Denver Bus Tours FAQ:
Reservations, Age Requirements, Cancellation Policy & More

Is it necessary to make reservations when touring Denver with your team?

Yes — all Denver bus tours require advance reservations online. Tours have a maximum of 14 guests per departure, fill to capacity regularly, and our team cannot accept walk-up payment at the meeting point.
 

You must book at least 30-minutes before the scheduled departure time. Many tours fill to capacity and have waitlists, particularly on weekends from May through October. Book online through each tour's booking page — the process takes less than five minutes and you will receive a confirmation email immediately. Here's a link to our home page with all available tours and the booking calendar with live availability. 

 

What is the cancellation policy for Denver bus tours?

Denver bus tour tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased, unless an Early Bird ticket or Flex ticket is purchased. Tours cancelled by Discover Denver due to weather or operational reasons will be rescheduled or refunded in full.

Tickets are date and time specific, similar to concert, theater or sporting event tickets. If you are unable to attend, contact info@discoverdenvertours.com as soon as possible. For private and step-on guide tours, no refunds are available once payment is finalized, though date transfers may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Youth bus tour bookings follow the same no-refund policy but may allow date transfers — contact the team to discuss.

 

Early-Bird ticket or Flex tickets both allow for a refund, date cahnge, or time change up to 24-hours in advance of the tour departure time. If you are unsure what type of ticket you purchased, please review your confirmation email and reminder email for your ticket's cancellation and refund policy or contact our team at info@discoverdenvertours.com

 

What if I'm running late for my Denver bus tour or can't make the tour?

Tours depart on time and cannot wait for late guests. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before your scheduled departure to check-in.

Your guide will arrive at least 5 minutes before the tour start time. The bus cannot wait in loading zones or on busy streets. If you're running late, contact our team immediately — in most cases the bus will have already departed and tickets are non-refundable but it may be able ot meet the bus at a later stop in the tour. See each tour's page for the exact meeting point address and a Google Maps pin.

 

Can I bring Fido on my Denver bus tour?

No. We love your furry friends, but they will need to stay home or with a pet sitter for this one. Pets and animals are not permitted on Denver bus tours. Our shuttle is not equipped for animals and our insurance does not provide coverage for pets aboard the vehicle.

ADA-compliant service animals are a separate matter from pets. If you are traveling with a service animal, please contact info@discoverdenvertours.com before booking so we can discuss your needs and ensure the best possible experience for you.

 

​What age is required for Denver bus tours? Are Denver bus tours suitable for children?

Yes — Denver bus tours are suitable for children ages 6 and up. Every guest including children must have their own ticketed seat and seatbelt — lap children and shared seats are not permitted under Colorado state regulations.

Ages 6 and up are welcome on the Discover Denver Bus Tour, Red Rocks Express, Ultimate Denver Day Out, and Holiday Lights Tour. The Denver After Dark Ghost Tour is recommended for ages 10 and up due to mature historical content. Youth under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Guides are experienced at keeping the commentary engaging for all ages.

 

Children under 6 are not permitted on the bus tours. For children under 6, our private walking tours at DenverFreeWalkingTours.com have no minimum age requirement.

 

Are their restrooms available while on the Denver bus tours?

There are no restrooms on the shuttle bus or along the standard tour route except at any scehduled rest stops for your particular tour. We strongly recommend using the restroom before your tour departs.
 

Union Station — the departure point for most Discover Denver bus tours — has public restrooms available inside the main terminal building. If a restroom need arises during the tour, your guide will do their best to accommodate a stop, though this is not guaranteed due to route timing and traffic.

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What are the languages are Denver bus tours offered in?

Discover Denver bus tours are currently offered in English only. All live commentary, storytelling, and guide interaction is conducted in English throughout the tour.

 

For guests who speak limited English or non-native English speakers, our Audio Adventure self-guided tours are available in a format that allows guests to pause, rewind, and replay narration at their own pace, which can be more accessible for non-native English speakers.

 

For private bus tours and private walking tours, we can arrange for an interpreter to join your group at an additional cost — please contact our team at info@discoverdenvertours.com to discuss interpreter options and availability before booking.

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Are there any private Denver bus tours?

Yes, private Denver bus tours are available for groups of 1 to 54 guests, priced per group rather than per person. Six private tour experiences are available, bookable year-round seven days a week.

Private options include the Private Discover Denver Bus Tour (2–4 hours from $485/group), the Sights Sips Stories & Sweets Tour (with beer and ice cream included), the Private Ghost Tour, the Private Street Art Tour, the Private Discovery Tour (1 hour from $285/group), and Youth Field Trips. View all private tours here.

 

What should I bring on my bus tour of Denver?

Bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle, sunscreen, and layers for Colorado's unpredictable weather. The bus is climate-controlled but the tour includes optional outdoor photo stops.

Sunglasses and sunscreen are recommended in summer. A light jacket is a good idea year-round as Denver's temperature can shift significantly between morning and afternoon. Most importantly — bring your curiosity and get ready to see Denver through a local's eyes.e recommend comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a bottle of water, layers for Colorado's ever-changing weather and be ready to have some fun while touring Denver with your local guide!

 

 Is the Denver bus tour wheelchair accessible?

No, the Discover Denver bus tour shuttle is not wheelchair accessible. The vehicle has three steps to board and does not have a wheelchair lift, ramp, or accessible entry.

 

Guests who use wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or similar mobility devices are not able to be accommodated on the shuttle at this time. Guests who use a cane or collapsible walker and are able to manage three steps with or without assistance are welcome aboard — please let your guide know about any mobility needs when you arrive so they can assist with boarding. At optional photo stops, guests always have the choice of whether to disembark the bus or remain seated. We have successfully accommodated many guests with varying cognitive abilities and mobility levels when traveling with a companion, family member, or support person. If you have specific accessibility questions before booking, please contact our team at info@discoverdenvertours.com and we will help determine whether the tour is the right fit for your needs.​

 

When do Denver bus tours run?

Each tour runs on its own seasonal schedule. Visit the individual tour page for days, times, and availability.

• The Discover Denver Bus Tour runs year-round up to four times daily.

• The Red Rocks Express runs Friday through Monday May through October.

• The Holiday Lights Bus Tour runs nightly November 27 through December 30.

• The Ghost Tour runs Friday and Saturday June through September, and Thursday through Sunday in October.

• The Ultimate Denver Day Out runs daily May through October and Friday through Saturday November through December and April.

See each tour page for full schedule details.

 

Where do Denver bus tours depart from?

All Discover Denver bus tours depart from the flagpole in front of Union Station at the intersection of 17th Street and Wynkoop Street in downtown Denver. Look for your guide in a neon yellow Discover Denver Tours shirt.

Some private tours can arrange custom starting locations including hotel pickup — contact info@discoverdenvertours.com to request this. Union Station is accessible by the RTD A-Line light rail from Denver International Airport, rideshare, and multiple parking garages within two blocks.

 

Can I catch-up to the group  if I'm running late?

Generally no; the bus cannot wait in loading zones or busy streets once departed. Contact our team immediately if you are running late.

 

In most cases the tour will have already left or will need to leave as scehduled to also ensure your guide's next tour is not running late and because many guests have other plans after the tour they need to be at.

The best way to avoid missing your tour is to account for busy Denver traffic and construction and arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Your guide will arrive 5 minutes before the tour start — if you do not see them yet, you are likely early.

 

How long are the Denver bus tours?

• The Discover Denver Bus Tour is 1 hour 45 minutes.

• The Red Rocks Express is 1.75–2 hours.

• The Ultimate Denver Day Out is 3 to 3.5 hours.

• The Holiday Lights Bus Tour is 1 hour 45 minutes.

• Private Discovery Tours are 1 hour.

• Private Discover Denver Tours are available in 2, 3, or 4-hour formats.

• Youth bus tours are 60 minutes for four routes and 90 minutes for the Best of Denver VIP Youth Tour.

 

Do guests get to go inside any of the sites or landmarks? 

No — the tours are conducted from the shuttle bus, with optional outdoor photo stops at select landmarks. Due to tour length, group size, and individual building regulations, guests do not enter any landmarks during the tour.

Guests are encouraged to revisit their favorite sights independently after the tour. Your guide will recommend the best ways to see inside specific landmarks and the best times to visit based on your schedule.

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Can I have a lap child or extra guest share my seat on a bus tour?

No, every guest must have their own ticketed seat and seatbelt, including children. This is required under Colorado state law and insurance regulations. The minimum age for all public bus tours is 6 years old.
 

The maximum capacity of the shuttle is 14 guests total. There are no exceptions to the one-seat-per-guest requirement. If you are traveling with a child under 6, see our private walking tours at DenverFreeWalkingTours.com for a family-friendly alternative with no minimum age.

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Q: What happens if my Denver bus tour is cancelled due to weather?
If Discover Denver cancels your tour due to extreme weather or unsafe road conditions, you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule to another available date. You will be contacted at least two hours before your scheduled departure time if a cancellation is necessary.

Denver bus tours operate rain, snow, or shine in most conditions — our climate-controlled shuttle means weather rarely impacts the experience. Cancellations due to weather are uncommon but do occur in the event of a blizzard, icy road conditions, or a weather emergency. If you cancel your booking yourself due to weather concerns, the standard non-refundable ticket policy applies — our team makes cancellation decisions based on actual road safety conditions, not potential forecast concerns. For the most current tour status on a weather day, contact info@discoverdenvertours.com or call 720-372-3849 at least two hours before your departure.

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Q: Can I join a Denver bus tour as a solo traveler?
Yes — solo travelers are welcome on all public Discover Denver bus tours and more than 30% of our guests are solo travelers. Public tours are small-group experiences with a maximum of 14 guests, and solo travelers join alongside other visitors and locals from around the world.

Many of our most enthusiastic guests are solo travelers who find the small-group format a natural way to meet other people exploring Denver. Solo travelers book and pay for one ticket through the standard booking calendar — there is no single supplement or solo traveler surcharge. If you prefer a completely private experience, private tours are available for groups of one at the same per-group pricing — contact info@discoverdenvertours.com to inquire.

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Q: Is the Discover Denver Bus Tour good for first-time visitors to Denver?
Yes, the Discover Denver Bus Tour is specifically designed for first-time visitors and is consistently the most recommended starting point for anyone new to the city. In 1 hour and 45 minutes, the tour covers 19 of Denver's most iconic landmarks with a local expert guide who puts everything in context.

First-time visitors consistently say that taking the Discover Denver Bus Tour early in their trip makes the rest of their visit significantly more meaningful — they leave knowing the stories behind the buildings, the neighborhoods worth exploring on foot, the restaurants their guide recommends, and the hidden gems most tourists miss entirely. The tour departs from Union Station up to four times daily from May through October, making it easy to fit into the first morning or afternoon of any Denver itinerary. It is also the best value introduction to the city at $35–$39 per person; less than most Denver restaurant meals and far more memorable.

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Still have a question?

Contact us: Email: info@discoverdenvertours.com Phone/Text: 720-372-3849