Are you craving the mountains of Colorado? You’re not alone. Colorado offers year-round outdoor fun. It is a well-known skiing destination during the winter, and the summer provides beautiful scenery for hiking and camping. (Check out this article for fun things to bring while camping!) Although there are several airports in the state, most people fly into Denver.
To get the cheapest flight to Colorado, Denver is your best bet during the off-season months in spring or fall. Frontier Airlines, which is based in Denver, will give you the cheapest ticket. However, if you’re looking for a more comfortable flying experience, Delta and United are also good options.
When looking at different airlines for the cheapest option, you’ll want to consider more than just the price of the ticket. Be sure to look into the airlines’ baggage rules. Many airlines no longer include a free carry-on in the price of a basic economy ticket. If you’re a family of 4 traveling for a week, you’ll likely be paying for multiple bags. The extra fees can add up!
Flying can be a stressful experience for many, but there are several effective ways to relax when flying and make your journey more enjoyable
What is the Cheapest Month to Fly to Colorado?
According to cheapflights.com, September is the cheapest month to fly to Colorado. Like many other tourist destinations, flight prices go up during holidays and breaks from school. December and July are particularly expensive months.
Airfare takes a dip right after the busy winter holidays, so January can actually be a cheaper time to fly for those who want to enjoy the snow in the mountains. To avoid the costs and crowds of high season, it is best to travel in the spring or fall. April, May, September, and October are low season months. You’ll get the benefits of lower hotel rates on top of lower flight rates.
Currently, flights are unbelievably low. The pandemic has lead to less travel, and airlines have dropped their prices to try to encourage travel. Currently, flights in February and March are cheaper than in September. Keep in mind that these low prices are temporary.
What Are the Cheapest Airlines Flying into Colorado?
Non-stop flights are cheaper than flights that require layovers. Since Denver is such a popular city, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a non-stop flight from another major city. Google Flights can be your go-to site for looking up flight details.
It’s easy to use and will show you the ticket prices of all of the airlines. Read below to find out the pros and cons of Frontier, Delta, United, and Spirit.
Fly with Frontier Airlines (The Cheapest Option)
Fares Done Right.” Frontier offers non-stop flights to Denver from many cities all over the United States.
You get one personal item, like a small backpack or purse, for free. Carry-ons and checked bags have fees. Add your baggage costs to get an accurate price for the total cost of your flight. Carry-on luggage and checked bags cost an additional $38 each for one way.
A round trip will cost you $76 for one bag. Pay for your carry-on or checked bag when you buy your ticket to get the best rate. The price goes up to $42 if you wait until you check-in for your flight. Do not wait until you get to the gate- you will pay nearly double!
Flights are priced low for a reason. There are no TVs or access to WiFi on Frontier flights. You won’t get a complimentary snack and drink as you do on more high-end airlines, so come prepared with a snack and a book in your backpack.
Fly with Delta Airlines
Delta has many flights to Denver, which means you’ll have multiple flight options to choose from within the timeframe you want to fly. Delta offers non-stop flights to Denver from Delta hub cities:
- New York City (La Guardia and Kennedy), NY
- Boston, MA
- Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN
- Detroit, MI
- Cincinnati, OH
- Atlanta, GA
- Los Angeles, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Salt Lake City, UT
A benefit of Delta is that you get one carry-on bag and one personal item included in the price of your ticket. If you can fit everything you’ll need for your trip in a carry-on suitcase, then Delta could be the cheapest option for you.
Your first checked bag will cost you $30 (or $60 roundtrip), and your second will be $40 (or $80 round trip). However, a perk of having the Delta SkyMiles credit card is a free checked bag with each plane ticket.
You’ll get a more comfortable experience with Delta than with Frontier. For example, you’ll get a complimentary snack and beverage in addition to an individual TV for entertainment.
The cheapest option, basic economy, has a downside- you do not get to pick your seat. You will be assigned a seat when you check-in. This may not matter to you if you care more about saving money than being next to the window.
Fly with United Airlines
United also has many non-stop flights to Denver from many cities. The basic economy experience with United is similar to Delta. If you want to pick your seat, you’ll have to pay an extra fee. This could mean that you don’t sit with the people you are traveling with if you opt to save the money.
On your flight, you’ll receive the same comforts as you would with the standard economy: food and beverage, TV, and WiFi. Depending on how lengthy your flight is, these little bonuses are absolutely worth the price.
You are allowed one free personal item to go under your seat in the basic economy for flights within the United States. Unlike Delta, you do not get a complimentary carry-on in basic economy.
The only exception to this rule is if you are a MileagePlus Premier member, in which case you are allowed to bring a full-sized carry-on bag. If you want to bring a carry-on suitcase and you are not a MileagePlus Premier member, you will need to check it just like you would a regular-sized suitcase. The fee for checking your 1st bag is $30 (or $60 roundtrip) and $40 for your 2nd bag (or $80 roundtrip). Pay for your bags ahead of time online to avoid additional fees.
Fly with Spirit Airlines
Spirit is another low-cost airline like Frontier. A downside to Spirit is that the airline has limited flights to Denver. But, if you’re not on any certain timeline, it should be easy enough to find one that fits with your schedule. If you want to go the low-cost route, Frontier will offer you more flight options from more cities.
The baggage situation is similar to Frontier and United. You get one personal item, like a small backpack or purse, for free. A carry-on bag will cost you about $32, and your 1st checked bag will be $27. Pay for your bags when you buy your ticket to get the best rate. If you wait until you check-in for your flight, you will pay about $10 more.
For those big fans of Spirit, you can join their “Fare Club” for a low cost, yearly fee of around $60. After that you’ll get insider info on more affordable rates and exclusive deals.
(No matter which airline you choose, there is always a way to fly business class cheap. Check out that article to learn how!)
Offset Flight Costs with Affordable Transportation in Colorado
While you might be able to find a cheap flight, it might not be enough to put you under budget as much as you’d like. One secret way to make flying more affordable is to pinch pennies elsewhere, like on transportation once you’ve reached your destination. In this case, it’s Colorado.
If you fly to Colorado, then you won’t have a car once you get there. Many people choose to rent a car for day trips to cities and parks just outside of Denver. For instance, Rocky Mountain National Park is about an hour and a half drive from Denver. You can conveniently rent a car from the airport.
For getting around Denver, use public transportation or walk. Parking in downtown Denver can be expensive, so this is your cheapest option. If you get a hotel in the downtown area, you will be able to walk, bike, or use the light rail system to explore. Check out the Regional Transportation District website for maps and fares of the light rail.
If you don’t want to stay in Denver, you can take a shuttle from the Denver airport to other towns. There are multiple companies that will drive you to places such as Breckenridge, Vail, or Aspen, where you can stay at a ski resort right in the mountains. Epic Mountain Express and Peak 1 Express are companies that offer shared shuttle services and private vehicles.
Taking Advantage of Travel Credit Cards
Another way to save money on flights is to use credit cards that will give you miles points to use for travel. Before applying for a card, research the different types of rewards.
Travel credit cards, like the Capital One Venture credit card, will give you miles for every dollar spend. You can redeem those miles for flights from any airline or other travel-related costs like hotel stays.
Capital One Venture credit card has an annual fee of $95, but the fee could be worth it if you travel frequently. Just be sure to pay your credit card bill on time every month by setting up an automatic payment.
Most airlines also have their own reward program to encourage customer loyalty. You earn miles every time you use the card, but you can only redeem those miles on flights from that airline.
Sometimes these cards have an annual fee. For example, Delta’s SkyMiles card has a $250 annual fee, but members get a free checked bag with Delta flights and one free companion ticket a year.
If you fly somewhere within the United States that costs more than $250 per ticket, the fee will be worth it. If you have a favorite airline, check out their rewards program. Again, make sure you pay off the credit card every month so that you don’t pay late fees.
(Even if this is a last minute decision, there are some trick you can do to get cheap last minute flights!)
Conclusion
In summary, Frontier is the cheapest airline in Denver. But, to calculate the total cost of your flight, consider how much luggage you’ll need to bring. Frontier and United charge a baggage fee for carry-on sized bags. If you’re packing heavy for skiing, then Delta may be your best option because you get a free carry-on with a necessary economy ticket.
Looking for ways to make your cheap flight to Colorado more enjoyable? Check out our guide on fun things to do on flights and discover entertaining activities that will keep you engaged and entertained throughout your journey.
After flying into the state, make sure to take advantage of the many wonderful things to do in Colorado.