Airport Guide to Denver International (DEN)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the largest airports, both in the United States and in the world. It is also one of the top ten busiest airports worldwide. Denver International Airport’s beautifully constructed rooftops, which are said to resemble the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains, are conveniently located just 40km (25 miles) from downtown Denver.

An airport the size of Denver International is sure to have ample shopping opportunities for both domestic and international travellers. Passengers using the airport who are not keen on shopping will find that there are many other activities and distractions at the airport, including beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and a number of commissioned art pieces located throughout the terminal buildings.

United Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines and Frontier Airlines all use Denver International Airport as a hub. Flights to Denver International Airport are available from most airports across the United States, such as LA, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Chicago; and from many international destinations including London, Cancun, Toronto and Frankfurt.

An airport the size of Denver International Airport is sure to impress even those travellers who think they’ve seen it all. However, it seems that this airport goes one step further. Not only does the design of the airport highlight the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape, but it also has an environmental management system in place that aims to make the airport itself a more environmentally-friendly place – perfect for travellers wishing to keep their carbon footprint in mind.

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Terminal Transfer

Denver International Airport only has one terminal building, but the concourses branching off each terminal can be quite a walk, and passengers should plan their time accordingly. A free underground train system connects all three concourses. Concourse A is connected to the terminal building via a great footbridge, and is the only concourse that is directly connected to the terminal building. Concourse A handles all the international arrivals at Denver International Airport, as well as a few departing flights. Concourses B and C are only accessible via the underground Automatic Guideway Transit System, which itself can be accessed from the main lobby of the terminal building.

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Getting into Town

Taxis: Taxis are easy to find at Denver International Airport: simply head to the fifth floor and look for the cabs parked outside doors 507 to 510. The 30- to 40-minute trip into downtown Denver costs between $43 and $50, depending on traffic.

Bus: There are a number of buses to and from the airport, operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). RTD Skyride buses (AA, AB, AF AS, AT) are all luxury coaches with ample luggage room for passengers. Bus AA runs between the airport and Wagon Road; AB goes to Boulder; AF stops at Cold Spring and Downtown Denver; AS runs between Stapleton and DIA; and bus AT goes to Arapahoe County. Other RTD buses, 145X and 169L, are local buses and have less luggage room. The buses leave from Island Five on level five of the West Terminal, and most stop at the East Terminal’s Island Five on level five as well. Bus tickets start at $2, but pensioners and kids pay half price. Buses to outlying areas tend to leave every hour, whereas bus AF to downtown Denver leaves every half an hour during the day, and less frequently at night. The bus to downtown Denver, as well as many of the other bus services, run 24 hours a day. Travel time into downtown Denver by bus is generally about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. A number of shuttle vans also depart from the airport, and transport passengers to Colorado Springs and other popular vacation spots. Shuttle operators include Colorado Mountain Express, Blue Sky Shuttle, Shamrock Airport Express, Super Shuttle and Colorado Springs Shuttle.

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Car Parking

All the parking garages are directly attached to the main terminal of the airport. The main Jeppesen terminal is separated into an east and west side: the West Terminal has four parking garages and an economy parking lot, while the East Terminal also has an economy parking lot, and three other parking garages. Long-term parking in the East and West Garages costs $21 per day and $2 per hour, while economy lots cost $11 per day and $1 per hour. There are also two off-site parking lots, which are connected to the airport by a shuttle service that runs every ten minutes. Off-site parking is located at Pikes Peak and Mt Elbert. Daily rates for these parking lots go up to $7, from an initial rate of $1 per hour. A Cell Phone Lot (or waiting area) is located on Pena Boulevard, where drivers can wait free of charge (for 45 minutes) to pick up an incoming passenger. The short-term parking lots in the East and West Parking Garages cost $3 per hour and do not have a daily rate.

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Information Desks

Passengers will find it easy to locate information desks in Denver International Airport, because there are four in total. They are located in concourses A, B and C, and there is one on level five of the main lobby, near the arrivals halls. The staff all wear white cowboy hats and are happy to answer questions relating to the airport, as well as to Denver and its surrounding tourist attractions. There are also a number of information telephones throughout the airport with direct lines to the information desks.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: ATMs, banks and currency exchange facilities are all available at Denver International Airport. US Mail and Fedex Drop boxes are located within the Jeppesen terminal.

Luggage: The lost and found office at the airport is easily found, as it is conveniently located near arrivals on level five in the Jeppesen terminal. Lost luggage is dealt with by the individual airlines concerned. A baggage storage facility is available at the airport, through the Airport Baggage Centre (tel: (303) 342 5858).

Conference and business: Denver International Airport is fully equipped with conference facilities and meeting rooms. There are also business facilities, including Internet access, fax and copying services at the Business Services Centre, located on the mezzanine level.

Other facilities: Kiosks offering pay-as-you-go video games and Internet facilities are located throughout the airport. The goHow Airport App is also available for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad users who want to have access to airport maps and flight information in their pocket. There are also massage services available at Denver International Airport, and free charging stations for laptops, cellular telephones and other electronic devices. Vending machines are also available throughout the airport.

Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport. When using the service, note that your browser will be directed to a brief advertising video before full Internet access becomes available.

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