Denver Airport to Downtown Sheraton--Transportation Options?
Dec 16th, 2014, 03:07 PM
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Denver Airport to Downtown Sheraton--Transportation Options?
DD and I are staying at the downtown Sheraton the night before taking a tour/shuttle bus to Steamboat Springs for a music/ski trip. Any ideas on the best way to get from the airport to the hotel? I looked at SuperShuttle, but it was $22/person. Then I considered public transportation but couldn't quite figure out if it would get us close enough to the hotel as we will have a week's worth of luggage full of winter gear. Or if someone could tell me a ballpark on cab fare, that would be helpful as well. Thanks.
Dec 16th, 2014, 07:55 PM
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Cab is going to be over $50-60.
The SkyRide bus from the airport is $11/person. It drops you off at Curtis and 19th street, which is a dozen or so blocks from your hotel. You could walk 3 blocks down Curtis to the 16th street pedestrian mall. There's a free bus shuttle that runs up and down 16th street and you could jump on that to get to your hotel.
The SkyRide bus from the airport is $11/person. It drops you off at Curtis and 19th street, which is a dozen or so blocks from your hotel. You could walk 3 blocks down Curtis to the 16th street pedestrian mall. There's a free bus shuttle that runs up and down 16th street and you could jump on that to get to your hotel.
Dec 17th, 2014, 06:39 AM
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The SkyRide runs every hour so if your timing is good it can be convenient or a bit of a wait. For the Skyride you must have exact cash for the fare.
Next year the LightRail should be running but no help this year.
Next year the LightRail should be running but no help this year.
Dec 17th, 2014, 06:45 AM
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Dec 17th, 2014, 06:48 AM
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I have never had a really positive experience with SuperShuttle at DIA. First, at least for us, they tend to delay until they have a full van. Then, of course, it makes a bunch of stops and we are always last. BUT, have never taken it downtown so it might operate smoother.
Dec 17th, 2014, 10:34 AM
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SkyRide is a very nice service. You could take it downtown, then hail a cab to get to your hotel.
Just depends on how much sweat equity you want to put into saving a few bucks, as that might not be much cheaper than just cabbing from the airport. Some things are worth the splurge.
Can't wait to have the LightRail option to downtown!
Just depends on how much sweat equity you want to put into saving a few bucks, as that might not be much cheaper than just cabbing from the airport. Some things are worth the splurge.
Can't wait to have the LightRail option to downtown!
Dec 17th, 2014, 01:50 PM
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I'm assuming you're staying at this Sheraton:
http://www.sheratondenverdowntown.com/hotel-directions
You can get off SkyRide at Union Station, which has just been opened after a spectacular renovation, so it's a good place to be (as opposed to staying to the end of the line and going to the old bus station)
http://www.rtd-denver.com/unionstati...oncourse.shtml
There should be plenty of cabs at Union Station, more so than at the bus station.
From the SkyRide website, note the second paragraph:
SKYRIDE AT DIA
If you need to check route and schedule information, view maps, or plan your SkyRide trip while at DIA, visit the SkyRide sales counter located in the ground transportation area on the west side of the terminal on level 5, inside door 506.
SkyRide curbside pick-up locations at DIA
General information about DIA (flydenver.com)
Due to construction at DIA, SkyRide will drop-off and pick-up on Level 5, West terminal only, across from door #506 near the RTD Ticket Counter, until the new transit center opens in 2016.
Have fun and enjoy Colorado!
http://www.sheratondenverdowntown.com/hotel-directions
You can get off SkyRide at Union Station, which has just been opened after a spectacular renovation, so it's a good place to be (as opposed to staying to the end of the line and going to the old bus station)
http://www.rtd-denver.com/unionstati...oncourse.shtml
There should be plenty of cabs at Union Station, more so than at the bus station.
From the SkyRide website, note the second paragraph:
SKYRIDE AT DIA
If you need to check route and schedule information, view maps, or plan your SkyRide trip while at DIA, visit the SkyRide sales counter located in the ground transportation area on the west side of the terminal on level 5, inside door 506.
SkyRide curbside pick-up locations at DIA
General information about DIA (flydenver.com)
Due to construction at DIA, SkyRide will drop-off and pick-up on Level 5, West terminal only, across from door #506 near the RTD Ticket Counter, until the new transit center opens in 2016.
Have fun and enjoy Colorado!
Dec 18th, 2014, 10:20 AM
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I think you are getting some confusing if not conflicting advice. When we use public transit in other cities we like to keep our options simple. IF you are using the Skyride option I would stay on till end at the bus depot. Little to no advantage in getting off at Union station. Union station is underground so you would have to get to the front of Union station. Second, no idea if taxi options are greater at Union or not. If not, you would still have to walk to 16th St for the Mallride. 16th street is a pedestrian mall going from west of Union Station to Colfax through the middle of downtown Denver. Serviced by a free buses that run the length about every five to ten minutes. It is one of only three pedestrian malls in the US that survived the pedestrian mall craze of the 70s.
The Skyride terminates at the bus deport at 19th and Curtis. It is surface level and, obviously, three blocks from 16th. At 16th you are about six blocks south to your hotel. The buses stop every block just before the light. So walk across the bus lanes and catch the next bus headed south. The hotel is very obvious with a large plaza facing 16th street.
I don't have any experience with taxis at either Union Station or the bus depot so I cannot forecast which location has better taxi service. Denver does not have the taxi culture that you find in larger cities with a lot of roaming cabs. Either way you walk about the same distance whether is Union station or bus depot. I think it would be easier to find your way from the depot especially if you use a taxi and probably a couple bucks cheaper because you are closer.
The Skyride terminates at the bus deport at 19th and Curtis. It is surface level and, obviously, three blocks from 16th. At 16th you are about six blocks south to your hotel. The buses stop every block just before the light. So walk across the bus lanes and catch the next bus headed south. The hotel is very obvious with a large plaza facing 16th street.
I don't have any experience with taxis at either Union Station or the bus depot so I cannot forecast which location has better taxi service. Denver does not have the taxi culture that you find in larger cities with a lot of roaming cabs. Either way you walk about the same distance whether is Union station or bus depot. I think it would be easier to find your way from the depot especially if you use a taxi and probably a couple bucks cheaper because you are closer.
Dec 18th, 2014, 11:05 AM
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I'm the kind of person who would wheel my luggage down the sidewalk a few blocks rather than take a cab. So I'm going to amend my advice because I just looked at the map closer. Union Station is indeed just a block from the 16th Street Mall - so if OP is taking the free bus down the mall to their hotel, it would be easier to schlep their bags 1 block instead of 3.
<Little to no advantage in getting off at Union station. Union station is underground so you would have to get to the front of Union station.>
I'm assuming the SkyRide would drop everyone off at street level in front of Union Station.
Truthfully, the reason I suggested getting off at the old bus depot was because I picked the closest location to their hotel and didn't think about the proximity of Union Station to the 16th Street Mall. But since Union Station is a bit closer to the mall, I'd get off there now that I'm aware of that fact.
<Little to no advantage in getting off at Union station. Union station is underground so you would have to get to the front of Union station.>
I'm assuming the SkyRide would drop everyone off at street level in front of Union Station.
Truthfully, the reason I suggested getting off at the old bus depot was because I picked the closest location to their hotel and didn't think about the proximity of Union Station to the 16th Street Mall. But since Union Station is a bit closer to the mall, I'd get off there now that I'm aware of that fact.
Dec 18th, 2014, 05:13 PM
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The OP has choices, from our different ideas.
This is the thinking behind my recommendation above, to get off at Union Station:
#1. I would not schlep my stuff further, in order to catch the free shuttle on 16th.
After traveling to DIA, getting luggage, then catching SkyRide to downtown-- I'd pay for a cab to the hotel.
Plus that mall shuttle can be packed with people and doesn't easily accommodate luggage.
But it's an option.
#2. The experience would be day & night different, between the 'quality' of the two bus 'stops'.
The old Greyhound bus depot is funky, last I saw it. If I were visiting a new city, I would be disappointed to stop there. I wouldn't even use the bathrooms there. And there's no real food offered, is there?
Union Square is the latest crown jewel of Denver to be unveiled. I'm sure cab drivers can be easily found, since there's restaurants, nightlife and a hotel at Union Station.
I am dying to go down there myself, to see the historic old building renovated. It's been a long time coming.
So in that sense, I consider Union Station a tourist attraction, and a very pleasant place to transfer.
That is its purpose, as well-- to accommodate travelers,in style. Contrasted with the dingy old Greyhound station.
A few blocks' distance doesn't matter much in cab fare between the old Greyhound bus depot or new Union Station. So that's a moot point.
The OP could ask at the hotel, what they would do.
This is the thinking behind my recommendation above, to get off at Union Station:
#1. I would not schlep my stuff further, in order to catch the free shuttle on 16th.
After traveling to DIA, getting luggage, then catching SkyRide to downtown-- I'd pay for a cab to the hotel.
Plus that mall shuttle can be packed with people and doesn't easily accommodate luggage.
But it's an option.
#2. The experience would be day & night different, between the 'quality' of the two bus 'stops'.
The old Greyhound bus depot is funky, last I saw it. If I were visiting a new city, I would be disappointed to stop there. I wouldn't even use the bathrooms there. And there's no real food offered, is there?
Union Square is the latest crown jewel of Denver to be unveiled. I'm sure cab drivers can be easily found, since there's restaurants, nightlife and a hotel at Union Station.
I am dying to go down there myself, to see the historic old building renovated. It's been a long time coming.
So in that sense, I consider Union Station a tourist attraction, and a very pleasant place to transfer.
That is its purpose, as well-- to accommodate travelers,in style. Contrasted with the dingy old Greyhound station.
A few blocks' distance doesn't matter much in cab fare between the old Greyhound bus depot or new Union Station. So that's a moot point.
The OP could ask at the hotel, what they would do.
Dec 18th, 2014, 05:52 PM
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FYI, Union Station website:
http://unionstationindenver.com
http://unionstationindenver.com
Dec 18th, 2014, 06:45 PM
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..I'm assuming the SkyRide would drop everyone off at street level in front of Union Station.....
Shouldn't assume unless you know. Check the schedule. The Skyride uses the underground bus terminal in the block north of Union station. 17th & Wewatta. From there either walk north, take escalator up to ground level and catch the Mall Bus at the Light Rail station and the beginning point for the bus or walk south under the tracks, up to ground level and through the front of Union Station and then over to 16th for the bus. The walking distance will be slightly shorter than from the bus station at 19th but not substantially - maybe half a block.
The main reason I recommend the bus depot/19th was the simplicity. Walk out the door and keep walking west. If by chance you make a mistake and hit 20th street then you know you are walking in the wrong direction. So turn around.
One problem with the underground bus terminal at Union Station is that if you come up too soon you hit the tracks north of the station with no way across other than to go up and over or back down and under. It is just another little wrinkle.
Shouldn't assume unless you know. Check the schedule. The Skyride uses the underground bus terminal in the block north of Union station. 17th & Wewatta. From there either walk north, take escalator up to ground level and catch the Mall Bus at the Light Rail station and the beginning point for the bus or walk south under the tracks, up to ground level and through the front of Union Station and then over to 16th for the bus. The walking distance will be slightly shorter than from the bus station at 19th but not substantially - maybe half a block.
The main reason I recommend the bus depot/19th was the simplicity. Walk out the door and keep walking west. If by chance you make a mistake and hit 20th street then you know you are walking in the wrong direction. So turn around.
One problem with the underground bus terminal at Union Station is that if you come up too soon you hit the tracks north of the station with no way across other than to go up and over or back down and under. It is just another little wrinkle.
Dec 18th, 2014, 07:05 PM
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Opps, meant to include the free MallRide map.
http://www.rtd-denver.com/FREEMallRide.shtml
When you see the map you will see another oddity of downtown Denver. The streets are laid out about 45 degrees off of North. Also, Denver has dropped the "Denver shuffle" where you could walk diagonally through an intersection. Now you have to keep it square. Also, watch the walk signs very carefully. There are not always tied to green and red lights.
http://www.rtd-denver.com/FREEMallRide.shtml
When you see the map you will see another oddity of downtown Denver. The streets are laid out about 45 degrees off of North. Also, Denver has dropped the "Denver shuffle" where you could walk diagonally through an intersection. Now you have to keep it square. Also, watch the walk signs very carefully. There are not always tied to green and red lights.
