Uber and Lyft at Denver Airport: Complete Pickup Guide (DIA 2025)

You probably just landed at DIA. You’re looking at your phone. And you’re confused about where to go.

I got you.

Where to Get Picked Up at Denver Airport

Okay, this is important. Don’t mess this up.

You CANNOT get picked up at the arrivals curb.

Nope. Not happening. Security will shoo you away.

Here’s where you actually go:

Level 5, East Side and West Side

If you picked up your luggage it means you are on level 5. If you don’t have a luggage head out to level 5.

Look for signs that say “App-Based Rides” or “Rideshare Pickup.”

Step-by-Step from Baggage Claim

Okay, here’s exactly what to do once you have your bags.

Step 1: Grab your luggage from baggage claim.

Step 2: Find the nearest exit and walk outside.

The terminal has two sides – east and west. Either one works for now, so just head to whichever exit is closest to you.

Step 3: Once you’re outside, you’ll see lanes of cars.

The first lane you’ll see is a line of taxis. Keep walking past them.

Step 4: Keep going until you reach the fifth lane.

Look for the big “Rideshare Pickup” signs. That’s where you need to be.

The whole walk takes about 5 minutes from baggage claim, maybe less if you’re moving fast and don’t have much luggage.

How Much Does It Cost to Downtown Denver?

The question everyone asks.

From DIA to downtown: Usually $35-$55

But here’s the thing. It changes.

Early morning? Around $35-$40.

Friday night at 9pm? Could be $50-$60 with surge.

Sunday afternoon? Somewhere in the middle.

Quick Price Breakdown

Downtown Denver: $35-$55 Capitol Hill: $40-$60
LoDo/Union Station: $35-$50 Cherry Creek: $45-$65 Aurora: $25-$40

These are estimates. Check both apps when you land.

Prices change based on:

• Time of day
• Day of week
• How many drivers are working
• Weather (snow = surge pricing)
• Events downtown

Uber or Lyft at DIA?

Both work great at the airport.

Seriously. The airport is crawling with drivers.

I’ve sat in that rideshare lot for hours. There are always 50+ drivers waiting.

My advice? Check both apps.

Sometimes Uber is $5 cheaper. Sometimes Lyft is $8 cheaper.

Takes 30 seconds to compare. Could save you money.

How Long is the Wait?

Pretty quick, honestly.

Average wait time: 3-8 minutes

The airport is a driver hotspot. We love airport pickups.

Longer trips = more money. Plus there’s always a steady stream of passengers.

Peak times (fastest pickup):

• Monday mornings
• Friday afternoons/evenings
• Sunday evenings

Slower times:

• Late night (after midnight)
• Super early morning (4-6am)
• Tuesday/Wednesday midday

But even at slow times? You’ll get a ride in under 15 minutes.

Pro Tips from a Driver

Tip 1: Order Your Ride AFTER You Get Your Bags

Don’t order while you’re still at the gate.

By the time you get your luggage? Your driver might cancel.

Wait until you’re actually ready to go.

Tip 2: Know Your Pickup Number

When you request a ride, the app shows you a number.

Like “West terminal island 5G” or “East terminal island 5F”

Look for that number at the pickup area. That’s where your driver will be.

Don’t just stand anywhere. Go to your assigned spot.

Tip 3: Check the License Plate

Not the car color. Not the model.

Check. The. License. Plate.

Every single time.

I’ve seen passengers get in the wrong car. It’s awkward for everyone.

Tip 4: Have Your Phone Ready

Your driver needs to see your app when you get in.

Have it open. Ready to show.

Makes everything faster for everyone.

Tip 5: If It’s Surging Bad, Wait 20 Minutes

See a $75 ride to downtown? That’s insane.

Step away from the pickup area. Grab a coffee.

Check again in 15-20 minutes.

Surge usually drops when more drivers arrive.

Tip 6: The driver or me at the wrong terminal

Just text the driver and tell him/her which terminal you are at

If you cant call or text , you have to walk cross the building to meet the driver at the right location

A lot of time I’m good at spotting my customers and sometimes it gets tricky

What If I Have a Lot of Luggage?

Regular Uber and Lyft can fit:

• 4 passengers
• 3-4 large suitcases

If you have more? Request an XL or Lyft XL.

Costs about $10-15 more. But you’ll have space.

Don’t try to cram 5 people and 6 bags into a regular sedan. Your driver will hate you.

Where Do Drivers Wait?

Curious where we hang out?

There’s a massive rideshare staging lot. It’s off Peña Boulevard.

We sit there. Wait for pings. Watch Netflix. Eat snacks.

When you request a ride? The app assigns it to whoever’s been waiting longest.

So sometimes you get a driver who’s 2 minutes away. Sometimes 8 minutes.

It’s not personal. It’s just the system.

Alternatives to Uber/Lyft

Look, sometimes rideshare prices are crazy.

Here are your other options:

RTD A Line Train: $10.50 per person

• Goes straight downtown
• Takes about 40 minutes
• Trains every 15 minutes
• No surge pricing ever

Taxi: $55-70 flat rate to downtown

• More expensive
• But it’s a flat rate (no surge)

Rental Car: Depends on your plans

• If you’re staying a week, might be worth it
• If you’re just visiting downtown? Skip it.
• Car rentals shuttles(free rides) are on both sides of the building at island number 4. Ask the driver if the car rental accept walk-in if needed

Best Times to Get a Rideshare

Absolute best time: 10am-2pm on weekdays

Lots of drivers. Low demand. Cheap prices.

Most expensive times:

• Friday 5pm-8pm (everyone leaving work + tourists)
• Saturday nights (events downtown)
• Sunday evenings 4pm-7pm (people flying home)
• Any time it’s snowing

Pro move: If you can control your flight time, land mid-morning on a weekday.

Common Mistakes I See Every Day

Mistake 1: Ordering the ride too early

Wait until you have your bags. Seriously.

Mistake 2: Going to the wrong pickup spot

Level 5, east side. Not arrivals. Not departures.

Mistake 3: Not checking both apps

Could save you $10 in 30 seconds.

Mistake 4: Getting in the wrong car

License plate. Check it. Every time.

Mistake 5: Having 17 questions for the driver

We’re friendly. But we’re not tour guides.

Quick chat? Cool. 30-minute interrogation? Not so much.

What About Uber Black or Lyft Black?

You can get them at the airport. Same pickup location.

They cost 2-3x more than regular rides.

Regular ride to downtown: $40
Uber Black to downtown: $80-100

Is it worth it? Only if:

• Company is paying
• You really value the nicer car
• You have a special occasion

For most people? Regular Uber/Lyft is totally fine.

If Your Driver Cancels

It happens sometimes.

Driver accepts. Then sees you’re going somewhere they don’t want to go. Cancels.

It’s annoying. But just request another one.

There are SO many drivers at the airport. You’ll get matched in 2 minutes.

Don’t stress about it.

My Final Airport Tips

Download both apps before your trip. Don’t wait until you land.

Check prices before you confirm. Sometimes one is way cheaper.

Be patient during peak times. Everyone wants a ride.

Tip your driver if they help with bags or deal with your chaos.

Keep your app open so you can see where your driver is.

Don’t make the driver wait more than 2-3 minutes. They might cancel.

Be nice. We’re just trying to make a living.

DIA is a busy airport. But the rideshare system works pretty well here.

You’ll be downtown in 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.

Welcome to Denver!