When to Book Transportation

Timing Your Colorado Travel Reservations

Booking Timeline Quick Guide

How far ahead to reserve

Service Normal Peak Season Holidays
Shared shuttle 3-5 days 1-2 weeks 3-4 weeks
Private car/SUV 1 week 2 weeks 3-4 weeks
Limo service 1-2 weeks 3-4 weeks 6-8 weeks
Wedding limo 2-3 months 4-6 months 6-12 months
Corporate event 2-3 weeks 4-6 weeks 8+ weeks
Uber/Lyft Day of Day of Day of*

*Uber/Lyft availability and pricing vary significantly during holidays. Consider reserving in advance through their scheduled ride features.

Peak Periods

When Colorado transportation books up

Ski Season Holidays (Book Earliest)

  • Christmas/New Year's (Dec 20-Jan 2): Book 4-6 weeks ahead. Absolute peak demand. Prices highest.
  • Martin Luther King Weekend: Book 3-4 weeks ahead. First major holiday crush of ski season.
  • Presidents Day Weekend: Book 3-4 weeks ahead. Often the busiest weekend of the year.
  • Spring Break (March): Book 2-4 weeks ahead. Extended busy period as different schools have different weeks off.

Regular Ski Season Weekends

December through April, Saturday arrivals and Sunday departures are busy.

  • Book shuttles 1-2 weeks ahead
  • Powder days create last-minute demand spikes
  • Mid-week travel much easier to book

Summer Events

  • Graduation weekends (May): Book 2-3 weeks ahead
  • July 4th: Book 2 weeks ahead
  • Labor Day: Book 2 weeks ahead
  • Major concerts/events: Book as soon as you have tickets

Wedding Season (June-October)

Colorado is a top wedding destination. Mountain venue weddings require early booking.

  • Book wedding limos 4-6 months ahead for Saturday weddings
  • Guest shuttles should be confirmed with lodging arrangements
  • Popular dates (fall colors, summer weekends) go first

Leaf Peeping (Late September-Early October)

Fall colors draw visitors to the mountains.

  • Maroon Bells shuttle reservations needed
  • Private tours of scenic drives in demand
  • Book 2 weeks ahead for peak color weekends

Shuttle Booking Details

Shared and private shuttles

Shared Shuttles

Companies like Epic Mountain Express and Colorado Mountain Express run scheduled departures.

  • Capacity limited: Each shuttle holds 10-14 passengers
  • Popular times fill first: Morning arrivals, afternoon returns
  • Booking window: Most open reservations 90+ days out
  • Cancellation policies: Usually 24-48 hours for full refund

What Happens If Sold Out

  • Check multiple companies (they don't share inventory)
  • Look at earlier or later departure times
  • Consider private car (may be available when shuttles aren't)
  • Uber/Lyft as backup (expensive but available)

Booking Tips

  • Book as soon as you have flight confirmation
  • Provide accurate flight details (they track arrivals)
  • Note ski equipment in your reservation
  • Confirm pickup location at your resort

Private & Luxury Services

Cars, SUVs, and limos

Private Cars and SUVs

More flexibility than shared shuttles, but vehicle inventory is limited.

  • Normal times: 1 week ahead is usually fine
  • Peak ski season: 2 weeks ahead for weekend service
  • Specific vehicle requests: Book earlier for specific models
  • Large groups: Sprinter vans book up faster

Limousine Services

Stretch limos and luxury vehicles have limited inventory.

  • Regular service: 1-2 weeks ahead
  • Weekend ski trips: 3-4 weeks in peak season
  • Special vehicles: Classic cars, party buses—book 4+ weeks

Wedding Transportation

The most competitive booking category. Popular dates book up fast.

  • Saturday weddings (June-October): 6-12 months ahead
  • Friday/Sunday weddings: 4-6 months ahead
  • Off-season (November-May): 2-3 months ahead
  • Guest shuttles: 2-3 months ahead

Corporate Events

  • Conference shuttles: 4-6 weeks ahead for multiple vehicles
  • Executive car service: 2-3 weeks ahead
  • Large group (20+ people): 6-8 weeks ahead
  • Major conference in Denver: Book when you register

Last-Minute Options

What to do if you didn't plan ahead

Same-Day Solutions

  • Uber/Lyft: Usually available, prices vary wildly
  • Rental car: Airport has inventory, may be last AWD available
  • Taxi: Available at DIA, fixed rates to some destinations
  • RTD bus: Denver and Boulder routes always available

Check for Cancellations

  • Call shuttle companies directly—cancellations happen
  • Check multiple companies
  • Ask about standby options
  • Be flexible with timing

Expect to Pay More

Last-minute options are typically more expensive:

  • Uber/Lyft surge pricing during peak times
  • Private cars may charge rush booking fees
  • Rental cars at the counter are pricier than advance booking
  • Taxis don't have variable pricing but are generally higher than shuttles

The Nuclear Option

If nothing is available and you absolutely must get to a ski resort:

  • Drive yourself (rent whatever's available)
  • Private charter (expensive but usually available)
  • Fly to regional airport (Eagle, Aspen, Montrose) if seats available
  • Stay in Denver and ski at nearby resorts (Loveland, A-Basin, Winter Park)

Booking Best Practices

Get the best experience

Information to Have Ready

  • Flight details (airline, flight number, arrival time)
  • Number of passengers
  • Luggage count (include ski equipment)
  • Drop-off address (hotel name may not be enough)
  • Return pickup details
  • Special needs (car seats, wheelchair access)
  • Contact phone number

Confirmation and Changes

  • Get written/email confirmation
  • Save confirmation number and contact info
  • Know the cancellation policy
  • Update if flights change (they track your flight)
  • Confirm 24-48 hours before travel

Questions to Ask

  • Is gratuity included?
  • What's the wait time policy for flight delays?
  • Where exactly is the pickup location?
  • What vehicle will be provided?
  • What's the cancellation/refund policy?

Frequently Asked Questions

Booking timing

Can I book a shuttle before booking my flight?

Yes, but you'll need to update with flight details once booked. Most companies require flight information for pickup coordination. Some allow "TBD" flights with a deadline to provide details.

Do prices increase closer to travel date?

Shuttle prices are generally fixed. Private car and limo services may charge more for last-minute bookings. The bigger risk is availability—if you wait too long, your preferred option may be sold out.

What if my flight time changes after booking?

Contact the transportation company immediately. Most can adjust pickup times for flight changes. If your new time doesn't work with their schedule, discuss options—they deal with this regularly.

Is it worth booking a year ahead for a wedding?

For popular summer Saturday dates at mountain venues, yes. Premium vehicles (vintage cars, party buses) may book 12+ months out. Even if it seems early, securing transportation early prevents stress later.

Should I book round-trip or one-way separately?

Round-trip with the same company often offers small discounts and simpler coordination. However, booking separately gives flexibility if your return plans might change. For weddings and events, round-trip packages are standard.

Ready to Book?

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