North America > United States > Durango (CO) (DRO)
The Car or no Car advice for Durango (CO) can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Durango (CO) ; 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 Durango (CO) ?
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 Durango (CO)?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚆 The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
This world-famous steam railway is the heart of local tourism. It runs deep into the San Juan Mountains and gives you views that would be difficult to access by car. Crucially, it departs right from downtown Durango. That means you can do the entire experience without driving at all. You simply walk to the station, board the train, and enjoy the scenery. Furthermore, the historic town of Silverton is compact and very easy to explore on foot during the layover.
However, the train is a day trip in itself. Once you return, you may still want to explore the wider region.
🚶♀️ Getting Around Durango Without a Car
Durango itself is small and walkable. You can reach cafés, breweries, the riverfront, museums, and the charming Main Avenue on foot. Local buses exist, although services are limited and mainly aimed at commuters. Still, they can help you make simple hops around town.
You can also cycle quite easily. Trails run along the Animas River, and bike rentals are common. Therefore, if your main goal is a laid-back getaway with scenery, food, and the steam railway, you can genuinely manage without a car.
🌄 When a Car Becomes Very Useful
Durango sits in one of the richest outdoor landscapes in the United States. As soon as you want to explore beyond the town centre, a rental car becomes almost essential. Here are the places that really benefit from driving:
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Mesa Verde National Park – about 40 minutes away. Huge, dramatic cliff dwellings spread over a vast site. No practical public transport.
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Purgatory Resort – about 25 minutes north. Ideal for skiing in winter or hiking and mountain biking in summer.
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San Juan Scenic Byway – one of Colorado’s greatest drives. Goes through Silverton, Ouray, and over jaw-dropping mountain passes. No reliable bus service.
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Haviland Lake and Lemon Reservoir – perfect for quiet trails and picnics. Again, car access is key.
In short, if you want to turn your Durango trip into a wider Colorado adventure, then a rental car unlocks almost everything.
🚌 Are There Any Useful Public Transport Links?
Long-distance public transport is limited. There is no Amtrak station, and regional buses operate only a few times a day. You could, in theory, fly into Durango–La Plata Airport and use taxis or hotel shuttles, but those help only at the start or end of a trip. They will not help you explore.
🛬 Arriving by Air
Durango–La Plata Airport connects mainly through Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. Car rental is available at the airport, and this is the easiest place to pick up a vehicle. Because flight schedules can be irregular, a same-day pickup makes life simpler.
Alternatively, if you are staying only in town and taking the railway, you can skip the car altogether. A shuttle or taxi to downtown will do.
🎒 Who Should Skip the Car?
You can comfortably go car-free if:
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You plan to focus on the Durango & Silverton Railway.
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You just want a walkable base with dining, galleries, and local trails.
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You prefer guided tours. Several local companies run mountain trips by minibus.
🛣️ Who Should Definitely Rent a Car?
A rental car is the obvious choice if:
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You want to explore Mesa Verde.
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You want to drive scenic mountain passes, especially the Million Dollar Highway.
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You want to ski, mountain bike, fish, or reach trailheads beyond town.
Colorado scenery often sits far apart. Distances are long, buses are rare, and the views are extraordinary. Driving lets you shape your own adventure.
Conclusion — Should you rent a car in Durango?
If your trip revolves around historic railways, craft beer, and downtown strolls, then going car-free works extremely well. However, if you want to experience the national parks, the byways, the lakes, and the mountains around Durango, then renting a car is almost essential. Because the wider region is enormous, the rewards for self-driving are huge.
