Getting to Telluride
Where is Telluride?
Telluride is located in Southwest Colorado in a remote box canyon of the San Juan Mountains. As the crow flies, Telluride is 67 miles from the Utah border and 65 miles from New Mexico. The closest major cities include Albuquerque, Denver and Salt Lake City.
The San Juans Mountains are one of the most dramatic sections of the Rocky Mountains, and this tiny-but-mighty civilization proves to be one of the most scenic in North America.
Telluride offers immediate access to famous fourteeners, vibrant alpine lakes, and rugged valleys, making it one of the most desirable destinations for outdoor adventures.
Flying to Telluride
There are several international airports within 1/2 to a full day’s drive from Telluride. These larger hubs will have international and domestic flights arriving multiple times a day.
From the international airport, you can either rent a car or use a connecting flight to a smaller regional airport that is even closer to town. Telluride has a small regional airport with flights daily to and from the major international airports listed below.
International Airports Near Telluride
- Albuquerque – 325 miles
- Denver – 351 miles
- Salt Lake City – 376 miles
Regional Airports Near Telluride
- Telluride – 5.6 miles
- Montrose – 68 miles
- Durango – 124 miles
- Grand Junction – 130 miles
- Moab – 151 miles
Insider’s Tips on Regional Airports:
-
Closest + Most Affordable = Montrose Regional Airport
- The Montrose Airport is the best option to find the most affordable connecting or direct flights from larger airports, while cutting down the time you’ll spend driving to Telluride.
- Grand Junction and Durango airports are also good options if you can’t find the flight you want to Montrose.
-
Closest = Telluride Airport
- Telluride also hosts its own regional airport with commercial flights through Denver Air Connections. However, commercial flights tend to be limited and more expensive. But if you’re trying to avoid getting a rental car, this is the option!
Driving to Telluride
Half of the fun of getting to Telluride is the journey! Here are some of the drive times to expect, as well as destinations you’ll want to pencil in for pit stops on the way to Telluride.
From Albuquerque, New Mexico – 321 miles (5 hours 40 minutes)
Must Stop Pit Stops:
- Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
- For the hot springs, wineries, and desert mountain trails!
- Chaco Canyon, New Mexico
- For its amazing ancient cities and jaw dropping night skies!
- Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
- For some of the weirdest (coolest) mud hoodoos you’ll probably ever see.
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- For the biggest cliff dwellings in North America.
From Denver, Colorado – 362 miles (6 hours 20 minutes)
Destinations driving from Denver:
- Breckinridge, Colorado
- A bustling and charming ski town!
- Leadville, Colorado
- The highest town in the United States! Not that kind of high— elevation high!
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
- For the remarkably steep and scenic canyon of the Gunnison River.
- Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Colorado
- Red rocks, desert waterfalls, and oodles of history!
From Salt Lake City, Utah – 366 miles (6 hours 30 minutes)
Destinations driving from Salt Lake City:
- Great Salt Lake, Utah
- Kinda a must, for obvious reasons!
- Manti-La Sal National Forest, Utah
- For all things outdoor recreation!
- Gateway, Colorado
- A town nestled in an incredible red rock canyon following the Dolores River.
- Moab, Utah
- Red rock and slick rock wilderness that seems to go on forever, in one of the coolest desert landscapes on Earth.
Other historic mountain towns worth visiting in the area:
Getting around Telluride if you don’t have your own vehicle
Note! Despite this info we’ve listed below, we admit that It is not recommended to travel in this area without your own set of wheels, as your other options will be limited and pricey. But if you are set in forgoing a car rental, here are some options:
Telluride Express
- Shuttles from Telluride, Montrose, Gunnison, Denver and Hayden Airports
- Shared and Private Rides
- Trailhead Shuttles
- Late Night Shuttles
- (Text) 970-728-6000
- (Call) 1-800-822-4844
- https://letsride.co/locations/telluride/
Galloping Goose
- Public transport through Telluride
- 15 – 20 minute Loops
- 7AM – 12AM
- https://www.telluride-co.gov/254/Public-Transportation
Mountain Adventure Equipment
- Bike Rentals
- 4X4 Rentals
- 970-614-1000
- https://mtn-eqp.com