One of the inconveniences of living in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is flying.

Cheyenne does have an airport, but the destinations are so limited that to go anywhere far, you end up using Denver Airport.

At first, I didn't think much of it. It takes about an hour and a half to two hours to drive from Cheyenne to Denver.

Considering the traffic in LA, I thought this distance was nothing.

However, after a few trips, I realized it's not that simple.

Denver Airport is not just an airport; it feels like a small city.

When you leave Cheyenne early in the morning and take Interstate 25 south, it starts off pleasant. There aren't many cars, and the road stretches out ahead.

But as you cross into Colorado, the traffic gradually increases, especially around Fort Collins and Loveland.

Even when you think you're almost at Denver, you still have a long way to go to reach the airport. Once you enter Peña Boulevard, you finally feel like you're heading to the airport.

Once, I left home three hours before my flight was scheduled to depart.

I thought that would be enough time since it usually takes less than two hours to drive.

However, after parking in the airport lot and waiting for the shuttle, I realized time had passed more quickly than I expected.

Once I entered the terminal, went through security, and took the train to the gate, I found I had very little time to spare.

From that point on, I don't just calculate the driving time when going to Denver Airport.

This is especially true in winter.

The road from Cheyenne to Colorado can be scarier due to the wind rather than the snow.

Even a little snow can make visibility poor when the wind blows. You can feel your car shake when large trucks pass by.

Those who have driven in winter in Wyoming know what I mean.

So, for morning flights in winter, I think it's not a bad idea to head down to Denver the night before and stay overnight.

Of course, hotel costs can be a concern. Still, it's better than missing a flight and having to buy a new ticket.

There are mainly two ways to get from Cheyenne to Denver Airport.

You can either drive yourself or take a shuttle bus.

There's an airport shuttle called Groome that you can catch at places like the Little America Hotel in Cheyenne.

The fare is about $60 one way, and it's a bit more expensive if they pick you up from your home.

When traveling alone, it's a surprisingly good option.

A round trip can easily exceed $100, but considering gas and parking fees, it's not an unreasonable amount.

Most importantly, you don't have to drive back to Cheyenne exhausted after getting off the plane.

However, the shuttle can also take over two hours, and you have to stick to the scheduled times, so it's not just convenient.

Personally, I think it's better to drive when I have a lot of luggage or when traveling with family.

However, parking fees at Denver Airport are also quite high.

The indoor parking right next to the terminal costs about $35 a day. If you're gone for a week, parking fees can exceed $200.

When I first saw these rates, I couldn't tell if I was parking my car or leaving it at a hotel.

So, when I travel for an extended period, I prefer to use a shuttle parking lot a bit farther from the airport.

Places like Pikes Peak charge about $10 a day, so even for a week, it's around $70.

You have to take a free shuttle to the terminal, but that inconvenience is manageable.

There are cheaper parking lots, but if getting to the airport becomes a hassle, it can be more tiring.

Especially for late-night flights, it's not ideal to park too far away just to save a few dollars on parking.

Denver Airport can also be confusing when you first arrive.

There's one airport building, but the boarding areas are divided into A, B, and C.

Even after passing through security, you often have to take a train to get to your gate.

At first, I wondered why I had to take a train inside the airport.

United Airlines mainly uses the B concourse, while Southwest often uses C. Airlines like Frontier sometimes use A.

Of course, gates can change, so checking your boarding pass is the most accurate way to know.

It's a bit disappointing that there aren't direct flights from Denver Airport to Korea.

Unlike LA or San Francisco, where you can fly directly to Incheon, you usually have to connect through another airport.

You might have to transfer in places like LA, San Francisco, or Seattle, depending on your flight.

Long-haul flights to Korea are tiring enough, and having to connect through domestic flights makes the day feel very long.

So, when flying to Korea, it's good to not only look at ticket prices but also to allow plenty of time for layovers.

If you save a few dozen dollars by booking a flight with a short layover, it can complicate things if your first flight is delayed.

Also, when picking someone up at Denver Airport, there are some things to be careful about.

You can't just park in front of the terminal waiting for someone to arrive.

There's a free waiting parking lot near the airport, so it's more convenient to wait there and move when you get a call.

You also can't just expect someone to come out immediately after arriving at the airport.

It can take a while to get from the plane to the terminal after taking the train and collecting your luggage.

In the past, I didn't know this and arrived too early, circling around the airport a few times.

Ultimately, what I've learned from using Denver Airport from Cheyenne is this:

You can't just trust the driving time shown on the map.

From Cheyenne to the airport takes two hours, and when you factor in parking and getting into the terminal, plus security and moving to the gate, you should plan to leave four to five hours before your flight for peace of mind.

In winter, it's better to allow even more time.

While I used to stress about traffic on the way to the airport in LA, here I have to worry about distance and weather.

However, there is one good thing.

On the way back to Cheyenne, when I see the Wyoming sign after escaping the busy roads of Colorado, I feel a sense of relief.

The traffic decreases, and the surroundings become quiet again.

At that moment, I think Cheyenne is indeed a comfortable place to live.

Of course, just thinking about driving to Denver Airport for the next trip already feels tiresome.

I wish there were a few more destinations available from Cheyenne Airport.