Getting Around in Vail, Colorado

With its small footprint and free local buses, the resort town of Vail is super easy to navigate. Located along the banks of Gore Creek in the Rocky Mountains, this popular base for winter and summer thrills has hotels, shops, restaurants, bars, and community gathering spaces all centrally located at the base of the slopes.

At the Vail Ski Resort, gondolas and chairlifts come right into town, and travelers can easily walk, bike, or take a free bus to reach pretty much everywhere in the Vail Valley. Whether you come for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, or just admiring the views, here are the best ways to get around.

The Center of Vail is Car-Free – Great News for Pedestrians!

Vail is a very pedestrian-friendly destination, thanks to the car-free streets of Lionshead and Vail Village. Walking paths connect many of the shops, restaurants, and hotels in town, and Vail’s extensive recreation trails make it safe and enjoyable to walk from village to village and beyond. Moreover, even walking beside the road is enjoyable thanks to wide sidewalks and slow speed limits, allowing you to easily access high hills for summer hikes on the Vail gondola.

Free Buses Go Pretty Much Everywhere

Vail’s commendable free bus system is a budget-friendly and convenient way to navigate while you’re vacationing in the mountains. The service is available year-round, with routes and stops throughout the town, making it quick and easy to reach nearly every destination by bus.

You can track buses in real-time and receive updates on arrival times and important announcements via the RideVail Transit website. Consequently, Vail is also taking steps towards sustainability with plans to transition to an all-electric bus fleet by 2032, making it the world’s first sustainable mountain resort in 2018.

Buses that serve outlying routes come equipped with bike racks, making them perfect for those planning to explore the region’s extensive mountain bike trails or do some road cycling in the mountains. Passengers can also bring skis and snowboards, ensuring a stress-free experience on the bus after an enjoyable day on the slopes.

Utilizing the bus system removes the hassle of finding a parking space at the numerous trailheads around Vail, which tend to fill up quickly during the busy summer season. The town actively encourages visitors to take the bus to trailheads instead of driving as part of the Bus to Hike It initiative.

For longer trips to destinations like Leadville, Minturn, Eagle-Vail, Avon, and Eagle, take advantage of the regional ECO Transit bus service, with fares starting at $4. Several Vail Valley hotels provide shuttle buses into the heart of Lionshead and Vail Village for their guests.

Bike Paths Zigzag Through Vail

Whether you’re out for a day of mountain biking or simply cruising from place to place, exploring Vail on two wheels is a breeze and a fun, immersive way to enjoy its stunning scenery. The town has over 15 miles of paved, multi-use recreation paths that can help you access various destinations, with bike racks conveniently located throughout the town.

Mountain biking enthusiasts can discover 343 miles (552km) of trails in the mountains near Vail; visit the Vail Ski Resort website for a detailed map and information on “bike hauls” via gondola to the tops of the trails. Renting a bike is easy with several rental shops in town, including Evoke Outdoors, Wheel Base, and Vail Sports.

Vail is a Park-and-Stroll Kind of Place

With activities and amenities close at hand, many visitors to Vail simply leave their car at their hotel or vacation rental and walk, bike, or take the bus everywhere. Vail is an ideal location for a car-free vacation, contributing to its sustainable accreditation. However, having a vehicle can be advantageous for reaching other towns in the valley or heading to the vast wilderness surrounding Vail.

The primary access route to Vail is Interstate 70, which runs east-west across Colorado. The town straddles I-70, allowing quick access from the interstate. This route also facilitates travel to other towns in the valley as well as nearby trailheads and campgrounds.

Parking in Vail

Many Vail hotels offer on-site valet or self-parking for a fee, often around $45, while some condo buildings and vacation rentals provide complimentary parking for a limited number of vehicles. With excellent walking and biking trails as well as free buses, many visitors may find themselves leaving their cars parked for the entirety of their stay.

Two public parking structures are available in Vail, alongside several free satellite parking lots serviced by the free bus system. The overflow parking area on South Frontage Road is a good alternative when public parking areas fill up.

Parking rates vary by season in Vail. In winter, parking in the Vail Village and Lionshead structures is free for the first two hours, after which prices range from $10 to $50 depending on the duration of your stay. Vehicles entering between 3pm and 3am can park for free.

In summer, parking is free during daytime hours, with a $35 charge for overnight parking. To assist with your parking strategy, the Town of Vail provides live parking updates that indicate the number of vacant spots in the town’s managed parking areas. Additionally, there are charging stations for electric vehicles located in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures.

Rental Cars, Taxis, and Rideshares in Vail

Eagle County Regional Airport serves as the main airport for Vail, featuring all the familiar car rental companies including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Thrifty, and Go Rentals. Some travelers prefer arriving at Denver International Airport and renting a car there for the 120-mile (193km) drive to Vail.

The Vail Valley also offers taxi and limo services for transportation to and from the airport, as well as for getting around town. There are some Uber and Lyft drivers available in Vail, although they are not excessively numerous, which means securing a ride may not always be guaranteed.

Accessible Transportation in Vail Requires Some Advance Planning

For travelers with disabilities, navigating Vail can present challenges, though the resort is recognized for its adaptive skiing options in the winter. At any time of year, the town provides a free paratransit service for individuals who cannot use the regular bus system; however, prior application is necessary. To arrange a ride, complete a paratransit application form and have it approved by a doctor, then request a ride at least one day in advance.

Vail has an ample number of accessible parking spots in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures, along with a few two-hour spaces scattered throughout Vail Village. While some of Vail’s paved paths are wheelchair-friendly, they can pose difficulties for wheelchair users due to hilly terrain and high elevation.

The Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas provide adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons, with some financial support available from Access Unbound, a foundation in the Vail area that aids children and adults with disabilities. For additional information on accessible travel, consult Lonely Planet’s accessible travel resources.