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Once you come to the internationally renowned mountain town of Aspen, Colorado, you don’t need a car to make the most of your time here. The best way to get around Aspen is on foot for anywhere in the core of this small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. High-end shopping, museums, art galleries, a plethora of dining and drinking choices, and a wide range of festivals throughout the year are all within the range of short, leisurely stroll.

When you book a McCartney vacation rental in Aspen, you can forget the driving and parking hassles that come with getting around a resort location. There are other transportation options that are completely free, or very easy on the wallet, and still give you freedom to do lots of exploring.

So you’ve arrived in Aspen, now how do you get around? Find Aspen transportation resources below or check our Getting Here page for airport and travel information.

Aspen RFTA Shuttles

During the ski season, as well as during some of the summer busy vacation times during the year, all four mountains are accessible by free complimentary shuttle buses that run from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30p.m. All shuttles depart from the main Rubey Park bus station, centrally located in the Aspen core ½ block from the Aspen Mountain gondola plaza. RFTA (Roaring Fork Transit Authority) also provides free service from the Aspen-Pitkin County airport into the core of town. Visit www.rfta.com for more information.

 If you want to explore further down our Roaring Fork Valley - perhaps to the famous Glenwood Hot Springs - RFTA buses also travel the length of valley for a very reasonable fare. 

More Free Transportation in Aspen

Aspen Dial-A-Ride: The Aspen Dial-A-Ride service travels to two different areas of Aspen (one to the east of town, called Mountain Valley, that serves residential areas to the east, and one to the west, called Highlands, that serves Highlands Mountain, the schools and the Aspen Rec Center). Dial-A-Ride can be summoned by a phone call to 970-920-9999. Cash fare is $1/person/ride, and the Mountain Valley service runs 6:30a.m.-1:45a.m. The Highlands service runs 8:00a.m.-4:30p.m., and both run continuously twice an hour. Snowmass has a Dial-A-Ride service as well serving anywhere in Snowmass Village that is not serviced by the Village Shuttle. Just call 970-923-3030.

The Downtowner: For jaunts around Aspen a little further than you would care to walk, or for those unable to make the walk, the City of Aspen offers a shuttle service called The Downtowner providing free rides to and from destinations within the city limits. This fun service runs from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Use the Downtowner app to review the service boundaries and to summon a ride. Or call 877-230-6045.

Other Free Shuttle Options: If you happen to be staying elsewhere outside of the core of Aspen, but still within the Aspen city limits, you still have options. Visit the City of Aspen's website for free bus transportation options for many of the other areas of town. 

Aspen Taxi & Ride Ride App Services

For those less adventurous or from big cities raised on hailing a cab, we can recommend High Mountain Taxi Aspen as an option with great service from Aspen to Snowmass. Phone (970) 925-8294.

Ride Share Apps like Uber and Lyft are also now in Aspen and Pitkin County. Just be sure to download the app in advance in order to request rides.