Airport · DEN
Denver International Airport
Denver, United States
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IATA
DEN
ICAO
KDEN
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Transport
Getting To & From Denver International Airport
Travelers heading between Denver International Airport (DEN) and downtown can utilize the Regional Transportation District (RTD) University of Colorado A Line commuter train, which departs from the DEN Transit Center on the south end of the Jeppesen Terminal. The 23-mile journey to Denver Union Station takes roughly 37 minutes and costs $10 for an Airport Day Pass, which also covers unlimited transfers across the regional transit network for the rest of the day. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft operate from designated ground transportation zones, with typical travel times to downtown ranging from 30 to 45 minutes depending on Peña Boulevard traffic.
Navigate
Terminals & Getting Around
Terminals
DEN operates out of a single central passenger facility known as the Jeppesen Terminal, which connects to three distinct airside concourses—Concourse A, Concourse B, and Concourse C. United Airlines heavily anchors Concourses B and A, Southwest utilizes Concourse C, and Frontier operates primarily out of Concourse A, alongside various international and domestic carriers. Because the concourses are physically detached from the main terminal, passengers take an underground automated underground train system to move between Jeppesen Terminal and the gates, with transit times averaging under 3 minutes.
Hours of Operation
The Jeppesen Terminal and its security checkpoints operate continuously, though individual airline check-in counters and baggage service desks maintain specific hours tied to flight schedules. Overnight stays airside are generally restricted following the final arrivals, and passengers lingering overnight are typically confined to public landside zones.
Know Before You Go
Practical Tips
- Arrive early: DEN strongly recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic departures—and three hours for international flights—due to heavy passenger volume and security checkpoint queues.
- Utilize security slot reservation: Take advantage of programs like DEN Reserve to book a specific security screening time window in advance and bypass standard queue lines.
- Check checkpoint options: Main security screening is handled at the West and East checkpoints on Level 6 of the terminal; wait times can vary significantly between sides.
- Allow gate transit time: Factoring in a 7- to 15-minute walk time from the underground train station to your specific boarding gate is essential after clearing security.
Sources: Denver International Airport (DEN), RTD Denver Airport Transit, VISIT DENVER Airport Guide