Denver Intl Airport (DEN) Flights & Information

Denver International Airport (DIA) is a large international airport and known as one of the busiest airports in the country. It serves the greater Denver area, as well as the Front Range Urban Corridor, and connects directly with destinations around the world. It can be extremely crowded, but it’s also a comfortable airport with tons of restaurant options.

Getting to and from Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport is located northeast of downtown Denver, connected to the city and surrounding areas primarily by highways. It’s most common to drive to and from DIA, however there are several public transportation options that can save time and money.

Driving and passenger pickup

Many passengers drive to the airport, which has extensive parking, or enlist family and friends for rides. The E-470 toll road can make the drive faster, especially if you’re coming from somewhere on I-25. I use it when driving between the airport and Boulder and it’s worth the added cost.

The main terminal is divided by East and West departures, so check for your airline to pick the correct side. Drop-offs take place outside and cars are only allowed to pause briefly for passengers to unload. If your friends or family want to walk you into the airport, opt for short-term parking in the East or West garage.

Passenger pickup, which takes place on Level 5 one floor below baggage claim, can be extremely hectic. I like to go down to the very end and wait for my pickup there. Although it’s covered, the pickup is also outside, so consider hanging out directly inside the doors if it’s snowing.

A Line train

Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) opened its A Line commuter train in 2016. Locals often refer to it as the “light rail” and it connects DIA with Denver’s Union Station, stopping at several park and ride stations along the way. It’s 37 minutes from the airport to Union Station and runs every 15 minutes. Use RTD’s mobile ticketing to skip the hassle of finding a ticket machine.

From Union Station, travelers can easily get into downtown Denver, catch a taxi to the surrounding suburbs, or hop on one of the other light rail lines, which go as far as Golden.

Taxis and rideshare services

Denver has several taxi companies that serve the airport. They charge via flat rate to four zones, including downtown Denver and Boulder. Other destinations that are not part of the zones will be metered, which can really add up. Uber and Lyft also operate in Denver, sometimes for slightly cheaper fares. Generally, taxis and rideshares are expensive. Unless you have a lot of luggage it’s best to take the A Line into Denver and then hail a taxi onward from there.

Public buses

While the A Line is the most efficient form of public transportation at DIA, there are also numerous public buses available. Buses depart from the airport’s Transit Center, which serves RTD routes AB, AT, 104L, 145X, and 169L. While buses are cheaper than the light rail, they may take longer.

Shared-ride shuttles

Shared-ride shuttles are a good way of getting to and from DIA if you are traveling somewhere away from the A Line route and can’t get a lift from a family member. There are numerous companies available in Denver and the surrounding region, so it’s best to contact them directly for prices and routes. All of the shared-ride shuttles pick up and drop off on Level 5 on both the East and West side of the terminal.

Mountain shuttles

Many passengers flying in and out of DIA are heading into the mountains. While there is a train, the Winter Park Express, available from Union Station during the winter months, most skiers grab a mountain shuttle, which can accommodate ski and snowboard gear. Different companies operate to different ski towns, including Vail and Aspen. These also pick up and drop off on Level 5 outside the terminal.

If you are taking a mountain shuttle from a ski resort to DIA, be sure to book with ample time. The main highway, I-70, can become snowy and icy during the winter, leading to slow driving or even closures.

Parking at Denver International Airport

The Denver airport has a massive amount of parking. The airport owns several official parking lots and garages, which vary in price depending on whether they’re covered and how far they are from the terminal building. The West and East garages are very pricey, and best used for short-term parking. To save money, head to the Pikes Peak Lot or the Longs Peak Lot, which are less than 10 minutes away by shuttle.

A good budget parking option is the 61st and Peña parking lot. It connects to the airport via the A Line and has a lot of spots available. Remember to pay for your parking online or via the lot’s app after you arrive since it is pre-pay only.

Besides the official airport lots, there are several other parking options at DIA. These include The Parking Spot, WallyPark Airport Parking, and Canopy Airport Parking. Many of these can be reserved in advance, which is helpful during a holiday travel period.

Airport terminal and concourses at Denver International Airport

The Denver airport has one terminal, which is the main building where you can find check-in, security, and baggage claim, and three concourses. DIA’s concourses are connected to the terminal by a walkway and an underground train.

Concourse A

Domestic and international flights depart from Concourse A, which is used by numerous airlines, including JetBlue, British Airways, Delta, and Frontier. It is connected to the terminal by the walkway or the train. Passengers who opt to the the walkway won’t be able to use TSA PreCheck or Clear, so if you prefer to breeze through security head to the train instead.

There are a lot of dining and shopping choices in Concourse A, including a food court area directly above the train stop. Most of the restaurants are fast food eateries and grab-and-go cafes, but there are a few sit-down restaurants and bars, including Elway's Taproom and Grill.

Concourse A has several lounges, including the USO Denver lounge. It’s home to the Delta Sky Club and United Club, and the Capitol One Lounge, which is open to both members and paying guests.

Concourse B

Concourse B is primarily used by United Airlines and can only be accessed via the train. It serves both domestic and international destinations.

Early morning fliers will want to grab a table at Snooze An A.M. Eatery, a beloved local restaurant, and Voodoo Doughnut has become a staple of the state thanks to its whimsical treats. Because the Denver airport is connected by the train post-security, you can also venture between concourses to seek out your preferred dining spot.

The United Club is the main lounge in Concourse B and it is fairly sizable. There are no paid lounges in this concourse, so it’s best to go to Concourse A if you want to buy a day pass.

Concourse C

Concourse C is the smallest concourse, but it’s the best one because it’s the home of Little Man Ice Cream and the Tattered Cover Bookstore. The concourse is primarily used by Southwest Airlines, although Alaska and American Airlines also fly out of several gates.

American Airlines opened a brand new Admirals Club in Concourse C in 2023. There is also an American Express Centurion Lounge, which is open to certain credit card holders.

Navigating airport security at Denver International Airport

There are three security checkpoints at DIA: West, South, and Bridge, which is on the walkway to Concourse A. Security at the Denver airport is often extremely busy. The lines can be very long, especially if it’s a holiday or there’s bad weather.

Not all of the security checkpoints are open 24 hours a day. Typically, the South security is always available while the other two shut overnight.

TSA PreCheck

DIA has TSA PreCheck lanes at South and West security. It is not available at the Bridge checkpoint. The TSA PreCheck lines tend to be quick and it’s my preferred way to get through security at DIA.

CLEAR

CLEAR is also available at South and West security in DIA. It doesn’t usually have a long line, although passengers with CLEAR do have to remove more items than TSA PreCheck passengers do.

DEN Reserve

Travelers can reserve a time to go through security at DIA online. Fill in your flight information and personal details on the Denver Airport website to make a reservation. It’s only available for general security screening, which means it won’t work if you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR.

Immigration and customs

Arriving in Denver on an international flight is relatively painless. I always use Global Entry upon arrival, which is very fast, and passengers can also Mobile Passport Control to expedite the process.

At baggage claim, you may notice sniffer dogs checking luggage. It’s common for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to ask you to put your backpack or purse down for them to sniff. If you are connecting to another flight, pass through immigration and customs and then re-check any luggage and go through security.

Airport hotels

The Westin International Denver Airport Hotel is attached to DIA and the best option for travelers who want to stay close to the airport. Other nearby hotels, including the Hyatt House Denver Airport and Hyatt Place Peña Station/Denver Airport, are accessible by shuttle.

Because the A Line runs between DIA and Union Station, hotels near the train stations in downtown Denver are also a good option. There are several hotels directly attached to Union Station, the best being The Crawford Hotel.