-3959) or Telluride Flights (970-728-1011).
Montrose's airport is served by United Express, Continental, Delta and American Airlines.
A number of shuttle services, like Mountain Limo (1-800-LIMO-TXI), Telluride Express and Alpine Limo, will take you on the rest of the beautiful journey. Or rent a car right at the airport with National Car Rental (970-728-9380) or Budget Car & Truck Rental (970-728-4642).
Travel By Bus
Grab the Goose if you'd rather take a seat. The Galloping Goose Transit System is consistent, fun and friendly, and it's almost like riding a tour bus guided by your own interpretor. The buses—one of which is powered by biodiesel eco-fuel—loop the town daily and make daily trips to such faraway places as Lawson Hill, Down Valley and Norwood. Check out the Goose seasonal schedule for exact place and time.
Which ever way you travel in Telluride try your hardest to park your car. Our town is not very big, beautiful to look at, and more often than not, under sunny skies, so it's always a good day for a walk, a ride or eco-friendly public transportation. Carhenge parking lot (cleverly named so for its Stonehenge-rock dividers) is a perfect free-parking lot on west Pacific Street. The lot is serviced by the daily bus transit loop, so park and ride. Metered parking zones are located throughout town, just make sure to check the exact days and times. Check out the town's bus schedule, metered parking zone map and town map on the Town of Telluride's website.
Dial-A-Ride
If you need to reach the outer reaches of the Mountain Village just call Dial-A-Ride. A courtesy phone is located at the main gondola station or ask a Guest Service Host to radio a shuttle for pick-up. Matching eco-friendly gondola service, Mountain Village also utilizes the Toyota Hybrid for its Dial-A -Ride vehicles donned with the Town of Mountain Village logo. Find out more at the Town of Mountain Village.
Travel By Gondola
Of course, who could miss the sky-high gondola system that connects Telluride to Mountain Village? The gondola just turned 10 years old and is the only free transportation system, linking town to town, of its kind in North America. The scenic ride takes about 15 minutes and is open mid-November through early April and late May through October. Seasonal closures take place in the fall and spring for off-season and in its place the Galloping Goose includes the Mountain Village in its bus rounds to Telluride.
Travel By Bike
Rent a cruiser bike if you'd like to see the town a little faster or if you're possibly late for an important date. The bike path runs alongside the San Miguel River beginning at the end of the box canyon and running out to Lawson Hill. Be careful of pedestrian and canine traffic though; it should also be deemed the pedestrian path as it's frequented by dog-walkers and commuters. Town streets are great to ride, just follow the rules of the road and watch out for the steep uphills on Telluride's sunny side. Contact Paragon Ski & Sport or Telluride Sports for bike rental info.
Travel By Foot
Regardless of which street you're on, the best way to travel in Telluride is on foot. You likely won't get lost as architectural landmarks like the historic San Miguel County Courthouse, the Sheridan Opera House, the Telluride Historical Museum and Saint Patrick's Church will keep your bearings for you. Main street (aka Colorado Avenue) runs east-west. The east end is the end of the box canyon valley where Bridal Veil Falls drops 365 feet to the valley floor, and Telluride Peak (some longtime locals and geographic historians dispute its actual name) stands proudly centered between Ajax Peak and Ballard Mountain. It's Telluride's most famous and picturesque shot. On the west end look out onto the open mesas when the sun sets and gaze at the open space stretch of the Valley Floor, Telluride's signature landmark and much-loved land.
Road Conditions
Winter driving can be tricky so be prepared. Both entrances to Telluride on Highway 145 require traversing high mountain passes, Lizard Head Pass from the south and Dallas Divide from the west. The Colorado Department of Transportation will lead you the right way.
For links and numbers on all of Telluride and Mountain Village's must-have amenities and emergency contacts, check out our Essentials page.
Add your comments...