Getting Around Boulder, Colorado

Boulder is hailed as one of the easiest cities in America to navigate, with or without a car. In fact, Boulder has been rated as the happiest city in the country according to the Gallup-Sharecare Well Being Index, with researchers basing that ranking partly on the city’s walkability and bikeability.

With Boulder’s vast network of multi-use paths, a pedestrian-only main street, and more than 300 miles (483km) of bikeways traversing the city and suburbs, it’s a breeze getting around without a car. You’ll also get a healthy dose of mountain air and warm Colorado sunshine—no wonder the locals are so happy!

For times when you don’t want to walk or ride, Boulder has great public transportation options. Moreover, it’s easy to arrange a rideshare or rent a vehicle. Regardless of your itinerary, here are the best ways to get around Boulder.

Transport Passes: A Worthwhile Investment in Boulder

Boulder’s Regional Transportation District operates local buses and trains, offering several transit passes that help visitors save time and money while getting around Boulder and the Denver metro area.

Day Passes are particularly useful, allowing passengers unlimited bus rides for a day for the same price as a round-trip journey. The Local Day Pass costs $6 and covers travel on local bus routes, while the Regional/Airport Day Pass costs $10.50, covering regional bus routes and travel to and from Denver International Airport.

Staying longer than a few days? RTD also offers a monthly pass at $114 for local transit services and $200 for regional service.

Exploring Downtown Boulder on Foot

Boulder is highly pedestrian-friendly, featuring an extensive network of paths and trails that make navigation easy while enjoying beautiful scenery. Downtown is particularly easy to navigate on foot, as Pearl Street—the city’s main street—is pedestrian-only and lined with popular restaurants and shops.

Pearl Street is also conveniently located near the Boulder Creek Bike Path, arts venues, parks, the public library, and several museums. For leisurely exploring downtown, walking is the best option, especially to avoid parking costs.

Boulder: A Cyclist’s Paradise

Boulder features hundreds of miles of bikeways, including designated bike lanes and off-road paths. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s an ideal location for exploring by bicycle.

If you come to town with your bike, make sure to download a map of Boulder’s bikeways. If not, several bike shops downtown, such as Full Cycle and University Bicycles, offer rentals for about $40 to $60 a day.

Additionally, consider trying the B-cycle system, Boulder’s non-profit bike-sharing program. By downloading the app, you can rent a bike from any of the 41 bike stations around town. A single ride costs $2, with an option for an all-day pass at $8.

Using E-Scooters in East Boulder

Boulder has partnered with Lime to provide e-scooters in East Boulder. This is a fun way to explore areas east of 28th Street, such as Valmont Bike Park and the Flatirons Golf Course.

E-scooters can be used on multi-use paths, but they must be ridden in bike lanes elsewhere. Be aware that this is a pilot program, so the scooters are limited to the East Boulder area and will automatically shut down if taken west of 28th Street or outside the city limits.

Regional Buses for Further Exploration

The regional RTD bus system is convenient, reliable, and budget-friendly. The main bus station downtown is just a few blocks from Pearl Street and serves as the starting point for many local and regional routes.

RTD also operates Boulder’s Community Transit Network, which connects many local destinations and neighborhoods via special routes, such as HOP, SKIP, and JUMP. The HOP is particularly useful for tourists, linking popular attractions and arriving at marked stops every 7 to 15 minutes. Find more information regarding rates, route maps, and schedules on the City of Boulder website.

Shuttle Services: Eco-friendly Transportation

Boulder has several shuttle services transporting visitors to hotels, the airport, and even providing door-to-door service. Green Ride Boulder is efficient and environmentally friendly, and pricing is competitive with rideshare services. The Boulder Shuttle offers regular trips to Denver International Airport every two hours.

For budget-friendly travel to trailheads, Boulder provides free hiker shuttles to popular destinations like Chautauqua Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, making it easy to reach trails without the hassle of parking or transit fares.

Ride-Hailing Services for Short Trips

Lyft, Uber, and zTrip are the most widely used ride-hailing services in Boulder. Rideshares are favored over taxis and can take you anywhere in town quickly. However, be mindful that this may not always be the most economical option—an Uber from Boulder to Denver International Airport can range from $50 to $100 depending on surge pricing. Nonetheless, for short in-town trips, rideshares are a convenient alternative.

Renting a Car for Mountain Day Trips

Having access to a car is advantageous if you plan to venture outside Boulder for day trips to the mountains. Major rental car agencies are available at Denver International Airport, along with Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and Hertz offices in Boulder.

It’s important to note that street parking downtown is metered and can be challenging to find, particularly during evenings and weekends. Additionally, be aware of traffic cameras monitoring for speeding drivers, with fines starting from $40 issued automatically by mail—a true inconvenience!

Accessible Transportation Options in Boulder

Boulder provides several paratransit options for visitors with limited mobility. Via Mobility Services offers on-demand, door-to-door transportation with assistance from drivers. Furthermore, RTD provides a service called Access-A-Ride, offering flexible bus transportation for individuals with disabilities.

City sidewalks are equipped with ramps, and most public buildings, hotels, and tourist attractions have provisions for accessibility. The City of Boulder also maintains a network of accessible trails in the mountains as part of the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) plan. For additional information on accessible travel, consider checking out resources from Lonely Planet’s Accessible Travel Resources.