Denver City Guide - Getting Around

Denver has an excellent public transport system run by the Regional Transport District (RTD) (tel: (303) 299 6000; website: www.rtd-denver.com). RTD has 180 bus routes, a light rail line and a number of special services, including the Skyride airport buses.

The light rail runs every 10 minutes between 0400-0200, and has 24 stops. The main line is between 1-25 Streets and Broadway to 30th Street and Downing Street, including six stops situated in Downtown. An extension runs south to Mineral Avenue and Santa Fe in the suburb of Littleton.

The local bus service is comprehensive, covering all areas in Metro Denver and Greater Denver. Times vary on the different routes but generally operate between 0500 and 2400. Some buses stop running between 1800 and 1900, although others on very busy streets run until after midnight.

You can buy tickets and passes at RTD sales outlets, which include the Market Street Station, Civic Center Station, Denver International Airport west terminal and selected metro-area King Soopers and Safeway stores.

The free Mall Ride shuttle runs between Broadway and Union Station, daily 0514-0135, and stops at every junction. The Skyride airport service has 30 stops, including Denver International Airport (see Getting There By Air).

Taxis can be hailed on the street but they rarely stop. Visitors can instead find them at taxi ranks outside the major hotels and the bus and train stations, or telephone for one in advance. There are two reputable cab companies in Denver - Yellow Cab (tel: (303) 777 7777) and Metro Taxi (tel: (303) 321 5400). Tipping is customary, usually 15% of the fare.

A car is not necessary for visits limited to Downtown Denver, as everything is within walking distance or accessible by public transport. Getting around by car is easy outside of the peak rush hour periods (0700-0900 and 1600-1800), when there is much congestion on major roads such as the I-25, I-70 and US36 to Boulder.

Parking is expensive in Downtown and although most of the major hotels have parking facilities for their guests, there is still a charge. Most blocks in Downtown either have parking garages or on-street, metered parking.

All major car hire companies have offices in the city, including Avis (tel: 1 800 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: 1 800 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: 1 800 800 3665; website: www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel: 1 800 261 7331; website: www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: 1 800 654 3001; website: www.hertz.com), National (tel: 1 800 227 3876; website: www.nationalcar.com) and Thrifty (tel: 1 800 847 4389; website: www.thrifty.com).

The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 years, although those under 25 will have to pay a higher premium. For British nationals, a full UK driving licence will suffice. Other foreign drivers will require an International Driving Permit and a full licence from their own country. A major credit card is also required to cover the deposit and insurance excess.

Cherry Creek Bike Rack (tel: (303) 388 1630; website: www.cherrycreekbikerack.com) hires out bicycles for up to four hours, overnight, or by the week. Child bikes and trail-a-bikes are also available.