Getting from A to B in Colorado Springs is a breeze when you travel by car. Without four wheels, it can be trickier, particularly if you want to reach outlying sights like the Garden of the Gods or Pikes Peak. However, public transport works well downtown, and many locations are easy to reach by bike or on foot.
Road trippers can easily access the Springs from I-25, while air travelers can pick up a car on arrival at Colorado Springs Airport, located just 20 minutes east of downtown. Moreover, Denver International Airport is conveniently just an hour and a half away. Once you reach downtown, take advantage of local buses or explore the town’s walkable, bikeable blocks at your own pace.
Here are some of the best methods to get around Colorado Springs.
Car
Like most urban hubs in Colorado, Colorado Springs is a drivers’ city, making it easiest to get around by car. The city spans several exits along I-25, with helpful signage directing you into the center. Travelers will find that GPS and Google Maps are accurate and reliable, while gas stations are plentiful.
Generally, parking is available at most attractions, with coin and credit card meters downtown as well as free and paid parking lots widely accessible at major sights. During the high season, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, parking can be in high demand in certain areas, including downtown Manitou Springs and the small parking lots serving popular hiking trails. Arriving early in the day or visiting during the week can be effective strategies to beat the crowds.
If you don’t have your own vehicle, rideshare apps such as Lyft and Uber can help you find a ride to destinations within city limits and nearby sights like the Garden of the Gods. For day trips to the top of Pikes Peak or visiting the Royal Gorge, consider renting a car; major rental chains are represented at the airport.
Bus
For downtown transportation in Colorado Springs, Mountain Metro Transit runs bus services throughout the city, offering real-time My Next Bus information available on Google Maps. Most journeys begin at the main Downtown Terminal, located at the junction of East Kiowa St and North Nevada Ave, with basic adult fares starting at $1.75 ($0.85 for seniors). Day passes cost $4, and travelers can also purchase 20-ride ticket bundles and consecutive 31-day tickets. Bus passes can be paid for in cash on board, purchased online, or acquired from local grocery stores like King Soopers or Safeway. For longer journeys, Colorado Springs is connected to cities across the region by Greyhound and Bustang buses.
Parking is limited in Manitou Springs, but visitors can park outside the center and take the convenient (and free) Manitou Shuttle bus. Route 33 takes passengers to the cog railway and Barr trailhead from Memorial Park, while the summer-only Route 36 heads to downtown along Manitou Avenue from the free parking lot at Fields Park.
Bike
You’ll find bike lanes and routes throughout downtown, with rental e-bikes available through PikeRide. Refer to the town website for a map of routes. There are 40 PikeRide hubs around town (marked on Google Maps) where bikes are available for hourly rental; just download the app to get started. You’ll pay $1 to start and then $0.15 per minute; a 24-hour pass is available for $10.
Rail
While Colorado Springs lacks an urban rail system, visitors can enjoy some iconic railway experiences in the surrounding hills. Over in Manitou Springs, the historic Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway has been transporting visitors to the summit of Pikes Peak for 130 years. The charming red train departs from Ruxton Ave in Manitou Springs several times a day. Many hikers who reach the top of Pikes Peak on foot utilize the railway as a convenient way to travel back down.
Heading south, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad provides travelers with a unique experience to explore the Royal Gorge and the Colorado Rockies. Trains depart up to four times daily throughout the year from the Santa Fe depot, conveniently situated just off the US-50 in Cañon City. During the summer months, visitors to Cripple Creek can hop aboard the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad to learn about gold mining history and see some of the area’s historic mines and stunning scenery.
Accessible Transportation in Colorado Springs
When it comes to accessible travel, Colorado Springs is well-equipped. The city is home to the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum and Training Center, and city officials have installed or retrofitted more than 6,000 pedestrian ramps throughout the city limits to improve accessibility.
Visit Colorado Springs has an online guide highlighting accessible attractions around the city, including the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum, the Broadmoor Seven Falls elevator to Eagle Nest viewpoint, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Garden of the Gods, and many more. There are also numerous accessible walking trails and playgrounds, such as John Venezia in Briargate and Memorial Park downtown.
