How do I get from Denver Airport to Lakewood, CO

November 23, 2011 7:29 PM

What is the best and cheapest way to get from Denver International Airport to Red Rocks Community College?

I have an interview at Red Rocks Community College and am looking for the best and cheapest way to get to my hotel from Denver Airport. The address of the hotel is:

14700 W. 6th Ave., Frontage Road
Golden, Colorado 80401

I am unfamiliar with CO public transit, but I believe there is a bus and rail system. The website for the transit system is pretty confusing. Which lines/buses would I need to take? Thanks everyone.

posted by atmu to travel & transportation around Denver, CO (9 answers total)

Do you have an Apple or Android phone?
If so use google maps mobile. If not then just use google maps and select the bus icon at the top of the page. The Denver transportation system is linked to google maps and updated in realtime. I was recently in Denver and found it invaluable to get around on public transport.
posted by Poet_Lariat at 7:44 PM on November 23, 2011

The AF will get you from DIA to the Federal Center station, which is a bit to the east off of the 6th Avenue Freeway, and there should be a bus (the 17?) that goes from there to Red Rocks Community College fairly frequently. The AF leaves about once an hour.
posted by heurtebise at 7:52 PM on November 23, 2011

Unfortunately, I don't think you can do this on one bus. You can, for instance, take the AB express bus from the airport to downtown Boulder, then take the GS from Boulder to Golden. There is an RTD booth at Denver airport. They might know a better route. Good luck!
posted by lukemeister at 7:55 PM on November 23, 2011

Awesome, thank you both! I have an android phone so I will definitely do that.
posted by atmu at 7:56 PM on November 23, 2011

Actually, to your hotel (rather than to Red Rocks) you would take the AF, and then the 9, which should put you in walking distance to your hotel.
posted by heurtebise at 8:00 PM on November 23, 2011

Call the hotel and ask them this question. If they know their stuff, they'll know.
posted by zachlipton at 8:20 PM on November 23, 2011

I go to Denver 2 or 3 times a month on business. About a third of the time rental cars can be had for less than $20/day before taxes and, obviously, gas. If you take a bus to an off airport site you can avoid the special fees. Anyway, if you can forego insurance (perhaps its available via your usual coverage or credit card, it may be less expensive than you think to rent a car, especially if the reduced hassle would help you put your best foot forward at the interview and get a sense of whether you want to live in the area.
posted by carmicha at 9:47 PM on November 23, 2011

Google Maps will tell you. Be sure to check for your actual arrival time. I believe the airport bus will be $13, and the transfer from that will work for the local bus.
posted by JiBB at 9:52 PM on November 23, 2011

Nthing everyone that you can map this on Google maps -- I would go ahead and map it now to see how much of an ass-pain the bus will be. Hell, I just mapped it. It looks like an ass-pain to me....you would take the AF, 101 and 16L (at least if you were traveling now). It would take 2.5 hours if it all went well.

Personally, I'd look at SuperShuttle (a shared van service) or a cab. Both of these options wouldn't be nearly as cheap as the bus but would be much easier. Alternatively, I'd break the bus ride into two sections....First, I'd get downtown and hang out down there for awhile -- grab lunch or something. Then get from downtown to your hotel....maybe catch a cab for that part of the trip.

The airport is way out east (northeast really) and your hotel/interview are way out west -- that is why this is so tough.
posted by fieldtrip at 2:00 PM on November 24, 2011