Denver International Airport (DEN) Guide
Quick summary
DEN is one big Jeppesen Terminal feeding three separate airside concourses (A, B, C) linked only by a free 24-hour underground train. All concourse transfers stay airside, so you never re-clear security to change gates.
The bottom line on DEN
Denver's best feature can trip people up in reverse: all three concourses stay airside, connected only by a free 24-hour underground train, so you never re-clear security to change gates β but that train ride out to Concourse C can take up to 10 minutes. Leave real time for a tight connection rather than assuming the gates are close.
Downtown is easy without a car: the RTD A-Line runs from the terminal to Union Station in about 37 minutes for roughly $10, beating a rideshare in traffic. Parking cheaply means skipping the garages β the 61st & PeΓ±a lot is about $7 a day with a free shuttle, the lowest on-airport rate.
AirportScore
Our own 1β5 rating of the DEN traveler experience, scored from the verified data on this page. See airport rankings β Β· How we score β
Traps most travelers fall for at DEN
- All three concourses stay airside, but the underground-train ride out to Concourse C can take up to 10 minutes β don't cut a tight connection too fine assuming the gates are close.
- The close-in East/West garages jump to about $28/day; for anything longer use the 61st & PeΓ±a lot (~$7/day) or the Pikes Peak/Longs Peak shuttle lots (~$10/day) instead.
- There are no dedicated sleep zones, so on an overnight expect early-morning cleaning activity if you're bedding down in the terminal.
Terminals at DEN
Everything at Denver funnels through the landmark Jeppesen Terminal (the one under the white peaked-tent roof), which holds check-in, security, baggage claim, and ground transport across six levels. From there, three physically separate airside concourses β A, B, and C β hold roughly 160 gates between them. United dominates Concourse B, while Southwest, Frontier, and most other carriers spread across A and C. The concourses are connected only by the Automated Guideway Transit System, an underground train that runs 24 hours a day with departures about every two minutes; the ride from the terminal out to Concourse C takes under 10 minutes. Concourse A also has a walkable pedestrian bridge from the terminal if you'd rather skip the train. Because the train and bridges are all airside, transferring between concourses never requires re-clearing security.
DEN parking rates & options
| East/West Garage β hourly | About $5 per hour |
| East/West Garage (close-in) β daily max | About $28 per day |
| Economy lots (East/West) β daily | About $17 per day |
| Pikes Peak / Longs Peak shuttle lots β daily | About $10 per day |
| 61st & PeΓ±a lot β daily (cheapest on-airport) | About $7 per day (free shuttle) |
| Premium Reserved (Level 4, next to terminal) β daily | About $45 per day |
| Cell Phone Waiting Lot | Free |
Where the money actually goes at DEN
The gap between the cheapest and dearest parking here is $35 a day β $10 at the pikes peak / longs peak shuttle lots β daily versus $45 at the premium reserved (level 4, next to terminal) β daily. Over a week that is $245, for the same trip.
Calculated from the published rates in the table above β not an estimate. Rates change, so confirm before you book.
π Getting to & from the airport
The easiest car-free option is the RTD A-Line commuter rail, which runs directly between the airport station (attached to the terminal) and Denver Union Station downtown in about 37 minutes for roughly $10 one-way. Trains run frequently β about every 15 minutes during the day. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) and taxis pick up on Level 5 of the terminal (islands on the east and west sides); follow signs to the app-based rideshare zone. Hotel and off-airport parking shuttles, plus regional mountain shuttles to ski resorts, also load on Level 5. The Pikes Peak and Longs Peak shuttle lots run free 24/7 shuttles every 7β10 minutes.
DEN vs DFW vs ORD: which airport is easier?
How the traveler experience compares, side by side.
ποΈ Lounges
DEN's lounges are spread across all three concourses. Concourse B is United's hub, with large United Clubs. Near Concourse A you'll find a Capital One Lounge and a United Club, and Concourse C holds an American Airlines Admirals Club plus an American Express Centurion Lounge on Level 3. Several lounges accept Priority Pass, and Frontier and other carriers have their own smaller spaces. Since the concourses are airside-connected by train, in a pinch you can ride to another concourse to reach a specific lounge, but plan the extra time.
πΆ Wi-Fi
Free unlimited Wi-Fi covers the whole airport β connect to 'DEN Airport Free WiFi' (there's also a 'DEN Airport Free WiFi 2.4' network). No login or time limit.
π΄ Layovers & overnight
Long layovers at DEN are comfortable because all three concourses stay airside and the 24-hour train makes it easy to roam for food and seating. Concourse B (United) generally has the widest dining and lounge selection. For overnight stays, the on-site Westin Denver International Airport sits right above the train hall between the terminal and the A-Line station β you can walk to it without leaving airport grounds, making it the go-to for an overnight without a shuttle. If you're sleeping in the terminal, the main Jeppesen hall and the concourses have seating, but expect early-morning cleaning activity.
Insider tips
- All three concourses stay airside β take the underground train to change gates and you'll never re-clear security.
- Trains leave every couple of minutes, but the ride to Concourse C can take up to 10 minutes; don't cut a tight connection too fine.
- The A-Line train to Union Station (~$10, ~37 min) beats a rideshare in traffic and drops you in the heart of downtown.
- The 61st & PeΓ±a lot (~$7/day) is the cheapest on-airport parking with a free shuttle; the Pikes Peak/Longs Peak lots (~$10/day) run shuttles every 7β10 minutes.
- The Westin is physically connected to the terminal above the train hall β the best overnight option if you don't want to leave the airport.
DEN airport β FAQ
οΌ β How much is parking at DEN?
The close-in East/West Garages run about $5 per hour, capped near $28 per day. Economy lots are about $17 per day, and the shuttle lots are cheaper β the Pikes Peak/Longs Peak lots run about $10 per day, and the 61st & PeΓ±a lot is the cheapest on-airport option at about $7 per day, both with free shuttles. Premium Reserved next to the terminal is about $45 per day, and the Cell Phone Waiting Lot is free.
οΌ β How do I get from DEN to downtown Denver?
Take the RTD A-Line commuter rail from the airport station directly to Union Station downtown β about 37 minutes for roughly $10 one-way, with trains about every 15 minutes during the day. Rideshare and taxis pick up on Level 5 of the terminal.
οΌ β How do I get between concourses at DEN?
Ride the free Automated Guideway Transit System β an underground train connecting the Jeppesen Terminal with Concourses A, B, and C. It runs 24 hours a day, departs about every two minutes, and stays airside, so you never re-clear security. Concourse A also has a walkable pedestrian bridge from the terminal.
οΌ β Is Wi-Fi free at DEN?
Yes. Connect to 'DEN Airport Free WiFi' for free, unlimited Wi-Fi with no login or time limit. It covers the entire terminal and all three concourses.
οΌ β Is there a hotel inside DEN?
Yes. The Westin Denver International Airport sits directly above the train hall between the terminal and the A-Line station, connected to the airport so you can walk there without a shuttle β ideal for an overnight layover.
Sources & official links
This guide is independent and not affiliated with Denver International Airport. Parking rates, terminal layouts, and transit options change often β always confirm on the airport's official website before you travel.