Ten minutes after landing at COS, you can be at Garden of the Gods if you grab an on-site rental car.
Rental car counters sit directly inside the terminal at City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (COS), just past baggage claim in Terminal 1, so you walk there in under 2–3 minutes with your luggage. No shuttle, no off-airport lot, which matters if you’re trying to hit Pikes Peak Highway, Fort Carson, or Monument on a tight schedule the same day you land.
Most national brands run desks at COS and keep their vehicles in the attached parking structure across the roadway, usually a 2–4 minute walk from the counters. Because Colorado Springs public transit is limited and many spots like Garden of the Gods sit 6–10 miles from downtown, locals on Reddit repeatedly say a rental here is the most practical move for multi-stop sightseeing.
Rates at COS often price a bit higher than Denver International, with users reporting daily differences of $10–$30, but you skip the 70–80 mile drive from DEN down I‑25. Some frequent visitors say they still book at COS after comparing both airports, because they’d rather fly into town and be at a hotel or trailhead within 25–35 minutes of landing.
Inventory can tighten in peak season: summer tourism, USAFA graduation, and big event weekends in May, June, and August get called out on r/ColoradoSprings. Locals advise booking weeks ahead if you need SUVs for mountain roads, child seats, or any specialty vehicle, since COS can’t match Denver’s deeper fleet for minivans, 4x4s, or large passenger vans on short notice.
Watch out for one-way pricing if you’re dropping at another airport, especially Denver: travelers report real sticker shock on COS–DEN one-ways and sometimes rearrange trips to return the car in Colorado Springs instead. Also expect fewer last-minute vehicle choices after 6–7 p.m., when same-day walk-ups can get stuck with whatever’s left on the lot.
Quick step-by-step from plane to car
- 1. Land at COS Terminal 1 and follow the “Baggage Claim / Rental Cars” signs down one level.
- 2. Pick up checked bags from the single baggage claim area, usually within 10–15 minutes of arrival.
- 3. Walk 50–100 feet to the rental car counters lined up next to baggage claim and confirm your reservation, license, and credit card.
- 4. Head outside and cross the roadway to the garage or signed rental lot; most cars sit on the first or second level.
- 5. Do a quick walk-around with photos of all four sides, confirm mileage and fuel level, and set your phone GPS for your first stop before leaving the lot.
Pro tip: if your plans are flexible, price out shifting your dates by a day or two—COS rental rates can swing noticeably between a Thursday and a Tuesday pickup.