Denver International Airport to Downtown Denver: Route Options

For the trip from Denver International Airport (DEN) to downtown Denver, the A Line offers a direct rail connection to Denver Union Station in about 37 minutes. DEN estimates 25–35 minutes by taxi or rideshare and 45–60 minutes by shared van; road times depend on traffic.

• Train: A Line to Denver Union Station; about 37 minutes.
• Taxi or rideshare: pickup on Level 5; DEN estimates 25–35 minutes to downtown.
• Shared van: pickup on Level 5; DEN estimates 45–60 minutes.
• Rental car: counters are off-site, with a free shuttle from the terminal.

If you’re staying at Off Broadway B & B, DEN is about a 33-minute drive away. Your choice comes down to whether you prefer the train’s set journey time or a road transfer that can vary with traffic.

The RTD A Line is an electric commuter rail service linking Denver International Airport and Denver Union Station. Its 23-mile route has eight stations. The line opened in 2016, and RTD reported that it reached 50 million customer boardings in July 2024.

At DEN, head to the Airport Transit Center on Level 1, beneath the Westin Denver International Hotel. The trip to Union Station takes approximately 37 minutes.

RTD says its airport commuter trains are designed for passengers with luggage, with overhead compartments and designated luggage towers. Keep bags out of aisles and exits; train operators cannot load or unload luggage for you.

RTD lists a $10 Airport Day Pass, valid all service day across the system, including the airport. Its standard 3-Hour Pass is $2.75, but travel to or from DEN requires an Airport Fare.

The standard Day Pass is $5.50 and the Monthly Pass is $88. Discount fares apply to eligible seniors, people with disabilities, Medicare recipients and LiVE customers. Youth aged 19 and under and active-duty U.S. military ride free with proof of eligibility.

Fare details and service information can change. Before you go, check the official site for RTD’s current fares, schedules and service alerts.

A taxi or app-based ride takes you from the airport toward your destination without a train transfer. DEN estimates 25–35 minutes to downtown, although traffic affects road travel times. There’s no taxi or rideshare fare in the provided information, so compare the available prices when arranging your ride.

For taxis, go to Level 5, Island 1. The listed pickup doors are 505, 506, 507, 510, 511 and 512. For Uber and Lyft, go to Level 5, Island 5; listed doors are 504, 505, 506, 507, 510, 511, 512 and 513.

Follow the airport’s signs to the appropriate island and door for your chosen service. If you’re heading to an event at Ball Arena, factor in the road journey and traffic when planning your arrival.

A rental car gives you a vehicle for the onward trip, but the rental counters aren’t inside the terminal. DEN directs passengers to take the free shuttle from the Jeppesen Terminal pickup area to the off-site rental-car facilities. Rental cars aren’t permitted at the terminal curbside, so allow for the shuttle step when planning your departure.

The airport’s Ground Transportation Information Counter is in the Airport Transit Center, which also connects passengers with RTD trains and buses and parking shuttles. You can use it to orient yourself among the airport’s ground-transport options before continuing.

Shared-ride shuttles provide door-to-door service to hotels and other locations across the Denver metro area. DEN estimates 45–60 minutes to downtown by shared van. That can be a useful alternative to a train when you need a ride to a specific address, though the journey takes longer than the airport-to-Union-Station A Line trip.

Shared-van and commuter-shuttle pickups are on Level 5, Island 5, at doors 505 and 512. Hotel shuttles use Level 5, Island 3, at doors 505, 507, 510 and 512. Check with your hotel or shuttle provider about availability and arrangements before setting out; no shuttle prices are provided here.

Choose the A Line if Union Station works for your arrival and you want a rail trip with an approximately 37-minute journey time.

A taxi or rideshare can take you directly toward your destination, with DEN’s downtown estimate at 25–35 minutes depending on road conditions. Shared vans offer door-to-door service across the metro area, with a longer estimated downtown trip of 45–60 minutes.

If you’re renting a car, remember to include the free shuttle to the off-site counters in your airport plan. For any road option, allow flexibility for traffic. Check RTD and DEN’s official information before you go for current fares, schedules, pickup details and service conditions.