Quick Info
Airport: DEN (Denver International), 25 miles from downtown. A Line train: 37 min to Union Station, $10.50. Uber/Lyft: $35-60 to downtown. Driving from: Boulder 45 min, Colorado Springs 75 min, Vail 100 min. Getting around: Downtown walkable, light rail covers most areas.
Denver is Colorado's transportation hub. Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the country's busiest, with direct flights from most major cities. The A Line train makes airport transfers easy.
From Denver International Airport
A Line Train (Recommended)
The University of Colorado A Line runs directly from the airport to Union Station. Trains depart every 15 minutes, 37-minute ride, $10.50 one-way. Follow signs to "Train to City" after baggage claim.
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare pickup is on Level 5 of the main terminal. Expect $35-60 to downtown depending on demand. Takes 35-50 minutes depending on traffic.
Rental Cars
Rental car center connected to terminal by train. Major companies available. Useful for mountain trips but unnecessary for just Denver.
Hotel Shuttles
Some hotels offer airport shuttles. Check with your hotel before booking other transport.
Driving to Denver
From Boulder
US-36 east, about 45 minutes. Express lanes available for faster travel during rush hour.
From Colorado Springs
I-25 north, about 75 minutes. Traffic can build on the south approach during rush hour.
From the Mountains (Vail/Breckenridge)
I-70 east. About 100 minutes from Vail, 90 from Breckenridge in good conditions. Sunday ski traffic can triple these times.
From the North (Fort Collins/Wyoming)
I-25 south. Fort Collins is about 65 minutes. Cheyenne, WY is about 100 minutes.
Getting Around Denver
Light Rail
RTD operates light rail lines throughout metro Denver. Useful for airport, downtown, DTC, and suburbs. Day pass available.
Walking Downtown
Downtown Denver is walkable. LoDo, Larimer Square, and the 16th Street Mall are all connected on foot.
16th Street Mall Shuttle
Free shuttle runs the length of the 16th Street Mall from Union Station to Civic Center.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft widely available. Useful for neighborhoods not on light rail.
Scooters & Bikes
E-scooters and bike share available throughout downtown. Good for short trips in nice weather.
Parking
Downtown
Street parking is metered and limited. Garages available but expensive ($20-40/day). Consider parking at a light rail station.
Park-and-Ride
RTD park-and-ride lots at light rail stations. Free parking, take the train downtown.
Tips
Take the A Line. For airport transfers, it's reliable, affordable, and avoids traffic uncertainty.
Skip the car downtown. Parking is expensive and most downtown destinations are walkable or transit-accessible.
Rent for mountains only. If you're only staying in Denver, you don't need a car. Rent one for the day you head to the mountains.
Avoid I-70 on Sundays. Ski traffic heading back to Denver creates brutal backups. Leave early or stay late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Denver airport from downtown?
About 25 miles. 37 minutes by A Line train, 35-50 minutes by car depending on traffic.
Should I rent a car in Denver?
Only if you're going to the mountains. Downtown is walkable with good transit.
How do I get from the airport to Union Station?
Take the A Line train. Follow signs to "Train to City" after baggage claim. $10.50, 37 minutes.
Is Uber or the train better from the airport?
Train is cheaper and more predictable. Uber is better for groups or if you have lots of luggage.