Major city · United States
Telluride
Go for 2–3 nights if you ski or hike; the box canyon is small, walkable and car-free once you park. Skip if you want big-city nightlife.
Telluride sits at 2,438 m in a box canyon in southwestern Colorado, about 160 km from Four Corners. It was a gold and silver boomtown incorporated in 1878 and is now a ski resort town with a free gondola linking it to Mountain Village. Two to three nights covers the town, the gondola and one hike or ski day; most visitors fly into Montrose and drive about 1.5 hours.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jan–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking)
- avoid Apr–May (mud season, lifts closed), Nov (early-season gap)
- Airports
- TEX · MTJ
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Telluride911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Telluride Regional Airport+1 970-728-8600
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Telluride, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyTelluride is a small, low-crime resort town; the real risks are altitude sickness, winter mountain roads and afternoon storms above treeline.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 970-728-8600 Telluride Regional Airport
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportTEX Telluride Regional Airport (5 miles from Telluride, 6 miles from Mountain Village; Denver Air Connection year-round from Denver…
- Getting aroundDo not plan to drive around town: there is free bus service in Telluride and Mountain Village and a free gondola between the two.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Street or quick mealSandwich or bakery lunch$12–20
- BeerDraft beer at a bar$7–10
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Museum or sight ticketTelluride Historical Museum entrycheck current hours$7 adults, $5 students and seniors, free under 5
- Budget bedHostel or shared bunk, a night, per personUS$60
- Mid-range bedHotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$280
- High-end bedHotel or inn double room, a night, per roomUS$600
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$180 · High US$400
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TEX Telluride Regional Airport (5 miles from Telluride, 6 miles from Mountain Village; Denver Air Connection year-round from Denver, seasonal from Phoenix) · MTJ Montrose Regional Airport (67 miles from Telluride, about 1.5 hours by car depending on weather; Alaska, Allegiant, American, JetBlue and United fly here)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Best
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Sep. Avoid: Apr–May, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Jun (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Telluride: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
9 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Do not plan to drive around town: there is free bus service in Telluride and Mountain Village and a free gondola between the two. Rental cars (Hertz, Alamo/National) are available in Mountain Village. A car helps for day trips and for the Montrose airport run.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ouray
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Drive Colorado 145 and the San Juan Skyway, about 1 hour
Hot springs, shops and restaurants; aspens turn gold in fall.
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Drive US-550/CO-62 or via the San Juan Skyway, about 1.5 hours
Useful for the airport, groceries and wine-country tasting rooms.
Silverton
cautionDoor to door: About 2–2.5 h
Drive the San Juan Skyway via Ouray and Red Mountain Pass, about 2 hours
A long mountain drive; check passes in winter.
Durango
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
Drive US-550 south, about 2.5 hours
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Pagosa Springs
overnightDoor to door: About 3–3.5 h
Drive via Durango, about 3 hours
Hot springs town; pair with a Durango stop.
Cortez and Mesa Verde
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
Drive via Dolores, about 2.5 hours
Cliff dwellings need a full day; book tours ahead.
Door to door: About 2–2.5 h
Drive via Montrose, about 2 hours
Mostly a through-stop on the way to wine country.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Telluride town
Historic main street, walkable, closest to the gondola's Telluride station; hotels, inns and the Town Park campground.
Mountain Village
Slopeside resort village at the top of the gondola; luxury hotels and condos, quieter, 10–15 min by gondola from town.
Lawson Hill and outlying rentals
Vacation homes and condos a short drive out; you will need a car or shuttle for most errands.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–280 excl. bed
- High
- $280+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or inn double room1 × 3 nights × US$280 | US$840 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$180 | US$1,080 |
| Town Park campsite, one night6 × US$16 · check; hot showers about $2 for 5 minutes | US$96 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check; needed for day trips and the Montrose airport run | US$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$213 |
| Trip total≈ US$390 per person per day, bed included | US$2,339 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and ski passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Sandwich or bakery lunch | $12–20 |
| Mexican plate at a casual spot | $15–25 |
| Draft beer at a bar | $7–10 |
| Telluride Historical Museum entrycheck current hours | $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, free under 5 |
| Town Park campsitecheck | $12–16 per night |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: the town sits at 2,438 m; take the first day easy and drink water.
- Mud season (roughly April–May) closes lifts and many businesses; check what is open before booking.
- Winter driving on Colorado 145 and the airport road can be slow or closed in storms; build in buffer time.
- Summer afternoons bring thunderstorms above treeline; start hikes early and be down by midday.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Telluride Regional Airport
- +1 970-728-8600
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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TellurideTelluride
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Telluride Regional Airport+1 970-728-8600
Embassy
No embassies in Telluride; nearest consulates are in Denver (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Montrose airport → Telluride by car: about 1.5 hours, 67 miles (check shuttle and rental rates)
- Telluride ↔ Mountain Village gondola: free, about 13 minutes (check seasonal hours)
- Town bus: free (check route hours)
Say or show
- Where is the gondola station? — Where is the gondola station?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- I need help. — I need help.
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Telluride. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Mar (ski), Jun–Sep (hiking) · avoid Apr–May (mud season, lifts closed), Nov (early-season gap) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MTJ and TEX: last shuttle and rental-car desk hours field-checked, winter-road fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: main street and gondola base, Town Park, Mountain Village core, Lawson Hill.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Telluride Historical Museum, gondola hours, ski lift hours) and eat pages with last orders.
- Mud-season and storm-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialVisit Telluride
- officialTelluride Regional Airport
- officialTelluride Historical Museum
- officialTelluride Ski Resort
- secondaryWikivoyage: Telluride, revision 5243499 (CC BY-SA 4.0)