North America > United States > Colorado Springs (COS)
The Car or no Car advice for Colorado Springs can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Colorado Springs ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Colorado Springs ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Colorado Springs?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is small but efficient. It handles domestic flights from major hubs across the US. The airport sits just 15–20 minutes from the city centre. Rental car desks are inside the terminal and pickups are usually smooth.
Public transport exists, but routes prioritise commuters. Buses do not reach many trailheads or scenic viewpoints. Moreover, frequencies are low. Taxis and ride-hailing services are available, yet they quickly become expensive for sightseeing. As a result, most travellers find that a car opens up far more of the region.
🚌 Public Transport
Transit within the city is limited. Mountain Metropolitan Transit operates a network of local buses. However, services run infrequently and journeys often require multiple transfers. Furthermore, buses do not reach the foothills, the canyons or most of the parks.
Regional links from Denver are better. Bustang runs fast, comfortable coaches from Denver Union Station to Colorado Springs. This makes it easy to arrive without a car. However, once you are in Colorado Springs, onward travel becomes the challenge.
If you plan to stay in the downtown district only, buses and walking may be enough. Yet most visitors come for landscapes, not the city grid. And that is where public transport stops helping.
🚗 Driving and Car Rental
Car rental is straightforward at COS Airport. Major brands operate there, including Hertz, Enterprise, Avis and Budget. Prices are usually lower than Denver. In addition, traffic is calmer than in larger cities.
Driving in Colorado Springs is easy. Roads are wide and parking is plentiful. However, many attractions require climbing into higher terrain. For example, parts of the Pikes Peak Highway sit above 10,000 feet. Weather changes quickly. Even in summer, wind and rain can appear without warning.
South of the city, the road to Cheyenne Mountain State Park is simple. The same is true for suburban attractions such as the Air Force Academy and the large retail districts. Yet you still need a vehicle to reach them.
🏞️ What You Can Reach Only With a Car
Here are the main reasons why driving becomes almost essential:
Pikes Peak Highway
A scenic toll road climbs towards the 14,115-foot summit. Shuttle buses operate seasonally, yet you still need to reach the lower parking areas. Without a car or taxi, access becomes extremely difficult.
Garden of the Gods
This spectacular red-rock park is the city’s star attraction. You can walk inside the park, but reaching it by public transport is impractical. Once you arrive, a car lets you stop at multiple viewpoints.
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
A superb hiking area just west of downtown. No useful bus service reaches the trailheads.
Seven Falls & North Cheyenne Cañon
Again, there is no meaningful transit service. These are among the most scenic parts of the region.
Manitou Springs
This quirky spa town lies at the foot of Pikes Peak. You can take a bus from central Colorado Springs, although the service is infrequent. Exploring beyond the small centre still requires a car.
Royal Gorge Bridge
About 1.5 hours away. It is one of Colorado’s most famous viewpoints. No public transport connects you there.
🚆 Rail and Other Excursions
Colorado Springs has no Amtrak service. The nearest Amtrak station is in Denver. That makes rail-based tourism difficult.
However, the region does offer special tourist railways:
-
Pikes Peak Cog Railway – recently rebuilt. It starts in Manitou Springs. Buses do not connect well, so taxis or cars are easiest.
-
Royal Gorge Route Railroad – departs from Cañon City. This is well beyond any public transport network.
-
Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge – a small seasonal line with no viable non-car access.
These rides are superb. Yet all require a car to reach the boarding points.
🚴 Cycling
Although Colorado Springs has cycling lanes, most riders prefer the outlying trails. These include the Pikes Peak Greenway and the Santa Fe Trail. They offer long, paved routes with gentle gradients. Visitors can hire bikes locally, yet many starting points are not served by buses. Cycling works well once you are on the trail. However, getting to the trails is the challenge.
🏨 Where to Stay
The city is very spread out. Staying downtown makes walking easier. Staying in broader districts such as Briargate or the East Side makes driving essential.
Manitou Springs offers a walkable base for some attractions. Yet it is around 15–20 minutes from Colorado Springs itself.
🧭 Conclusion – Should you rent a car in Colorado Springs?
Yes. A car transforms the experience. Colorado Springs is packed with dramatic scenery, unique railways, high viewpoints and remote canyons. However, almost none of these are convenient by public transport. Arriving by coach from Denver is simple, but exploring the region without a car is difficult. Renting one opens the door to Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the entire Front Range. Without one, your trip will be far more limited.
