Getting to Vail, Colorado - Directions and Transportation

Whether by air or by automobile, gettting to the Vail Valley is very convenient.

By Air:

• Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport
  Flying to and from the Vail/Eagle County Regional Airport is so easy, you’ll be forever spoiled. When arriving in Eagle, the baggage claim is a one-minute walk from the terminal, which is directly across from the rental car and shuttle company counters. Then, it’s only a 40-minute drive or shuttle ride to Vail, 30-minutes to Beaver Creek, 20-minutes to Edwards and 10-minutes to Eagle. When departing, the ticket counter is only a one-minute walk to the terminal. There are never any crowds or hustle and bustle to worry about at the Eagle Airport. Winter or summer, several major air carriers fly into Eagle and have direct flights from many major U.S. cities.
  For information on the new Fly Vail Summer program offering direct flights from Dallas/Ft. Worth to the Vail/Eagle County Airport, click here.
  
• VAIL_VALLEY_JET_CENTER
  The Vail Valley Jet Center, located in Eagle, is available for use of private jets. Please call 970-524-1200 for more information.
  Denver International Airports (DEN)
  The award-winning Denver International Airport is only a two-hour drive from Vail. Furthermore, the spectacular drive from the airport into the Rockies and over the Continental Divide is an experience in itself. To fully enjoy the trip, let someone else do the driving as you enjoy a comfortable ride on a custom van from one of the Valley's several shuttle companies.

By Land:
From any direction, the roadtrip to the Vail Valley brings drivers through some of the country’s most spectacular scenery.

• East:
  Coming from the east, Vail is generally accessed via Interstate 70. Gradually climbing from the plains of the Midwest, I-70 reaches an elevation of 5,280 feet at the Mile High City, otherwise known as Denver. The “Big D,” as Vail locals like to call it, is a great place to catch a major-league sporting event, go to an amusement park, see a concert or visit the aquarium. From Denver, I-70 winds up and into the mountains for which Colorado is famous. Vail is less than 100 scenic miles away. For a quick side trip, take Highway 40 north to Rocky Mountain National Park, home to 412 square miles of lakes, mountains, meadows and waterfalls. A trip through the center of the park on Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway in the world, promises glimpses of native bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and hawks. No matter what route you take, the scenery on the trip westbound to the valley is surpassed only by the premier amenities and spectacular settings that await you.
  
• West:
  Traveling eastbound, I-70 passes through hundreds of miles of scenic high-altitude desert. Just west of the Colorado-Utah border lies Moab, a great launching pad for a wide variety of activities. For spectacular sightseeing there are two national parks within a short drive; Arches and Canyonlands. From Moab it's just four hours to Vail, but highlights along the way include the popular wineries of Grand Junction and the famous natural hot springs of Glenwood Springs. Just west of Glenwood Springs, the 14 miles of interstate through Glenwood Canyon are some of the most expensive and spectacular in the country. From Glenwood it’s just 45 minutes of a steady climb from the high-altitude desert to valley's beautiful sub-alpine terrain.
  
• South:
  From the south, there are a variety of routes to Vail, each offering a spectacular sampling of southern Colorado. One of the most scenic drives continues north from historic Santa Fe, New Mexico on Highway 522. In Colorado, take Highway 17, which is flanked by the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range on the east, and the San Juan Mountain Range on the west. A short pit stop at the Great Sand Dunes National Monument offers an opportunity to climb the country’s highest sand dunes (700 feet) and for the more adventurous, a chance to try sand skiing or sledding. Another quick detour to Canon City and you can see the fantastic Royal Gorge  from the canyon floor aboard a train or from the sky on the world’s highest suspension bridge. From there, the trip to Vail winds through the beautiful Arkansas River Valley, over the Continental Divide and through the historic mining town of Leadville. The hour drive from Leadville to the valley is a scenic byway and winds through some of Colorado’s most impressive scenery.
  
• North:
  Travelers often neglect the northwestern corner of Colorado because of the predominately barren landscape. However, this part of the state contains several hidden gems, perfect for the whole family. On the border with Utah, Dinosaur National Monument is a fascinating place for kids and adults alike. Traveling from Dinosaur west towards Vail, the Highway 40 follows the scenic Yampa River with several charming small towns along the way. At Steamboat Springs enjoy some Western heritage and then continue south on Highway 131 crossing the famous Colorado River at State Bridge. Then, it’s just 45 minutes in ranch country to reach your final destination.