Getting around Boulder is easy with these top tips

Boulder is hailed as one of the easiest cities in America to navigate, with or without a car. In fact, Boulder has been rated as the happiest city in the country according to the Gallup-Sharecare Well Being Index, with researchers basing that ranking partly on the city’s walkability and bikeability.

With Boulder's vast network of multi-use paths, a pedestrian-only main street and more than 300 miles (483km) of bikeways traversing the city and suburbs, it’s a breeze getting around without a car. You'll also get a healthy dose of mountain air and warm Colorado sunshine – no wonder the locals are so happy!

For times when you don't want to walk or ride, Boulder has great public transportation options, but it's easy to arrange a rideshare or rent a vehicle if you prefer to travel by car. No matter what your budget or itinerary, here are the best ways to get around Boulder.

Transport passes are a worthwhile investment in Boulder

Boulder's Regional Transportation District runs local buses and trains, and it offers several transit passes to help visitors save time and money while getting around Boulder and the Denver metro area.

Day Passes are one of the most useful options, allowing passengers to take unlimited bus rides for a day for the same price as a round-trip journey. The Local Day Pass costs $6 and it covers travel on local bus routes, while the Regional/Airport Day Pass costs $10.50, covering regional bus routes, the regional SkyRide bus service and bus and train travel to and from Denver International Airport.

Staying longer than a few days? RTD also offers a monthly pass at $114 for local transit services and $200 for regional transit services.

Downtown Boulder is best explored on foot

Boulder is a very pedestrian-friendly city, with an extensive network of paths and trails that make it easy to get from point A to point B safely while taking in beautiful scenery along the way. Downtown is particularly easy to navigate on foot, as Pearl Street – the city’s main street – is pedestrian-only and lined with popular restaurants and shops.

Pearl Street is also conveniently close to the Boulder Creek Bike Path, as well as arts venues, parks, the public library and several museums. For leisurely exploring downtown, walking is definitely the way to go, especially if you want to avoid costly parking charges.

Cyclist on Flagstaff Mountain Road, just outside Boulder — Boulder's multi-use paths and cycle routes provide easy access to the countryside © John Kieffer / Getty Images

Boulder was made for cyclists

Boulder has hundreds of miles of bikeways, including designated bike lanes, off-road bike paths, and an expansive network of multi-use paths that are good for both walkers and cyclists. And with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Boulder is a perfect place to explore by bicycle.

If you come to town with your own bike, simply strap on a helmet, download a map of Boulder's bikeways and be on your way. If you’re looking to rent a bike in town, there are plenty of bike shops downtown – Full Cycle and University Bicycles are popular options. Expect to pay $40 to $60 a day for a reliable set of wheels.

Alternatively, check out the B-cycle, Boulder’s non-profit bike-sharing scheme. Just download the B-cycle app and you can rent a bike from any of the 41 bike stations dotted across town (they're easy to spot – just look for the lines of bright red cruiser bicycles and e-bikes). A single ride is $2, plus $0.10 for each minute that you ride, or an all-day pass can be purchased for $8.

Take a spin on an e-scooter if you’re headed to East Boulder

Boulder recently partnered with Lime to bring e-scooters to East Boulder, and this is a fun way to zip around if you find yourself visiting places east of 28th Street, such as Valmont Bike Park or the Flatirons Golf Course.

E-scooters can be ridden on multi-use paths but elsewhere they should be ridden in bike lanes and not on sidewalks. Additionally, the scooters are part of a pilot program, so they are currently limited to the East Boulder area and will automatically shut down if you try to take them west of 28th Street or outside the Boulder city limits.

People walking along pedestrians-only Pearl Street in downtown Boulder — Pedestrians-only Pearl Street was made for walkers © Page Light Studios / Getty Images

Boulder city buses can take you farther afield

The regional RTD bus system is convenient, reliable, and pocket-friendly. The main bus station downtown is just a few blocks away from Pearl Street on 14th and Walnut, and it's the start point for many in-town and regional routes.

RTD also owns and operates Boulder’s Community Transit Network, which connects many local destinations and neighborhoods via special bus routes with names such as HOP, SKIP, and JUMP. The HOP is one of the most useful routes for tourists, connecting many of the city’s most popular attractions and arriving at clearly marked stops every 7 to 15 minutes. Find rates, route maps, schedules, and more information on public transit on the City of Boulder website.

Save money and the environment using Boulder's shuttle services

Boulder has several useful shuttle services that can transport visitors to hotels, the airport, and even door-to-door. Green Ride Boulder is a popular, efficient and environmentally friendly provider with pricing comparable to Uber, while the Boulder Shuttle makes regular trips from Boulder to Denver International Airport every two hours.

Looking for a budget-friendly way to get to the trailheads? Boulder has free hiker shuttles to Chautauqua Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park that operate on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day, making it easy to get to the trails without having to worry about finding parking or shelling out for transit fares.

Hikers walking their dogs in Chautauqua Park, Boulder — Free shuttle buses run to Chautauqua Park at weekends © Blaine Harrington III / Getty Images

Ride-hailing services are good for short trips in downtown Boulder

Lyft, Uber, and zTrip are the most widely used ride-hailing services in Boulder. Rideshares are more popular than taking a public taxi, and can get you anywhere in town you need to go. However, be aware that this is not always the most economical way to get around – you can expect to pay a pretty penny for rides to destinations outside of central Boulder.

As a guide, an Uber from Boulder to Denver International Airport can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on surge pricing. However, for short trips within town, rideshares are a reasonable, quick, and convenient option.

Rent a car if you’re headed to the mountains

Having access to a car is helpful if you’re planning to head out of Boulder for day trips to nearby mountain areas. You can rent vehicles from all the major rental car agencies at Denver International Airport, and Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and Hertz also have offices in Boulder.

Just note that street parking downtown is metered and hard to come by, especially in the evenings and at weekends – you may need to go down a side street or two to find a free spot. Also be aware that traffic cameras lie in wait for speeding motorists. Fines starting from $40 are issued automatically by mail; it can be a real downer when one of these beauties lands in your mailbox!

Accessible transportation in Boulder

Boulder has a handful of paratransit options for visitors with limited mobility. Via Mobility Services offers on-demand, door-to-door transportation services, and drivers can assist riders on and off the bus. And RTD offers a service called Access-A-Ride, providing flexible bus transportation for those with disabilities.

Otherwise, city sidewalks have ramps and most public buildings, hotels and tourist attractions make some provisions for people with disabilities. The City of Boulder maintains a network of accessible trails in the mountains as part of the Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) scheme. For more information on accessible travel, see Lonely Planet's Accessible Travel Resources.