Getting Around Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs spreads across a wide area along the foothills east of the Rocky Mountains, running north–south along Interstate 25. The Air Force Academy sits to the north, downtown to the south, and Pikes Peak rises to the west. Because the city is so extensive, how you get around depends a lot on where you're staying and what you plan to see. A car is the most flexible option for reaching the region's scattered attractions, but the central districts are compact enough to explore on foot or by bike, and a local bus network plus free shuttles fill in many of the gaps.
Rail, Metro and Tram
Colorado Springs has no metro, light rail, or tram system of its own, so you won't find a train or subway to move you around the city. Rail comes into play mainly for regional travel: if you're arriving from Denver International Airport, one option is to take the A Line rail into downtown Denver and then continue south to Colorado Springs by bus. Within the city itself, plan on buses, bikes, walking, and ride-hailing rather than rail.
Buses and Public Transport
Local public transit is provided by Mountain Metropolitan Transit, commonly called Mountain Metro, which serves both Colorado Springs and neighboring Manitou Springs. Buses run on fixed routes throughout the week, with shorter hours on Sundays, and there is no service on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day. On other holidays, buses generally follow the normal weekday schedule.
Fares are simple and inexpensive. A single ticket costs USD 1.75, with a reduced price of USD 0.85 for riders who are 60 and older or 18 and under. The Metro Card pass is valid on fixed-route buses but cannot be used on Metro Mobility paratransit service. You can plan trips and track buses using the online tools on the Mountain Metro website, and a printed system map can be requested by mail through an online form.
Two free services are especially handy for visitors:
- THE ZEB — a set of zero-fare routes serving high-traffic, low-parking areas of Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs. The three routes are the Downtown Ride, the Westside Ride, and the Manitou Ride. The downtown shuttle runs along Tejon Street every 7–10 minutes between Cache La Poudre and Rio Grande streets, with stops near Weidner Field, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and Colorado College.
- The Manitou Shuttle — a free year-round shuttle operated by Mountain Metro in partnership with Manitou Springs, intended to ease limited parking, especially in peak seasons.
For travel beyond the city, Bustang is the state regional bus connecting Colorado Springs to Denver, Pueblo, Fort Collins, and other statewide destinations — a practical choice for day trips without a car. Bustang Outrider reaches rural Colorado and Denver International Airport, and Snowstang offers seasonal service from the Denver metro area to popular ski resorts. Greyhound also runs buses to Colorado Springs from Denver and other cities in Colorado and neighboring states, with its terminal at 120 S Weber St in downtown.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis and ride-hailing services operate in Colorado Springs and are a straightforward way to cover the city's long north–south distances or to reach spots that buses don't serve directly. They're particularly useful for trips between downtown, the airport, and outlying attractions where walking isn't practical.
Walkability and Biking
Walkability varies by neighborhood. Downtown Colorado Springs is central, walkable, and bike-friendly, with more than 180 independent shops, restaurants, breweries, and galleries, plus views of Pikes Peak and local events throughout the year. Old Colorado City, the region's first permanent town, sits between downtown and Manitou Springs and is known for artisan shops, galleries, bakeries, cafes, and pubs.
Manitou Springs is a historic mountain town that's car-free friendly, with natural mineral springs, boutiques, locally owned restaurants, hiking trails, and the Manitou Incline. Its main center is fairly flat and walkable, though outlying areas have steeper hills that may challenge visitors with mobility concerns.
For two-wheeled exploring, PikeRide is a nonprofit, community-run electric bike share with stations concentrated in downtown Colorado Springs and in Manitou Springs. A downtown-to-Manitou Springs ride takes about 30 minutes by bike. PikeRide also offers self-guided themed tours — museums, brunch, breweries, and street art — along with curated cycling routes. Bike share pairs well with the bus system for first- and last-mile connections.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS) is the closest option, located east of downtown. It's a full-service airport but small enough to get in and out quickly, with free wireless internet and a comfortable place to wait if you arrive early. Airlines serving Colorado Springs include American, Delta, Frontier, United, and Southwest.
Denver International Airport (DEN) is another common arrival point, sitting well north of Colorado Springs. From DEN you have two main choices:
- Groome Transportation runs an hourly shuttle service between Colorado Springs and DEN.
- Public transit — take the A Line rail to downtown Denver, then continue to Colorado Springs on Bustang or Greyhound.
Once you're in the city, the combination of Mountain Metro buses, the free THE ZEB and Manitou shuttles, bike share, and ride-hailing will cover most visitor needs — with a car remaining the most convenient way to reach the region's more far-flung sights.