Beyond Denver’s western edge, Boulder is a city reached by RTD’s Flatiron Flyer, a bus rapid transit service linking downtown Denver with Boulder. The roughly 25.5-mile day trip is easiest to plan around your departure station and the schedule for your return.
- The Flatiron Flyer serves Denver, Westminster, Broomfield, Louisville, Superior and Boulder.
- The Denver departure point is Union Station Transit Center; the Boulder endpoint is Downtown Boulder Station.
- FF1 buses run every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- AB1 and AB2 connect Denver Airport and Boulder.
Choosing a route from the hotel
Union Station Transit Center is the Denver departure point for the Flatiron Flyer, which runs between downtown Denver and Boulder. From Budget Inn Denver Downtown, Union Station is about 4 minutes by car.
Boulder is about 25.5 miles from a two-star hotel in downtown Denver, roughly 35 minutes by road.
The Flatiron Flyer is an 18-mile bus rapid transit service that passes through Westminster, Broomfield, Superior and Louisville. Its Denver stop is Union Station Transit Center, at 1700 Wewatta St, and its Boulder endpoint is Downtown Boulder Station, at 1800 14th Street. Pair the ride with onward local travel from Downtown Boulder Station, which connects with multiple bus routes.
If you’re sorting out the Denver leg before the trip, this guide to getting around Denver from downtown covers the city-side context.
How do you get from Denver to Boulder by bus?
RTD operates the Flatiron Flyer between downtown Denver and Boulder.
Its routes include FF1 Denver–Boulder Station, FF2 Denver–Boulder Station Express, FF3 Denver–Broomfield, FF4 Denver–Boulder Junction and FF5 Boulder–Anschutz. FF1 service runs every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.; check the schedule for other routes and current service before you travel.
Several stops serve the U.S. 36 corridor, including U.S. 36 & Sheridan, U.S. 36 & Church Ranch, U.S. 36 & Broomfield, U.S. 36 & Flatiron, U.S. 36 & McCaslin and U.S. 36 & Table Mesa. Downtown Boulder Station connects with other bus routes, including 204, 205, 208, 225, AB3, Bolt, Dash, FLEX, GS, Hop, Jump and NB.
If you’re arriving by air, AB1 runs between Denver Airport and Downtown Boulder, while AB2 runs between Boulder and Denver Airport. The airport station connects with the A Line. You can also use this overview of Denver airport-to-downtown train and arrival options when planning the Denver portion of your trip.
Planning your time in central Boulder
Downtown Boulder Station is the Flatiron Flyer’s Boulder endpoint and a useful arrival point for planning the rest of your day.
Boulder Junction at Depot Square Station is at 33rd and Pearl Parkway. Downtown Boulder Station also connects with multiple local and regional services. Before you leave the station, check which route serves your next destination and confirm that it runs at the time you need.
Keep the return journey in mind when deciding how long to spend in town. Downtown Boulder Station and U.S. 36 & Table Mesa Station have bus connections, parking, bike lockers and bike racks.
Before you go
Check the official site before you go for current route schedules and service details.
RTD services follow a Sunday/Holiday schedule on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Factor that pattern into your plans if your trip falls on one of those holidays.
For your return, confirm the departure point and the service you plan to use rather than relying on a remembered timetable. The Flatiron Flyer’s Boulder endpoint is Downtown Boulder Station, and other routes connect there as well.
FAQs
What bus goes from Denver to Boulder?
The Flatiron Flyer runs between downtown Denver and Boulder. Its routes include FF1 and FF2 between Denver and Boulder Station.
Where does the Flatiron Flyer leave from in Denver?
It departs from Union Station Transit Center at 1700 Wewatta St.
Does a bus connect Denver Airport and Boulder?
AB1 runs from Denver Airport to Downtown Boulder, and AB2 runs from Boulder to Denver Airport.