Denver International Airport is among the largest airports in the United States by surface area and, with 82 million passengers in 2024, among the most trafficked in the country.
Gateway to Colorado and the Rocky Mountains, with Denver as an ideal base for nearby ski resorts.
How to get to Denver International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to DEN
Parking near Denver International Airport
Economy Shuttle Lots (Pikes Peak, Longs Peak, Mt. Elbert) cost 10 USD/day; 61st & Pena lot (with RTD A-Line access) costs 8 USD/day; Economy Lot East/West costs 17 USD/day with free shuttle every 7-10 minutes 24/7; Covered Terminal Garage costs 35 USD/day; Premium Reserved 45 USD/day.
How to get to Denver from DEN
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
From DEN to the most sought-after destinations
| If you want to... | Choose | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Spend less | RTD A Line, the only railway line (37 min) | ~10 USD |
| Door-to-door without changes | Uber/Lyft (35-45 min) | 44-90 USD |
| Reach Boulder or ski slopes | Regional bus AB1 (Boulder) or Bustang/ski shuttle | 10-66 USD |
| Have heavy luggage or travel in a group | Flat-rate taxi by zone | ~70 USD |
Denver Airport → Union Station
Beyond being the terminus of the A Line, Union Station is the hub for those continuing their journey: from here departs the Amtrak California Zephyr towards the Rocky Mountains, Salt Lake City and the Bay Area, while Bustang buses to other Colorado cities depart from gate B19 of the underground terminal.
Denver Airport → Denver Tech Center
For the business district south of the city it's best to get off the A Line at Union Station and continue with the E Line light rail: in total about 50-60 minutes, convenient for those with work appointments without renting a car.
Denver Airport → Boulder
The RTD regional bus AB1 connects the airport directly to Boulder in about 75-95 minutes, with a fare of 10 USD per trip: it is the most direct solution to reach the university city without passing through downtown Denver.
Denver Airport → Vail and Breckenridge slopes
Shared shuttles (Epic Mountain Express and other operators) connect the airport to Vail/Beaver Creek in about two and a half hours (from 66 USD) and to Breckenridge/Keystone in about two hours (from 59 USD); a more economical alternative is the A Line train to Union Station followed by the Bustang West Line bus to Vail (17 USD).
Car rental at Denver International Airport
All major car rental companies have desks in the main terminal.
Bring your driver's license, passport and credit card in the driver's name; for those heading to ski resorts, check the need for winter tires or chains depending on season.
Hotels near Denver International Airport
At the airport
The Westin is directly linked to the Jeppesen Terminal by a covered plaza; the A Line station is beneath the hotel and the terminal is about a minute on foot.
Best for: Dawn flights, long layovers and arrivals in the dead of night, when the A Line trains do not run.
- From check-in to bed it is a few minutes' walk, with no shuttles or car
- The A Line station is in the same building, for heading downtown at dawn
- All around there are only plains and runways: to go out you need the train or a car
- Some guests report high prices for in-house services and noisy construction work
Peña Boulevard and surroundings
From the Avid Hotel a free shuttle links the Jeppesen Terminal 24 hours a day, departing every 30 minutes from Level 5, island 3.
Best for: Those looking for a lower rate than the Westin who are willing to wait for the free shuttle.
- The free shuttle runs every hour, even for dawn flights
- Simpler rooms, suited to a single overnight stop
- The hotel is about 6 miles from the terminal and you depend on the shuttle
- An area of interchanges and warehouses, with no bars or shops within walking distance
Union Station
The A Line reaches Union Station in about 37 minutes from the terminal, every 15 minutes at peak times and every 30 off-peak.
Best for: Those who want to see Denver without a car or continue by train or bus towards the Rocky Mountains.
- The train from the airport drops you right behind the hotel
- Amtrak's California Zephyr and Bustang buses to Colorado depart from here
- Between 1:20 and 3:15 there is no train and you need a taxi or Uber
- The train ticket has a fixed cost, even for a single journey
Recommended hotels
LoDo and Larimer Square
You take the A Line to Union Station in about 37 minutes, then walk a few blocks to the hotels.
Best for: One or more nights in Denver, with bars, restaurants and stadiums on foot and the station a few blocks away.
- Evening venues and restaurants on foot, even after the train arrives
- Coors Field and Larimer Square are within a few blocks
- On game or concert days the district is crowded and noisy
- For the mountains you still need a car or a regional bus
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 9
- earliest opening
- 04:15
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The single terminal, with its distinctive white tent-like covering reminiscent of snow-capped Rocky Mountain peaks, is divided into concourses A, B and C, connected by an internal automated train.
The scale of the airport suggests a buffer of at least 3 hours for those departing on an international flight.
Map of Denver International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How much does the A Line train from Denver Airport to downtown cost?
10 USD per ride: the fare also acts as a day pass with unlimited rides on the entire RTD network (bus and light rail) for the rest of the day; the trip takes about 37 minutes.
Q. Why is Denver Airport's roof tent-shaped?
The distinctive white roof evokes the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains visible on the horizon.
Q. Is Denver Airport a good starting point for skiing?
Yes, several shuttle services connect the airport to Colorado's main ski resorts.
Q. Does the train to the airport run at night?
Yes, with the first train at 3:15 am and the last at 1:20 am, covering most flight schedules.
Q. What time does the first lounge open?
At 04:15: Delta Sky Club (Concourse A).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
