Getting to Telluride
Telluride is seven hours from Denver, nine hours from Phoenix, and five hours from Albuquerque, but you can also fly into Telluride Regional Airport.
Telluride’s biggest asset is also its biggest challenge-its remote location: the closest traffic lights are a good 45 miles (72 km) away, so it requires a bit more of an effort to get to, but the trip is well worth it. Located in the scenic San Juan Skyway in southwest Colorado, Telluride is far removed from any major cities. Nearby towns include Montrose (65 miles/105 km south), Grand Junction (130 miles/209 km south), and Durango (120 miles/193 km northwest).
Nearest Airports to Telluride
Telluride is approximately 330 miles (530 km) or seven hours from Denver, nine hours from Phoenix, and five hours from Albuquerque. The nearest international airport to Telluride is Denver International Airport, but you can fly closer to the Telluride Resort via Telluride Regional Airport, just six miles (10 km) away, or via Montrose Regional Airport, a scenic 65 miles (105 km) from Telluride.
Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) is North America’s highest at 9,078 ft and is perched precariously above the valley on a rock outcropping. Taking off over a giant cliff feels a lot being launched off the deck of an aircraft carrier. As you might expect, weather can be a significant issue. The airport often closes and due the short length of the field, only small propeller aircraft are available. Flights are available daily, in season, to Denver and Phoenix.
The most reliable point of air access to Telluride Resort is Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ). The larger runway allows for jet access and in season flights are available to Chicago/O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles.
Located some three hours away, Grand Junction Airport (GJT) is another option.
Airport Shuttle Transfers to Telluride
Box Canyon Limo (www.boxcanyonlimos.com) offers a reliable car service to and from any of the region’s airports.