Book Flights to Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs — at the foot of Pikes Peak on Colorado's Front Range — is one of the most dramatically situated cities in North America. Garden of the Gods' red sandstone formations, the Air Force Academy's modernist Cadet Chapel, the Manitou Incline, and the summit of Pikes Peak itself are all within an hour of the airport. Colorado Springs also serves as a base for Rocky Mountain skiing resorts 90 minutes northwest.
Colorado Springs Airport (COS) is served by American, United, Southwest, Frontier, and Delta. Denver International Airport (DEN, 100 km north) offers more flight options — FareOptic compares both airports for the best Colorado airfare.
Cheap Flight Deals to Colorado Springs
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Why Visit Colorado Springs, Colorado?
From the summit of Pikes Peak and the red rocks of Garden of the Gods to the Air Force Academy Chapel and the giraffe herd at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs packs extraordinary natural and cultural experiences into a compact area.
Pikes Peak and the Pikes Peak Highway
America's Mountain — 4,302 Metres Above Sea LevelPikes Peak — the iconic 4,302-metre summit looming over Colorado Springs — inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write 'America the Beautiful' in 1893. The Pikes Peak Highway (toll road, 31 km) and the Cog Railway both summit the peak, offering extraordinary views across Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, and Wyoming on clear days.
Summit Experience
The Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center (opened 2021) is a state-of-the-art facility at 4,302 m with exhibits on the mountain's geology and history, a café (donuts at altitude!), and panoramic windows. Altitude sickness is possible above 3,500 m — ascend gradually and descend if you feel symptoms. The Cog Railway (seasonal, book ahead) is the most comfortable summit ascent
Garden of the Gods
Red Rock Formations Against a 4,000-Metre MountainGarden of the Gods — a National Natural Landmark and Colorado Springs city park — is a collection of 300-metre red sandstone formations rising from the Colorado plain with Pikes Peak as a dramatic backdrop. The park is free, open daily, and offers hiking, rock climbing (permit required), and cycling through one of the most photogenic landscapes in the American West.
Balanced Rock
Garden of the Gods' Balanced Rock — a 700-tonne sandstone boulder perched on a narrow base — is the park's most photogenic feature. The Gateway Rocks (two 300-metre fins framing Pikes Peak behind) are the iconic Colorado Springs photograph. The park's Visitor & Nature Center has free natural history exhibits explaining the formation's Permian-era sedimentary geology
United States Air Force Academy
One of America's Most Beautiful Military CampusesThe United States Air Force Academy — on a 70-square-kilometre campus north of Colorado Springs — is open to public visitors: the Cadet Chapel (1963, a modernist masterpiece of 17 glass-and-aluminum spires), the Barry Goldwater Visitor Center, and Falcon Stadium. The Chapel is widely considered the finest mid-century modern religious building in the US.
Cadet Chapel
The USAFA Cadet Chapel — a dramatic cluster of 17 aluminum-and-glass spires reaching 46 metres — is one of America's greatest modernist buildings. The chapel houses Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, and Cadet All Faiths rooms stacked vertically through the building. The stained glass windows (abstract, by Jax Giard) are extraordinary. Visitor access is free, open Monday–Saturday
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
America's Only Mountain Zoo — 2,200 Metres ElevationThe Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — built into Cheyenne Mountain at 2,200 m above sea level — is the only mountain zoo in the US. Home to the world's largest captive giraffe herd (visitors can hand-feed the giraffes on an elevated platform), African painted dogs, hippos, and grizzly bears, all set in stunning Rocky Mountain terrain.
Giraffe Hand-Feeding
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's giraffe hand-feeding experience — standing on an elevated deck to feed the herd from eye level, with Pikes Peak in the background — is one of the finest zoo interactions in North America. The zoo's elevation and mountain setting make it an extraordinary facility; the African Rift Valley habitat is the centerpiece of a world-class ungulate collection
Seven Falls and North Cheyenne Canyon
Spectacular Mountain Canyon and Waterfall SystemSeven Falls — a series of seven waterfalls in South Cheyenne Canyon — and North Cheyenne Canyon Park offer hiking in the dramatic granite canyon terrain immediately west of Colorado Springs. North Cheyenne Canyon's Mount Cutler Trail (5 km round trip) and Helen Hunt Falls are the most accessible canyon hikes from the city.
Helen Hunt Falls
Helen Hunt Falls — a powerful cascade in North Cheyenne Canyon, 5 km from downtown Colorado Springs — is named for the Victorian novelist who lived nearby. The falls are accessible via a short 400-metre walk from the parking area; the North Cheyenne Canyon trail system extends from here into the broader canyon network for half-day and full-day hikes
Manitou Springs and the Incline
Colorado's Most Quirky Mountain Town and Infamous TrailManitou Springs — 8 km west of Colorado Springs — is a Victorian-era mineral springs town at the foot of Pikes Peak, with independent galleries, gem shops, and the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. The Manitou Incline (trail, not a railway) climbs 610 m vertically in 1.6 km — one of the most grueling short hikes in the US, popular with military athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
The Manitou Incline
The Manitou Incline — a 1.6-km trail following an abandoned cable car railway at grades up to 68% — climbs 610 m in elevation in under 2 km. The workout is extreme (1,744 railway ties as steps); fit hikers take 30–60 minutes. The descent via Barr Trail (4.3 km) is required (no descent on the Incline). Free to climb; trailhead permits required on busy weekend mornings
How to Find Cheap Flights to Colorado Springs
Denver (DEN) Often Has More Flights and Better Fares for Colorado Springs
Denver International Airport (DEN) is 100 km north of Colorado Springs — a 1-hour drive. DEN has vastly more airline options, more nonstop routes, and generally lower fares than COS. Always compare DEN vs COS on FareOptic; for many travelers flying into DEN and driving to Colorado Springs is the better value option.
Book COS Fares 4–8 Weeks Ahead
Colorado Springs Airport (COS) has a smaller number of carriers than DEN, which can limit fare competition. American, Southwest, Frontier, and United all serve COS — booking 4–8 weeks ahead on FareOptic captures the best available fares before holiday and summer premium pricing kicks in.
Summer Is Peak Season — Book Mountain Activities Early
July and August are peak Colorado Springs season: Pikes Peak Highway, Garden of the Gods, and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are most crowded. The Cog Railway to Pikes Peak sells out weeks ahead in summer — book train tickets simultaneously with flights. Fall (September–October) has excellent weather and fewer crowds.
Winter Can Be Excellent — Skiing Is 90 Minutes Away
World-class ski resorts — Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain — are 1.5–2 hours northwest of Colorado Springs via I-70. Winter flights to COS (November–March) can be excellent value for ski trips using Colorado Springs as a base.
Airlines Serving Colorado Springs (COS)
American Airlines
Dallas and Chicago Hub ConnectionsAmerican Airlines is a primary carrier at Colorado Springs Airport (COS), operating connecting flights through its Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD) hubs. American's COS service provides access to its full domestic and international network through DFW.
Key Routes
Colorado Springs COS to Dallas DFW; COS to Chicago ORD; COS to Charlotte CLT; COS to Phoenix PHX; connections through American's full domestic and international network
United Airlines
Denver Hub Gateway for COS TravelersUnited Airlines connects Colorado Springs to its Denver (DEN) hub — Colorado Springs is 100 km south of Denver and United's Denver hub is one of its largest. Many Colorado Springs visitors use Denver International Airport (DEN) for greater flight options and lower fares.
Key Routes
Colorado Springs COS to Denver DEN; direct service from COS to United hubs; or fly into Denver DEN (100 km north, 1 hr drive) for United's full domestic and international network
Southwest & Frontier
Budget-Friendly Options at COSSouthwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines both serve Colorado Springs with nonstop leisure routes at competitive fares. Frontier is headquartered in Denver and serves COS with low-cost nonstop service. Both carriers offer no-frills options for budget-conscious travelers.
Key Routes
Colorado Springs COS to Orlando MCO (Southwest); COS to Phoenix PHX (Southwest); COS to Las Vegas LAS (Frontier/Southwest); COS to Atlanta ATL (Frontier); COS to Minneapolis MSP (Delta)
Things to Do in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Essential Info for Your Colorado Springs Trip
State
Colorado (CO) — El Paso County; 2nd largest city in Colorado
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
MST (UTC-7) / MDT (UTC-6) in summer
Airport Code
COS — Colorado Springs Airport (13 km SE of downtown)
Alt. Airport
Denver DEN — 100 km north; 1 hr drive; far more flights
Altitude
1,839 m (6,035 ft) elevation — acclimatize before strenuous hikes
Pikes Peak
4,302 m summit — Cog Railway or Toll Road from Manitou Springs
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Colorado Springs
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Colorado Springs, Colorado
What airport serves Colorado Springs, Colorado?
Colorado Springs Airport (IATA: COS) is located 13 km southeast of downtown Colorado Springs. COS is served by American, United, Southwest, Frontier, Delta, and Alaska. Denver International Airport (DEN, 100 km north) is an alternative with far more flights and airline options.
Should I fly into Colorado Springs (COS) or Denver (DEN)?
Denver International Airport (DEN) is 100 km north of Colorado Springs — about 1 hour by car or Bustang bus. DEN has many more airlines, more nonstop routes, and generally lower fares than COS. For most travelers outside the Southwest/Frontier COS network, flying to DEN and driving to Colorado Springs offers better value. FareOptic compares both airports.
What is Pikes Peak?
Pikes Peak is a 4,302-metre granite mountain west of Colorado Springs — one of Colorado's most famous 'Fourteeners' (peaks over 14,000 feet). It inspired 'America the Beautiful' (Katharine Lee Bates, 1893). The Pikes Peak Highway (toll road) and the Pikes Peak Cog Railway both reach the summit. The annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (July) is one of motorsport's legendary races.
What is Garden of the Gods?
Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark and free Colorado Springs city park containing extraordinary red sandstone rock formations rising up to 300 metres, with Pikes Peak visible behind them. The park offers hiking, cycling, and rock climbing. No admission fee.
What is the Manitou Incline?
The Manitou Incline is a 1.6-km trail following an abandoned cable car railway bed that climbs 610 m in elevation at grades up to 68% — one of America's most extreme short hikes. The trail uses 1,744 original railway ties as steps. Fit hikers ascend in 30–60 minutes; descent is via the longer Barr Trail. Trailhead passes required on weekends.
What military installations are near Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs has the highest concentration of military in the US: the US Air Force Academy (north), Fort Carson (south), Peterson Space Force Base (east), Schriever Space Force Base (east), Cheyenne Mountain Space Operations Center (inside Cheyenne Mountain — the famous NORAD facility), and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Training Center.
What is the best time to visit Colorado Springs?
June–September: summer hiking season, best Pikes Peak weather (18–27°C at base, 10–15°C at summit). October: fall foliage, cooler (10–18°C). December–March: winter, skiing 1.5 hrs away, cold (-5–5°C), quieter. April–May: spring, unpredictable weather, lower rates.
Is the Pikes Peak Cog Railway still running?
The Manitou and Pikes Peak Railway Cog Railway is an 8.9-km cog railway climbing from Manitou Springs (1,979 m) to the Pikes Peak summit (4,302 m). The railway reopened in 2021 after a major restoration. It runs seasonally (spring through fall). Tickets ($40–55) should be booked well in advance, especially in summer.
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