US Airport · Colorado

Denver International (DEN)

Denver International (DEN) is the largest US airport by land area at over 50 square miles and one of the busiest in the country, handling more than 75 million passengers in a typical year. It sits about 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver. United Airlines runs DEN as a major hub, but Southwest and Frontier (whose headquarters is in Denver) also operate sizeable bases, making DEN unusual in having three high-volume carriers under one roof. The Jeppesen Terminal's distinctive white tented roof is one of the most photographed pieces of US airport architecture. One quick factoid: DEN's 16,000-foot runway 16R/34L is the longest commercial runway in North America, designed for fully-loaded long-haul departures at altitude.

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Terminals at DEN

Jeppesen Terminal (Main Terminal)
All check-in for all carriers
Single landside terminal — no airline-specific terminals. From Level 5 you take the Underground Train to Concourses A, B and C.
Concourse A
International carriers (long-haul), some United, JetBlue, plus Air Canada and Aeromexico
Reached via underground train or pedestrian bridge from the Jeppesen Terminal. International arrivals processed here.
Concourse B
United mainline and United Express
United's primary DEN concourse, with a Polaris Lounge and multiple United Clubs.
Concourse C
Southwest, Frontier, Alaska, American, Delta, Spirit
Non-United domestic carriers cluster here. Renovated and expanded in recent years.

Getting to Denver International

Mode Details Cost Frequency
Rail (RTD A Line)RTD A Line commuter rail runs from the airport directly to Union Station downtown in 37 minutes.$10.50 one-wayEvery 15 min weekdays, 30 min weekends
Rideshare / TaxiRideshare uses Island 1 on Level 5; taxis at Island 4. Long roadway means pickups can take a few minutes to arrive.Taxi roughly $65-80 to downtown; rideshare $35-65On demand
Mountain shuttlesMultiple operators run scheduled shared shuttles to Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Aspen and other resort towns.$50-150 one-way depending on resortHourly in ski season
Hotel shuttlesOn-airport Westin Hotel is a covered walk; off-airport hotels run free shuttles from Level 5.Free with stay (off-airport); room-rate (Westin)Every 15-30 min

Parking at DEN

Tier Rate Shuttle Best for
Garage (East/West Terminal)$28/day maxNone — covered walkway to terminalTrips under 24 hours
Economy Lots$15/dayFree shuttle every 10-15 minTrips 1-7 days
Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot$10/dayFree shuttle every 15-20 minLong trips on a budget
Mt Elbert Shuttle Lot$8/dayFree shuttle every 15-20 minCheapest on-airport option
Off-airport private lots$10-15/day typicalOperator-run shuttle every 10-15 minPre-booked budget parking

Lounges at DEN

United Polaris Lounge
📍 Concourse B
United Polaris long-haul international business; some Star Alliance partners
United Club
📍 Multiple — Concourse B
United Club membership, eligible business/first travellers, paid day pass
American Admirals Club
📍 Concourse A
Admirals Club membership, eligible AA international flights, paid day pass
Delta Sky Club
📍 Concourse C
Delta One, Sky Club membership, Amex Platinum/Reserve with same-day Delta flight, paid day pass
The Club at DEN
📍 Concourse A and Concourse C
Priority Pass, paid day pass, eligible premium credit cards
Capital One Lounge
📍 Concourse A
Capital One Venture X primary cardholders
USO
📍 Jeppesen Terminal
Active US military and eligible families

Top destinations from DEN

Destination Country From
London (LHR)United Kingdom$449Open route guide →
Paris (CDG)France$449Open route guide →
Rome (FCO)Italy$699Open route guide →
Los Angeles (LAX)United States$119Open route guide →
New York (JFK)United States$169Open route guide →
Miami (MIA)United States$169Open route guide →

Airlines at DEN

United Airlines British Airways Lufthansa Icelandair Southwest Airlines Frontier Airlines Spirit Airlines American Airlines Delta Air Lines

5 things you didn't know about Denver International

Verified by the CompareFlights team
  1. 1DEN was deliberately built 25 miles northeast of downtown so the airport could expand without urban encroachment — it currently has 6 runways and the master plan supports up to 12, more than any other US commercial airport.
  2. 2The 32-foot Blue Mustang sculpture by the entrance — nicknamed 'Blucifer' — killed its own sculptor Luis Jiménez in 2006 when a piece fell on him during construction. Locals consider it the airport's mascot.
  3. 3DEN's white tented roof was designed by Fentress Architects to evoke the snow-capped Rocky Mountains visible to the west — and it's so reflective that it's visible from the International Space Station.
  4. 4DEN has the longest commercial runway in North America at 16,000 feet (3 miles) — long enough to accommodate any aircraft ever built, including emergency Space Shuttle landings.
  5. 5DEN's elaborate underground tunnel network (built for the people-mover system) and a controversial 'New World Airport Commission' dedication stone have made it a magnet for conspiracy theorists since opening in 1995.

Frequently asked about DEN

Which terminal does United use at DEN?

United operates almost entirely from Concourse B at DEN, including its Polaris Lounge and several United Clubs. International arrivals on United are processed in Concourse A's Federal Inspection Services facility. All DEN check-in is at the single Jeppesen Terminal regardless of airline.

How early should I arrive at DEN for an international flight?

Plan three hours ahead for international departures from Concourse A. The underground train from check-in to A adds about ten minutes, and security throughput slows noticeably during morning long-haul banks. For domestic, two hours is generally enough.

How long is the train from the terminal to the gates at DEN?

The Underground Train ride from the Jeppesen Terminal to Concourse A is about three minutes; to B is about five; to C is about seven. Trains depart every 1-3 minutes. There is also a covered pedestrian bridge from the terminal to Concourse A as an alternative.

What's the cheapest way from DEN to downtown Denver?

The RTD A Line commuter rail at $10.50 is the cheapest direct option, taking 37 minutes to Union Station. Rideshare averages $35-65 and taxis $65-80. The A Line train station is a covered indoor walk from the Jeppesen Terminal at the south end.

Is there a hotel inside DEN?

Yes — the Westin Denver International Airport sits directly above the A Line train station, attached to the Jeppesen Terminal by a covered plaza. It is the only hotel physically connected to the terminal building. Several brand hotels sit a few miles away with shuttle service.

Nearby airports

Colorado Springs (COS)
85 mi S
Smaller alternative for southern Colorado travellers
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan (BJC)
35 mi NW
General aviation only; no scheduled commercial service
Eagle/Vail (EGE)
120 mi W
Seasonal ski-market airport for Vail and Beaver Creek