Getting around Denver from the downtown area can mean walking to nearby destinations or connecting to RTD buses and rail for trips farther across the metro area. From Budget Inn rooms in downtown Denver, Union Station is about a 22-minute walk.
- Airport rail: RTD’s A Line runs from Union Station to Denver Airport Station.
- Standard fare: $2.75 for bus and rail trips outside the Airport Fare Zone.
How do you get from the hotel to Union Station and nearby transit?
Union Station Light Rail Plaza is about 21 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by car from the hotel. Union Station itself is about 3 minutes by car, making it a practical starting point for rail connections across the region.
RTD’s Union Station Transit Center is at 1700 Wewatta St. From there, the A Line goes to Denver Airport Station; other lines connect Union Station with destinations including Westminster, Mineral, RidgeGate Parkway, Wheat Ridge, Eastlake and Golden. Check the line-specific schedules when planning a connection, since departure times are approximate.
Union Station is also a useful place to orient yourself before continuing by local transit. The Denver Union Station guide covers its transit connections and nearby sights.
Is Denver walkable for tourists from the downtown edge?
Some destinations are within walking distance of the downtown area, while trips to central sights can take considerably longer. Ball Arena and Empower Field at Mile High are each about a 20-minute walk from the hotel.
Other walks take more planning: Coors Field is about a 33-minute walk from the hotel, Civic Center Park about 41 minutes, and the American Museum of Western Art about 40 minutes. The city centre is about 45 minutes on foot. For those destinations, you can compare the walk with the available drive times before setting out.
Ball Arena identifies the Cherry Creek Trail and the shared-use sidewalk on Auraria Parkway as bicycle access routes, with three bicycle racks on its grounds. That gives you a cycling option for the arena area in addition to walking and transit.
Which light-rail lines and fares should you know?
RTD rail lines connect Union Station with the airport and several destinations around the Denver region. The A Line serves Denver Airport Station; the B Line goes to Westminster, the C Line to Mineral, the E Line to RidgeGate Parkway, the G Line to Wheat Ridge Ward, the N Line to Eastlake & 124th, and the W Line to Jefferson County Government Center–Golden.
RTD’s standard bus and rail fare outside the Airport Fare Zone is $2.75; the discount fare is $1.35. Discount fares are available to seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities, Medicare recipients and customers enrolled in LiVE, with proof of eligibility required when using discounted fare products.
Active-duty U.S. military members ride free on RTD, and youths age 19 and under ride free through the Zero Fare for Youth program.
RTD NextRide supports trip planning, mobile ticket purchases and use, real-time vehicle tracking, service alerts and security reports. Its service alerts can cover detours, delays, stop closures and elevator outages.
RTD says schedules vary by line and are traditionally modified three times a year, usually in winter, spring and fall. Check the official site before you go: RTD publishes current schedules and fare details, and its departure times are approximate.
When does a car or rideshare make sense?
A car or rideshare can save time on longer walks or when you are carrying things. The city centre is about 7 minutes by car, Coors Field about 6 minutes, and Civic Center Park about 6 minutes from the hotel. Those drive times are shorter than the corresponding walks, which take about 45, 33 and 41 minutes.
Airport travel is another case where you may want to compare driving with rail. Denver International Airport is about 28 minutes by car from the hotel. The A Line connects Union Station with Denver Airport Station, so you can also build a rail trip around the station connection.
If you are weighing the airport train against a car ride, the Denver airport-to-downtown guide explains the arrival options.
How do you reach Ball Arena and Empower Field?
Ball Arena is about 3 minutes by car from the hotel. The arena says its Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens stop is served by the D, E, H and W light-rail lines. RTD identifies the station at 1700 9th Street and gives the C, E and W lines there; check current service information when choosing a line.
An RTD bus stop beside the arena grounds, at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway, is served by multiple bus routes. All RTD buses and rail vehicles are accessible for mobility aids, and operators are trained to assist passengers boarding or exiting.
Empower Field at Mile High is about 5 minutes by car from the hotel. For a stadium visit, the Empower Field at Mile High guide covers arrival and game-day planning.
FAQs
Does the A Line go to Denver International Airport?
Yes. RTD’s A Line runs between Union Station and Denver Airport Station.
How much is a standard RTD bus or rail fare?
The standard fare is $2.75 outside the Airport Fare Zone. RTD’s discount fare is $1.35 for eligible riders, with proof of eligibility required when using a discounted fare product.
Which light-rail lines serve Ball Arena?
Ball Arena says the Ball Arena/Elitch Gardens stop is served by the D, E, H and W lines. RTD identifies the station at 1700 9th Street and gives the C, E and W lines there.
Are Denver buses and trains accessible for mobility aids?
Ball Arena says all RTD buses and rail vehicles are accessible for mobility aids, and operators are trained to help passengers board or exit.