Denver Airport to Downtown
Denver International Airport sits about 25 miles from downtown. Here is how the train, a car and rideshare compare, and which one fits your trip.
The simplest way from Denver International Airport to downtown is the RTD A Line commuter train, which runs from the airport to Denver Union Station in about 37 minutes. Driving takes 30 to 45 minutes in normal traffic via Peña Boulevard. Rideshare and taxis take about as long as driving and cost the most, but they drop you at the door.
If you are staying downtown and not heading to the mountains right away, the train is usually the best choice. If your first stop is Boulder, the foothills or a ski town, pick up a car at the airport instead.
The A Line train
The A Line is RTD's commuter rail line between Denver Airport Station and Union Station in Lower Downtown.
The airport station sits at the south end of the Jeppesen Terminal, next to the hotel. From baggage claim, follow the signs for the train to the plaza level and walk south; it takes a few minutes, longer with a lot of luggage. Trains run about every 15 minutes for most of the day and less often early in the morning and late at night.
Buy your ticket before you board, either at the machines on the platform or in RTD's mobile ticketing app. Trips that start or end at the airport use the airport fare, which is higher than a regular local fare, so check the current price on RTD's site rather than relying on an old guidebook.
Along the way the train stops at Central Park, where many airport hotels run shuttles, and at 38th and Blake, the closest stop to the RiNo Art District. Union Station is the end of the line. From there you can walk to most LoDo hotels, catch the free 16th Street FreeRide shuttle toward the Capitol, or connect to light rail and buses.
Driving from the airport
Rental car companies at Denver International Airport operate from lots outside the terminal. Shuttle buses run from the terminal to each company, so build in extra time before you are actually on the road.
From the airport, Peña Boulevard runs south and west to I-70. Downtown is reached by continuing west on I-70 and then taking I-25 south, or by surface streets from the east. In light traffic the drive is roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Weekday rush hours, game days and snow can stretch that considerably.
E-470, which also connects to Peña Boulevard, is a toll road that bills by license plate. If you use it in a rental car, the rental company will usually pass the toll on to you along with a fee, so read the toll section of your agreement first.
Downtown hotels charge for overnight parking and street parking is metered. If you only need a car for one day, for Red Rocks or a mountain drive, it is often simpler to take the train in and rent from a downtown location for that day.
Which option fits your trip?
Staying downtown, no mountains
Take the A Line to Union Station. Walk or use the FreeRide shuttle for the rest of your stay.
Downtown first, mountains later
Train in, then rent a car for just the day or days you leave the city.
Straight to Boulder or the foothills
Rent at the airport. You will need the car on day one.
Late night, family or lots of luggage
Rideshare or a taxi to the door is worth the extra cost.
Denver sits at 5,280 feet. Most mild altitude symptoms show up 6 to 24 hours after you arrive, so drink more water than usual on your first day and save the hardest hike for later. Our Denver itinerary planner builds that easy first day in.
Denver airport transfer FAQ
How long is the train from Denver airport to downtown?
The RTD A Line takes about 37 minutes from Denver Airport Station to Denver Union Station. Allow extra time to walk from your gate and baggage claim to the station at the south end of the Jeppesen Terminal.
How far is Denver International Airport from downtown Denver?
About 25 miles northeast of downtown. By car, the trip uses Peña Boulevard and then I-70 or I-25 and usually takes 30 to 45 minutes, longer at rush hour or in snow.
Does the A Line run all night?
No. The A Line runs from early morning until after midnight, with trains roughly every 15 minutes for most of the day and less often early and late. For a very early flight or a late arrival, check RTD's current first and last train times before you rely on it.
Do I need a rental car in Denver?
Not for downtown, LoDo, RiNo, the Golden Triangle or Capitol Hill, which are walkable and connected by the A Line and the free 16th Street FreeRide shuttle. A car becomes useful for Red Rocks, Golden, Boulder and the mountains, and many visitors rent one only for those days.
More Denver guides
Deeper guides on this site, each covering one part of a Denver trip properly.
Companion guides for the rest of the state: Colorado What To Do, Colorado What's Up, Colorado Camping Spots, Best Restaurant Denver, Best Denver Hotel.