RTD’s AB1 bus links Denver Airport and Boulder in about 63–68 minutes; the standard airport fare is $10.
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After landing at Denver International Airport (DEN), take the bus from Denver International Airport to Boulder by boarding Regional Transportation District (RTD) Route AB1 westbound at Denver Airport Station. The bus runs toward US 36 and Table Mesa, CU Boulder-area Broadway stops, and Downtown Boulder Station.
The fare is the big win: RTD’s standard Airport Day Pass costs $10, far less than a private ride to Boulder. The part to plan around is timing. AB1 is a scheduled airport bus, so a missed departure can matter more than the ride itself.
To compare the public bus with other ground-transfer choices before you decide, check this route after you know your arrival time:
The RTD AB1 Route From DEN To Boulder
RTD Route AB1 is the direct public bus between Denver International Airport and Boulder. The route uses E-470 and US 36, then serves Boulder stops including Table Mesa, Broadway near the University of Colorado Boulder, and Downtown Boulder Station.
For most visitors, the right stop is not always the final stop. US 36 and Table Mesa Station is better for south Boulder, Broadway and Euclid is useful for the CU Boulder area, and Downtown Boulder Station works for Pearl Street and many central stays.
- Use AB1 to Downtown Boulder Station for Pearl Street, central Boulder, and easy local bus connections.
- Use AB1 to Broadway and Euclid for the CU Boulder campus area.
- Use AB1 to US 36 and Table Mesa Station for south Boulder hotels, park-and-ride pickups, and some local transfers.
How Much Does The Denver Airport To Boulder Bus Cost?
The Denver Airport to Boulder bus fare is $10 for a standard RTD Airport Day Pass. RTD’s current AB1 westbound timetable also lists youth 19 and under and active duty U.S. military as riding at no cost with proof of eligibility, while discount fare riders follow separate airport-included fare rules.
RTD publishes the current AB1 airport schedule, fare table, stop list, and parking notes in RTD’s current AB1 westbound schedule. Check it again on your travel day, since airport service periods, holidays, and delays can change the trip.
Payment tip: RTD buses require valid fare before or as you board. Use RTD MyRide, Tap-n-Ride, or another accepted RTD fare method so you are not dealing with cash after a flight.
Denver Airport To Boulder Bus Options Compared
Denver Airport to Boulder bus planning is easiest when you choose the Boulder stop first, then work backward from the timetable. The same AB1 bus can feel like a short airport transfer or a longer cross-town ride depending on where you get off.
| Boulder Stop Or Option | Scheduled Ride From DEN | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| US 36 and Flatiron Station | About 32–33 minutes | Broomfield, Flatiron-area pickups, and some Front Range connections |
| US 36 and McCaslin Station | About 40–42 minutes | Louisville, Superior, and riders meeting someone outside Boulder proper |
| US 36 and Table Mesa Station | About 48–50 minutes | South Boulder, Table Mesa, and park-and-ride pickups |
| 27th Way and Broadway | About 54–56 minutes | South Broadway, local bus transfers, and nearby residential pickups |
| Broadway and Euclid | About 57–61 minutes | University of Colorado Boulder and the Hill area |
| Downtown Boulder Station | About 63–68 minutes | Pearl Street, central Boulder, and the easiest final stop for many visitors |
| Taxi or rideshare instead of AB1 | Often 45–70 minutes by traffic | Late arrivals, heavy luggage, groups, or door-to-door trips where cost matters less |
Where To Board At Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport passengers board RTD airport buses at Denver Airport Station, the airport transit center connected to the terminal. Follow airport signs for Transit Center, ground transportation, or buses after baggage claim.
The safest move is to check the exact gate in RTD’s live tools before leaving the terminal. Airport bus gates can shift, and a few extra minutes walking with luggage can be the difference between making and missing the departure.
Use the destination sign, not just the route number. You want the AB1 direction toward Downtown Boulder via E-470, not an airport-bound bus heading the other way.
How Long Does The Bus Take?
The AB1 ride from Denver Airport Station to Downtown Boulder Station is scheduled at about 63 to 68 minutes on the current westbound timetable. The ride to US 36 and Table Mesa Station is shorter, usually just under 50 minutes.
Real trip time depends on three things: how long you wait for the next bus, whether your flight arrives near a scheduled departure, and traffic on E-470, US 36, and Boulder surface streets. For a flight arrival, build in extra time for baggage claim and the walk to the transit center.
- Best case: you land, walk straight to the station, and catch a bus within a few minutes.
- Normal case: you wait for the next scheduled AB1, then ride about an hour to central Boulder.
- Late-night case: check the timetable before committing, since a missed late bus can leave a long wait.
Where To Stay Near The Boulder Stops
Boulder hotel choice should follow your final AB1 stop. Downtown Boulder is easiest for first-time visitors without a car, while south Boulder and Table Mesa can work better for a quieter base or pickup by friends.
Downtown Boulder Station puts you near Pearl Street, restaurants, and local bus connections. Broadway and Euclid is better for CU Boulder visits. Table Mesa is practical if your lodging, family, or rental car pickup is on the south side of town.
After you know which stop fits your trip, compare Boulder stays on a map so you do not book across town from the bus stop you plan to use:
Use The AB1 Like This
Most travelers should ride AB1 to the stop closest to their lodging, not to Downtown Boulder by default. Downtown is the right stop only when your hotel, meeting point, or local transfer is actually central.
- Before flying: check RTD’s AB1 westbound schedule for your arrival day, especially if you land early, late, or on a holiday.
- At DEN: follow signs to Denver Airport Station and confirm the Boulder-bound AB1 gate in RTD’s live tools.
- Before boarding: have the $10 airport fare product ready through RTD MyRide, Tap-n-Ride, or another accepted RTD fare method.
- On the bus: track your Boulder stop, since Table Mesa, CU-area Broadway stops, and Downtown Boulder serve different parts of town.
- After arrival: use a local bus, short rideshare, or hotel pickup for the final mile if your stay is not walkable from the stop.
The AB1 is the best-value choice for most Denver Airport to Boulder trips. Choose a taxi, rideshare, or private transfer only when you arrive outside a useful bus window, have oversized luggage, or need door-to-door service.
References & Sources
- Regional Transportation District.“Route AB1 Westbound Schedule.”Lists the current DEN-to-Boulder AB1 timetable, Boulder stops, standard airport fare, discount notes, and RTD parking details.