Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is the only airport serving Ridgway.

The trip between Montrose Regional Airport and downtown Ridgway is reasonably long. You’ll have to travel 40 kilometers before you can check in to your city hotel.

MTJ is the only major airport in Ridgway. Before you head there, it’s a good idea to find out a little about it. It is situated 40 kilometers from the center of town.

You have a couple of options if you’re heading to Ridgway. Select from 3 airlines that service this destination from 2 airports across the globe.

United Airlines and Southwest Airlines fly often into Ridgway. Catching a United Airlines flight from Denver is one of the most popular ways to get there.

With roughly 28 nonstop flights running every week, you’ll be hitting the runway in Ridgway before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

Flights to Ridgway from Denver, Dallas and Houston airports are the most in demand.

From the minute you’re wheels up out of Denver, you’ll be airborne for somewhere around 1 hour and 4 minutes before you arrive at the terminal in Ridgway. Travelers coming in from Dallas can expect to be on the plane for roughly 2 hours and 19 minutes.

If you’d like to have some extra spending money on your Ridgway vacation, listen up! As every experienced jet-setter knows, don’t book at the very last minute. Fares are often highest close to the departure date. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and check if there are multiple airports at your destination. Prices often differ depending on the airport you go for. Remember to compare prices across airlines too. Last of all, be ready to secure your seat quickly if you find a real bargain. It might not stick around for too long. With a bit of know-how and some good fortune, the perfect fare can be yours.

If you’re poorly prepared, air travel can be challenging. But there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a hassle-free start to your getaway in Ridgway.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a cruisy experience if you carry the right things. First of all you’ll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a clean set of clothes and a good book. Next, leave space in your bag for your electronic devices, chargers, your important medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to bring your passport, travel papers and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and matches, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should always be the goal when picking what to wear on your flight. Consider your footwear choice with care too, as swollen ankles and feet can be a side effect of flying. Flat shoes which are slightly roomy are your best bet.
• The condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It’s the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Doing regular foot and leg exercises in your seat helps to prevent this occurring. Wearing a quality pair of compression socks is also a wise idea.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We’ve rounded up some helpful hints for an easy trip through security. Watch out Ridgway, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you’re less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won’t allow any sharp objects in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.