Travel to USAFA from Denver airport

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jwoody28

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My son is a cadet at USMA. He and some of his buddies are travelling to USAFA for the football game on 11/2. They are flying into Denver and probably staying near the airport (unless that's not the best option). What is the best way to get to USAFA from Denver? Where do you guys (and gals) think they should stay? Thanks!!!
 
Renting a car would probably be the fastest and easiest option. Parking is pretty easy at USAFA for the football games. I believe there is a $10 fee to park, but that may be just for non-military. The drive is pretty easy (weather dependent) from DIA to USAFA just need to take E-470 to I-25 South to the North Gate Academy entrance.
As far as hotels, there are plenty of options close to DIA and also a bunch near USAFA. The hotels near DIA will have limited food options, but enough to satisfy for one or two meals. Hotels in CO Springs will have more nearby options and there are other things to see and do besides the game.
 
DIA is a long way from USAFA and in a very dreary area (apologies to those who live near the airport). The hotels near USAFA are still a ways from the Springs, so the eating choices aren’t very inspiring. Staying on the north end of the Springs, while farther from DIA, might be the most interesting. Or the southern Denver suburbs of Castle Rock or Englewood.
 
alliern said:
Renting a car would probably be the fastest and easiest option. Parking is pretty easy at USAFA for the football games. I believe there is a $10 fee to park, but that may be just for non-military. The drive is pretty easy (weather dependent) from DIA to USAFA just need to take E-470 to I-25 South to the North Gate Academy entrance.
As far as hotels, there are plenty of options close to DIA and also a bunch near USAFA. The hotels near DIA will have limited food options, but enough to satisfy for one or two meals. Hotels in CO Springs will have more nearby options and there are other things to see and do besides the game.
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Thanks for the response. I don’t believe any of them are old enough to rent a car (I believe you have to be 21, preferably 25) so we’re looking for public transportation with Uber a last resort. I see there is a train and a bus that runs from Denver to Co Springs, but then You have to get to USAFA.
 
MidCakePa said:
DIA is a long way from USAFA and in a very dreary area (apologies to those who live near the airport). The hotels near USAFA are still a ways from the Springs, so the eating choices aren’t very inspiring. Staying on the north end of the Springs, while farther from DIA, might be the most interesting. Or the southern Denver suburbs of Castle Rock or Englewood.
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Thanks. I don’t think dining options are a necessity as they’ll probably opt for fast food. They only want to get to USAFA to look around and for the football game. I’m just trying to help them with ease of travel. Staying away from DIA is ok, as long as it is convenient to their transportation options.
 
So how many kids from USMA are flying out for the game? Perhaps hiring a bus is in order.
 
Bigrod said:
If any of them have their car insurance through USAA since they are military they can rent a car from Avis at 18yo, just a FYI I found that out talking to the clerk over parents weekend.
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That’s good info. I’ll check.
 
You might even check into Air Bnb for a house to rent. Our USAFA cadet and his friends do this all the time when they want to get away for the weekend. Highly recommend renting a car and staying in the Colorado Springs area. With that being said, they will want to allow plenty of time to drive back, drop off their car and get to the airport. I-25 heading back to DIA is notorious for backups and delays.
 
I would also highly recommend renting a car if possible. One thing they need to research is the size of USAFA. It is nothing like USMA or USNA or a normal college campus. It is 18,000 acres and everything is very spread out. If they take an Uber to the gate, it is still several miles to Falcon Stadium. The cadet area is way at the back side of the base and is 4 miles from Falcon Stadium. If they want to look around as you said, there is really nothing within walking distance. A car is a necessity for visitors getting around the base.

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My children have attended camp in Manitou Springs. They needed to get to the Colorado Springs airport to catch their ride to camp. They took an airport bus shuttle from the Denver airport to the C Springs airport. The bus made a stop at USAFA. It was cheaper for us to fly to Denver and pay for the shuttle ride, rather than to fly direct to C Springs. I do not know if there is a shuttle from the gate to the stadium- as others have said the stadium is several miles from the gate. I don't know if the cadet who was dropped off at the gate had a friend drive him to the main campus or if he used some type of shuttle...
 
HawkeyeMom said:
My children have attended camp in Manitou Springs. They needed to get to the Colorado Springs airport to catch their ride to camp. They took an airport bus shuttle from the Denver airport to the C Springs airport. The bus made a stop at USAFA. It was cheaper for us to fly to Denver and pay for the shuttle ride, rather than to fly direct to C Springs.
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Now that’s great info. There’s an airport shuttle between the two airports that stops at USAFA?
 
Stealth_81 said:
I would also highly recommend renting a car if possible. One thing they need to research is the size of USAFA. It is nothing like USMA or USNA or a normal college campus. It is 18,000 acres and everything is very spread out. If they take an Uber to the gate, it is still several miles to Falcon Stadium. The cadet area is way at the back side of the base and is 4 miles from Falcon Stadium. If they want to look around as you said, there is really nothing within walking distance. A car is a necessity for visitors getting around the base.

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Thanks. I had no idea it was so spread out. If they Uber or taxi from Colorado Springs to USAFA are those vehicles allowed on campus? All of the cadets would have their CAC cards.
 
Unless I'm missing something this shuttle company drops at the academy hotel which is non-DOD affiliated almost a mile off base. I would definitely recommend renting a car as well. Though it doesn't seem like the best option, trust me it is unless somethings changed since I graduated
 
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