Help Planning our Trip

[scot30316]

So I knew I had a wonderful wife but this was reinforced on Christmas when I open up a peculiar present of two low back camp chairs and a printout of Fri/Sat Telluride Tickets. 

So we will be leaving Atlanta on Wednesday 18th and are staying at a hotel. I think it is The Peaks. We are scheduled to checkout there on the 23rd (Monday). I've been tasked with flights and possible extension of our trip for a few more days to other wonderful destination.

Prelim flight checking shows Denver is the cheapest to fly into for us but it is 6+ hours away so I kind of scratch that off the list. Telluride is the most expensive and Durango seems to be the middle ground. Has anyone flown into Durango and is it a seemingly good choice? We would be renting a car for our trip, knowing it will just be parked for a few days while we are actually in Telluride.

After Telluride I was considering Santa Fe, I've never been but it is one of her favorite places. Looks to be about 2 hours from Durango. Any thoughts on Santa Fe or perhaps another destination in that region, we won't have camping stuff to bring with us so hotels only.

[zack_adcock]

Telluride airport is SMALL. Durango is a better option, despite the drive. Denver is further, but with more options for flights. I've never flown, personally, but my brother-in-law has. He likes to fly into Durango.  In the past, there have also been some Durango-Telluride shuttle services that might be cheaper than paying for a car rental for your car to just sit there.

Santa Fe is awesome and not too far from Durango. Taos is also awesome and would be a viable alternative to Santa Fe -- it's a bit more artsy and it's less touristy than Santa Fe. I had a more relaxing time in Taos, personally, if that's what you're up for after the festivation. My wife and I have had really good luck in both places using VRBO.com for lodging.

To my memory, though Santa Fe is more like 3.5-4 hr from Durango. In light of that, another option is that you could fly into Santa Fe, esp. if you planned to spend time there afterwards. It's about 6 hr from Telluride, like Denver, though.

Good luck! Sounds like a fun trip!

[FaceOnMars]

If the prices were equal (or close), I'd always choose to fly out of Telluride over Durango, Montrose, or GJ.   Door to door, the airports in GJ & Durango are about equivalent driving times to Telluride @ about 2hrs ... with Montrose being the closest at about 1:15.

If you're considering Santa Fe, then I'd suggest looking at Albuquerque ... it's only about an hour from Santa Fe and about 5:30 - 6:00 to Telluride (if I remember correctly) ... slightly shorter than DIA.

[AnythingAtAll]

Consider flying in/out of Albuquerque. From ABQ it's 5 and 1/2 hours to Telluride and one hour from Santa Fe.  Santa Fe's airport is also small with limited flights.

Flights to ABQ and rental car will be cheaper than either Durango or Santa Fe.

IMO, if it works, overnighting in Durango en route is worthwhile.


And Durango could be 2 hours from Santa Fe if your car had wings, but it's 3+ due to small winding roads.

[jlarsp]

We fly in every year from Chicago and usually fly to Montrose, which is much cheaper than flying directly to Telluride, and is a beautiful drive of just over an hour to Telluride. It's a great little airport--easy in and out and a good selection of rental vehicles.
Wherever you fly in to, you're going to have a wonderful time!

[TellurideTom]

Montrose would be the closer of all the airports besides Telluride so I can't see driving almost as long as the Denver destination to save a few dollars.
Another savings suggestion is to fly into Montrose and rather than renting a car that's just going to sit for a few days take the Telluride Express shuttle.
 

[mountainjam]

I can't provide much advice when it comes to airports but it sounds like Montrose might be a good option. If you did decide on Montrose I can confirm the drive to Telluride is a beautiful one! Once you turn in Ridgway and go over Dallas Divide the views are incredible. Driving that stretch of road from Ridgway to Telluride each June is always a highlight for me.

As for your post-festival trip destination another option to consider is staying and exploring southwest CO. Ouray and Silverton are small but fun to explore (the Million Dollar Hwy is another beautiful drive) and from Silverton you would only be another hour from Durango so you could always head down there. Another option would be to head back to Montrose and drive through the Black Canyon and then check out Gunnison and Crested Butte. I like both Santa Fe and Taos and think either is a good option but I'm partial to the beauty of CO, especially in the San Juans.

But I have a feeling you will have a great trip regardless - enjoy!

[GreyFoxDoc]

Not sure I'd fly anywhere with camp chairs.....I'm flying from Connecticut, first time,.....planning on buying  all equipment  near Denver....

[GreyFoxDoc]

...and saving on  luggage fees.....Anybody  mail or ship tents,bags,tarps ,chairs??
It'll be  a scenic 7 hours of driving.....heck , Montreal is closer to  me than Denver to Telluride, but the flight times and price was  right....


First year in 20 that I won't be at GreyFox, but  both Telluride  and Newport Folk  will also be a first in 2014!!!

[Turtle]

Not sure I'd fly anywhere with camp chairs.....I'm flying from Connecticut, first time,.....planning on buying  all equipment  near Denver....

 

Drop it all off at The Salvation Army or Goodwill when you're done with it.

Nice little donation and good karma. 

 

[completejohn]

As stated earlier, Albuquerque is an easy 5.5 hour drive to T-ride, and Satan (oops) Fe is just up the way.  The road from SF to T-ride is a little less direct, so going THRU SF doesn't really make much sense.  Just head there for the day, or even take the train there.

The Telluride hardware store always has many different styles of chairs to buy, and the prices are decent.  But you can certainly find some in Albq or on the way for a little less.

I don't know how much stuff you want to ship, but if you're coming to Albq, I certainly would be willing to be your delivery station.  If you decide to come this way, just message me and I'll send you my address. 

[Debbiefromtucson]

It can be Free Boxed!

[Mark of Bloomington]

Our daughter and my sister has always flown into Montrose and take the Telluride Express shuttle.  Easy and convenient.

http://www.tellurideexpress.com/

[Doc Mike]

Since we have started flying in, using High Country Shipping to coordinate shipping our stuff has been great. They help ship everything but what you need on the travel day through UPS or Fedex. Your bags will be waiting at your door (or other prearranged place) and then pick them up and ship them home for you. A small pack for travel day, no checked bags, and easier access to the bars in the airports.

[cmactak]

If the weather goes sour across the country, you are out of luck at Montrose with so few flights. this happened to 2 different friends last year. The luggage delivery worked but was 36 hours late.

DIA is pretty reliable and it is a beautiful drive.