Flying to Telluride, Colorado - Airfare, Flights & Telluride Car Rentals

Some may lead you to believe that because of Telluride’s remote location, getting to this historic mountain is difficult. On the contrary, Telluride’s unique setting allows for visitors to fly in from all over the world. Choose between two major airports and get packing. Read tips for flights and airfare to Telluride, Colorado.

Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)

Most travelers find the ease factor of flying into the Telluride Airport(airport code TEX) the best solution for getting to this mountain town. Situated a convenient 7 minutes from the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, the Telluride Regional Airport affords travelers an opportunity to bypass the hour-plus shuttle ride associated with the region's other airport facilities. Telluride Regional Airport sits atop Deep Creek Mesa and is North America's highest commercial airport. At 9,078 feet above sea level, the airport offers picturesque views of the San Juan mountains. And now - getting to Telluride has never been easier. Direct flights to Telluride and connecting air service is provided by Great Lakes Airlines and America West Express through Denver and Phoenix.

Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

A short and beautiful 1.5 hour drive from Telluride, the Montrose Regional Airport offers year-round access from Denver, Phoenix and Houston. From December through March, there are direct jet flights from Newark and Dallas/Ft. Worth. Witness the beauty of the southern Colorado as you drive from the Montrose Regional Airport to the heart of Telluride, Colorado.

Durango La Plata County Airport (DRO)

Located approximately 3 hours southwest of Telluride, Durango La Plata County Airport is the largest airport for the Four Corners Region and offers attractions such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango Mountain at Purgatory, Wolf Creek and Mesa Verde National Park. Rent a car from the Durango airport and drive the U.S. 550. This stretch of road is often called the “Million Dollar Highway”. Most of U.S. 550 in Colorado is two-lane mountainous highway.

The Million Dollar Highway stretches for about 25 miles in western Colorado and follows the route of U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. It is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. Between Durango and Silverton the Skyway loosely parallels the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. The stretch through the gorge is characterized by steep cliffs and the lack of guardrails, and the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is characterized by the number of hairpin "S" curves used to gain elevation. This drive is stunningly beautiful, but can present difficult driving conditions when storms bring mountain snow.

Telluride Car Rentals

Depending on what airport you fly into for your vacation, you will need to either book a Telluride car rentals or reserve a shuttle. Car rentals offer the mobility to visit nearby communities such as Silverton, Ouray and others. These unique towns add to the vacation experience by witnessing historic Colorado. Car rentals are available at Telluride Regional Airport, Montrose, and Durango La Plata Airport. You may want to consider renting a 4wheel drive vehicle for your Telluride vacation.