Airport · DEN
Denver International Airport
Denver, United States
Sunnya343 — CC BY-SA 4.0
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 has gates on Concourses A, B and C (B is its main base), Southwest uses 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.
Comfort
Lounges
Denver International Airport (DEN) features a few prominent independent and credit-card-backed lounges, though general third-party network coverage like Priority Pass is limited. On Concourse A (Mezzanine Level near Gate A34), the Capital One Lounge delivers premium hot food, full-service cocktail bars, and shower suites. Over on Concourse C (Mezzanine), the American Express Centurion Lounge offers a local craft beer bar, curated buffet dining, and family spaces. Airline-specific options include major United Club locations spread across Concourses A, B and C, alongside a United Club Fly grab-and-go concept on Concourse B. Traditional independent lounge choices outside of airline program tiers or specific premium credit cards remain sparse.
Staying Online
Wi-Fi & Charging
DEN provides complimentary, airport-wide wireless internet access under the network name DEN Free Wi-Fi. To connect, select the network from your device settings and accept the terms through the browser splash page. While generally stable for basic web browsing, email, and streaming, speeds can fluctuate heavily during peak bank departure times across the central core and concourses. Power and charging availability vary significantly by gate area: older seating configurations feature fewer built-in AC and USB ports, though modernized gate holdrooms and central seating areas have vastly improved pillar and seat-base charging infrastructure. Additionally, automated FuelRod portable battery-swapping kiosks are positioned throughout the Jeppesen Terminal and concourses for travelers seeking cord-free mobile power.
Eat & Drink
Food & Dining
DEN boasts a diverse dining lineup that emphasizes local Colorado culinary brands alongside national favorites across the Jeppesen Terminal and Concourses A, B, and C. On Concourse A, travelers can find local staples like Elway's Taproom & Grill and Tacos Tequila Whiskey. Concourse B hosts popular spots such as Snooze an A.M. Eatery for breakfast fare, Voodoo Doughnut, City Wok, and Shake Shack. Concourse C features upscale casual choices including Root Down, known for globally inspired organic plates, alongside Santo and Great Divide Brewing Co. Fast-casual chains like Chick-fil-A and Starbucks are distributed across multiple concourses, though operating hours for specific outposts can vary.
Driving In
Parking
On-site parking at DEN spans several tiers with structured daily rates: the East and West Garages and Economy Lots charge daily rates (recent figures were about $28 to $30 for garages and $17 to $20 for economy lots, so check flydenver.com). Budget-conscious travelers can use the Pikes Peak and Longs Peak shuttle lots or the 61st & Peña lot, which cost roughly $7 to $10 per day and feature dedicated shuttle or transit links. Premium options include Premium Reserve spaces in the garages for a higher daily rate plus a one-time reservation fee. Free electric vehicle (EV) charging ports are located on Level 1 of the East and West garages (on designated rows like E, F, and G), though regular parking tariffs still apply. Numerous off-site providers—such as Fine Airport Parking and The Parking Spot—operate along Peña Boulevard and Tower Road with frequent private shuttle services.
Staying Nearby
Nearby Hotels
The only hotel physically connected to the airport terminal is The Westin Denver International Airport, situated right outside the Jeppesen Terminal plaza with soundproofed rooms and direct access via escalators. For properties requiring a short shuttle ride off-site, a heavy concentration of hotels lines Tower Road and the Peña Station area. Notable options include the Hyatt House Denver Airport, Fairfield Inn & Suites Denver Airport, Tru by Hilton Denver Airport Tower Road, and Aloft Denver Airport, most of which provide complimentary 24/7 shuttle service to and from DEN terminal curbs. Further out, the expansive Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center sits roughly a 10-to-15-minute drive away.
Sources: Denver International Airport (DEN), RTD Denver Airport Transit, VISIT DENVER Airport Guide, FlyDenver Official Airport Guide, Priority Pass DEN Network, ParkingAccess DEN Parking Schedule