(200+) Denver International Airport (DEN) - Your Complete Guide

About Denver International Airport, Colorado

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the main commercial airport serving Denver and Colorado's Front Range region. It is located 39 kilometers northeast of downtown Denver, on the far eastern side of the metropolitan area.

With over 58 million passengers annually, it's the 5th busiest airport in the United States. Denver International acts as a hub for United Airlines and has flights to major destinations across the US and worldwide.

The airport has three large passenger terminals with 140 gates. Airlines operating from Denver International include United, Southwest, Frontier, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and many more. 

There are nonstop flights to cities across the US, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, Boston, as well as international destinations like London, Tokyo, Frankfurt and Mexico City.

Denver International Airport is open 24 hours a day, with peak times from early morning to late evening. Recent expansion opened new gates, restaurants, and transit facilities. Its central location makes it a major connecting hub for flights across the western and central United States.

Things to do near Denver Airport

Outdoor Activities and Adventures:

• Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge - Over 15,000 acres of nature trails, lakes and wildlife viewing areas 15 miles away
• Cherry Creek State Park - Boating, fishing, biking and camping at this state park 20 km away
• Chatfield State Park - Swimming, hiking, horseback riding and water sports 25 km from airport
• Barr Lake State Park - Fishing, bird watching and hiking at this nature area 35 km northeast
• Rocky Mountain National Park - Iconic Colorado mountain park with hiking, camping and scenery 95 km northwest
• Eldora Mountain Ski Resort - Skiing, snowboarding and winter adventures 75 km from DEN
• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre - Hiking, concerts and events in rock formations 25 km away
• Golden Gate Canyon State Park - Mountain biking, camping and hiking 50 km from airport

Sports and Entertainment Venues:

• Empower Field at Mile High (Denver Broncos football) - Home of the Denver Broncos, 20 km away
• Ball Arena (Denver Nuggets basketball, concerts) - Basketball, hockey games and big concerts, 15 km away
• Coors Field (Colorado Rockies baseball) - Downtown baseball stadium 25 km from airport
• Pepsi Center (Colorado Avalanche hockey) - Hockey arena located 20 km from DEN
• National Western Complex (Stock Show, rodeos) - Home of the National Western Stock Show event and rodeo 20 km away
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre (concerts) - Iconic outdoor amphitheater 25 km from airport
• Denver Coliseum (concerts, events) - Downtown event venue 15 km from DEN

Public transportation like the A-Line train, light rail and buses connect the airport to many of these venues and attractions around Denver

Winter activities in Denver

• Skiing & Snowboarding - Many world-class ski resorts are only 1-2 hours from Denver, including Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, and Winter Park. Great for all skill levels.
• Ice Skating - Outdoor rinks at Skyline Park downtown or Evergreen Lake provide beautiful backdrops. Indoor rinks like Denver Coliseum are open year-round.
• Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing - Numerous parks and trails like Meyer Ranch Park and Evergreen Lake allow winter exploration. Rent gear nearby.
• Snow Tubing - Family-friendly tubing hills with lift service are popular at resorts like Keystone, Copper Mountain, and Frisco Adventure Park.
• Dog Sledding - Unique chance to experience dog sledding on tours from Snow Mountain Ranch and other providers.
• Snowmobiling - Explore the high alpine areas near Denver by snowmobile on guided group tours.
• Winter Festivals - Downtown events like Snow Daze festival at Union Station and the Mile High Tree have live music, ice bars, and family activities.
• Museums & Attractions - World-class museums, top shopping areas, brewery tours, distilleries, escape rooms and more. Free days at Denver Zoo, Botanic Gardens, and other top sites.
• Rocky Mountain National Park - Still spectacular blanketed in snow. Accessible areas include Bear Lake. Snowshoeing and cross country skiing permitted.
• Winter Concerts & Shows - Red Rocks and great local venues host concerts year-round. Plus Broadway touring shows, comedians, and other events.
• Dining & Nightlife - Renowned dining scene plus breweries, bars with fire pits, and mountain town nightlife within a short drive.

Places to visit near Denver Airport

• Downtown Denver - The city center with shopping, dining, museums and attractions like the 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square is 35 km from DEN.
• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre - See incredible rock formations and attend concerts at this renowned venue just 30 km away.
• Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge - Hike, bike and spot wildlife at this 15,000 acre nature area 20 km from the airport.
• Cherry Creek State Park - Boat, fish, bike or swim at this scenic park with a reservoir 25 km away.
• Denver Botanic Gardens - Explore diverse gardens and glass conservatories in the city, a 30 km drive from DEN.
• Denver Zoo - See exotic animals and exhibits at one of the top zoos in the U.S., 25 km from the airport.
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science - Massive museum featuring space, wildlife and Egyptian exhibits 35 km from DEN.
• Coors Brewery Tour - Take a tour and sample beer at the largest single-site brewery in the world, 25 km away.
• Water World - Enormous water park with thrill rides and slides 30 km from Denver International.

Major airlines at Denver Airport

• United Airlines - The largest carrier and hub airline at DEN, with an extensive domestic and international network.
• Southwest Airlines - Major focus city with numerous flights across the U.S. and some international.
• Frontier Airlines - Headquarters and hub in Denver, with service across the country.
• Delta Air Lines - Extensive domestic flights plus international service to Europe and Asia.
• American Airlines - Offers flights to their Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix and other hubs.
• JetBlue Airways - Service to major cities like New York, Boston, Fort Lauderdale and others.
• Spirit Airlines - Low-cost airline with domestic leisure routes from Denver.
• Alaska Airlines - Flies to West Coast destinations plus hubs like Seattle and Portland.
• Air Canada - Service to Canadian destinations plus international connections.
• Lufthansa, British Airways, and Icelandair offer transatlantic service from DEN.

Denver IATA Airport Code

• The IATA code for Denver International Airport is DEN.
• DEN is the 3 letter code used to search for and book flights to/from the airport.

Denver Airport Management

• Denver International Airport is owned and operated by Denver Department of Aviation.
• They oversee airport facilities, infrastructure, terminals, and services.

Denver Airport Location

• The airport is located 39 kilometers northeast of downtown Denver.
• Address: Denver International Airport, 8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249

Contact details for Denver Airport

General Information:

• Phone: +1 303-342-2000
• Email: info@flydenver.com

Denver Airport Official Website:

• https://www.flydenver.com

Lost & Found Office:

• Phone: +1 303-342-4062
• Email: DENLostandFound@flydenver.com

Denver Airport Operations:

• Phone: +1 303-342-2800

Commercial and Business Department:

• Phone: +1 303-342-2100
• Email: business@flydenver.com

Passenger Services at DEN:

• Phone: +1 303-342-2000

Ground Transportation Inquiries:

• Phone: +1 303-342-4059

Denver Airport Security:

• Phone: +1 303-342-4200

Denver Airport Medical Services:

• Phone: +1 303-342-5241

Terminals at Denver Airport

Denver International Airport has three large passenger terminal buildings.

Terminal A:

• Opened in 1995. Main United Airlines terminal.
• Located off Peña Boulevard, northeast of downtown Denver.
• 38 gates with jet bridges.
• Check-in hall with United ticket counters and kiosks.
• TSA security checkpoint for Concourse A, B and C.
• Concourse A has 26 gates (A1-A62).
• Concourse B has 12 gates (B1-B12).
• Restaurants, shops and services throughout the terminal.
• Upper level departures and arrivals on lower level.

Terminal B:

• Opened in 1995. Southwest Airlines terminal.
• Located off Peña Boulevard, northeast of downtown.
• 26 gates with jet bridges (B1-B26).
• Southwest check-in hall and ticket counters.
• TSA security checkpoint for Concourse B.
• Restaurants, stores and passenger services inside.

Terminal C:

• Opened in 2020. Frontier, Delta, American and more.
• 39 gates with jet bridges (C1-C39).
• Check-in hall with various airline counters.
• Restaurants, stores and passenger amenities.

Facilities at Denver Airport

• Free WiFi throughout the terminals for unlimited device connections.
• Over 40,000 short-term and long-term parking spaces in multiple garages and lots near the terminals. Parking reservations available online.
• Rental car center on airport property provides most major rental car agencies.
• RTD public transit trains and buses to downtown Denver and surrounding areas.
• Lost and found office to claim lost items. Unclaimed items donated or auctioned periodically.
• Many food, beverage, and retail concessions throughout the concourses.
• Currency exchanges and ATMs located pre-security and in gate areas.
• Pet relief areas inside and outside the terminals.
• Designated smoking lounges located post-security in each terminal.
• Charging stations for electronics available gate-side.
• Art exhibits showcasing local Colorado artists and creativity.
• Disability services - wheelchairs, carts, visual paging available upon request.
• 24/7 security provided by Denver police and TSA.
• The on-site Westin Denver International Airport Hotel. Many other airport hotels nearby with free shuttles.

Getting to and from Denver Airport

Trains:

• Direct A Line commuter train service to Denver Union Station every 15 minutes. Takes about 37 minutes to downtown.
• SkyRide buses provide connections from the airport to Denver Tech Center and Boulder.
• Train platforms are located at the terminal for easy access to the trains.

Buses:

• RTD operates several bus routes from the airport to downtown Denver, Boulder and other local areas.
• Route AF provides express bus service to downtown.
• Route AT goes between the airport and Aurora.
• The bus station is located on Level 1 of each terminal.

Taxis:

• Licensed Denver taxis available outside baggage claim levels.
• Fare to downtown Denver is around $55 depending on traffic.
• Other taxi services like Metro Taxi operate from the airport.
• Takes about 30-45 minutes by taxi to downtown.
• Can pay with credit card or cash.

Shuttles:

• Shared shuttle vans available to local hotels, downtown, and ski resorts.
• Private sedan or SUV transfers can also be booked in advance.

Travel times from Denver Airport

• Downtown Denver: 35 km, 30 minutes by car, 37 minutes by train
• Boulder, CO: 45 km, 45 minutes by car
• Colorado Springs, CO: 130 km, 90 minutes by car
• Aspen, CO: 215 km, 3 hours by car
• Vail, CO: 180 km, 2 hours by car
• Albuquerque, NM: 850 km, 8.5 hours by car
• Salt Lake City, UT: 800 km, 8 hours by car
• Las Vegas, NV: 1,100 km, 11 hours by car
• Phoenix, AZ: 1,100 km, 11 hours by car
• Los Angeles, CA: 1,400 km, 14 hours by car
• Chicago, IL: 1,800 km, 18 hours by car
• Dallas, TX: 1,300 km, 13 hours by car

Travel times vary based on traffic and weather conditions. Most long distance travel relies on car, air travel, or Amtrak train connections from Denver.

Renting a car at Denver Airport

Q: Which rental car companies are located at the airport?
A: Major brands include Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, National, Dollar, Thrifty, Payless, Advantage and local companies. The rental center is connected to the terminal.

Q: Should I reserve a car in advance?
A: Yes, booking ahead online ensures availability and the best rates, especially for ski weekends.

Q: What documents do I need to rent a car?
A: You'll need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance if you decline the rental company's coverage.

Q: How much does a car rental cost on average?
A: Economy cars start around $35-75 per day, depending on the company and season. SUVs and trucks cost more.

Q: What is the fuel policy?
A: Most rentals have a "full-to-full" tank policy. Average gas prices are $3.50-$4.50 per gallon.

Q: Are toll roads common in the area?
A: Yes, there are some toll roads like E-470 that can be paid with rental car transponders.

Q: Are snow tires or chains required in winter?
A: Snow tires may be recommended for mountain travel. Chains are rarely needed.

Customs and Border Control 

• Like all US airports, illegal drugs, including marijuana, are strictly prohibited, even though they are legal in Colorado. Smuggling has serious penalties.
• Carrying over $10,000 in cash requires declaration when entering the US. Failure to declare can lead to civil and criminal penalties.
• Counterfeit products like fake clothing, handbags, and electronics may be seized by customs on arrival.
• Certain food items have import restrictions, like fresh produce, meats, fruits, and vegetables. Declare any food items.
• Firearms require proper permits and licenses. Undeclared weapons will be confiscated and incur penalties.
• Alcohol and tobacco allowances are limited for duty free import into the US. Check current allowance rules.
• Products from endangered wildlife, like ivory, skins, and furs, are generally prohibited.
• Be honest and transparent when undergoing customs screening. Providing false information raises suspicion.
• Keep receipts for high value items in case Customs has questions.
• When in doubt about any item, check with customs officials prior to your flight.

Denver Airport tips

• Arrive early, especially during snowstorms, which can cause delays.
• Check-in and print boarding passes online in advance when possible to save time.
• Have a valid ID ready for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), such as a driver's license or passport.
• Know customs allowances - only $800 worth of goods can be imported into the US duty-free.
• Denver International is the main commercial airport. There are no other nearby alternate airports.
• Download DEN's app for terminal maps, services, flight status, and parking.
• Parking reservations are recommended for economy lots to guarantee a spot.
• Carry some cash for taxis or food kiosks, which may not take credit cards.
• Only sealed water bottles can go through TSA checkpoints. Fill empties at fountains.
• Smoking is only permitted in designated lounges inside the terminals.
• Have travel documents ready and remove items from carry-ons to speed up TSA screening.
• Allow extra connection time due to Denver's size and distance between concourses.

Airport Dress Code

• There is no official dress code, but wear appropriate attire. Revealing clothing should be avoided.
• Shoes and shirts are required in the terminal and onboard aircraft.
• Hats and caps may need to be briefly removed at TSA checkpoints.
• Offensive images/slogans on clothing are prohibited.
• Colorado has a casual dress style. Layers and comfort are recommended.

Weather in Denver

Spring:

• The spring months are March through May
• The weather warms up with highs of 15-21°C (60-70°F)
• Sunny days become more frequent as snow melts
• Wildflowers bloom across Colorado's mountain parks

Summer:

• The summer months are June through August
• Highs average 29°C (84°F), sometimes exceeding 32°C (90°F)
• Afternoons have low humidity and frequent thunderstorms
• Summiting high mountain peaks is best done early before storms

Autumn/Fall:

• The fall months are September through November
• Temperatures cool off to highs of 13-18°C (55-65°F)
• Crisp sunny days with blue skies and colorful fall foliage
• The first snow falls in the mountains, signaling the start of winter

Winter:

• The winter months are December through February
• Average highs are 7°C (45°F). Lows often drop below -7°C (20°F)
• 160 cm (63 inches) of snow falls, concentrated in winter
• Cold, sunny days are ideal for skiing and snowboarding
• Bitter cold requires warm, insulating layers and winter gear

Duty-free shopping at Denver Airport

Q: What are the duty free allowances for traveling to the US?
A: When entering the US, the duty free allowance is $800 per person. This applies to goods bought abroad.

Q: Are there any prohibited items I can't bring in?
A: Banned items include drugs, weapons, endangered species products, and excessive amounts of cash/alcohol/tobacco without declaration.

Q: Can I buy and travel with alcohol and tobacco duty free?
A: Yes, but within federal limits - 200 cigarettes, 100 cigars, and 1 liter of alcohol. Must be for personal use if traveling to the US.

Q: Do I have to pay taxes on purchases?
A: No tax/duty is applicable on purchases made domestically in the US. International arrivals may incur taxes.

Q: Are duty free prices cheaper than downtown?
A: Duty free prices are generally not cheaper than regular US prices for items like perfumes and electronics.

Q: Are there any limits if I'm traveling abroad?
A: Every country has its own duty free import allowances. Check the regulations at your destination.

duty-free
A: No, DEN does not have designated duty free shops in the public areas before security.

Q: When can I buy items at DEN?
A: Regular shops allow purchases anytime before your flight, no special duty free zones.

Q: Is a sales tax refund available?
A: Unfortunately no sales tax refunds are provided to non-residents when shopping.

Q: Are there limits on electronics?
A: No limits unless transporting for commercial purposes. Follow TSA liquid rules.

Q: Can I shop on arrival and pick up later?
A: No, items must be purchased and taken on the same day, as no storage is provided.