Airport Hubs:
DEN → Downtown Denver (Union Station, LoDo & 16th St Mall) Updated for 2026

Denver Airport to Downtown Denver: 2026 Transit Guide

Distance 40 km
Fastest 37 min
From $10.00 USD
Top Pick RTD A-Line Commuter Train (Direct to Union Station)
Quick 10-Second Verdict:

The #1 recommended option is the RTD A-Line commuter rail, departing right under the Westin Hotel at the south terminal exit directly to Denver Union Station in 37 minutes for $10.00 USD. The ticket includes a full day pass across the entire RTD transit network (youth 19 and under ride free). Taxis and Uber/Lyft cost $55–$75 USD and take 40–60 minutes depending on I-70 traffic.

Denver International Airport (DEN) sits 40 km (25 miles) northeast of Downtown Denver out on the plains. The electrified RTD A-Line "University of Colorado A Line" provides one of the smoothest, most dependable airport train links in the US, bypassing unpredictable I-70 snowstorms and traffic jams.

All Transfer Options Compared (2026 Fares)

Transport Option Typical Time 2026 Fare Frequency Best For Booking / Info
RTD A-Line Commuter Rail (Direct to Union Station) Best Overall
37 min
$10.00 USD
$10.00 USD (~€9.25)
 Every 15 min Fastest, cheapest, and most dependable transit to Downtown Denver hotels and dining See Boarding Steps ↓
Official Metered Taxi / Uber / Lyft Door-to-Door
35–60 min
$55 – $75 USD
$55 – $75 USD (~€51 – €70)
 On demand Door-to-door hotel delivery with ski bags or heavy family luggage Book Private Denver Transfer

Detailed Step-by-Step Transfer Options

Option #1 Best Overall

RTD A-Line Commuter Rail (Direct to Union Station)

$10.00 USD $10.00 USD (~€9.25)
Travel time 37 min
Frequency Every 15 min
Operating hours 03:30 – 01:00
Where to buy tickets Vending machines at the platform or tap contactless card at validators.
Main advantage: Takes exactly 37 minutes; zero traffic delays; $10.00 includes full-day RTD transit pass; runs every 15 mins.
Keep in mind: Brief 2.5-hour service pause between 01:00 AM and 03:30 AM.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Exit Level 5 baggage claim and walk through the south glass doors under the Westin Hotel.
  2. Take the escalator down to the open-air RTD train platform.
  3. Buy an "Airport Day Pass" ($10.00 USD) at the ticket kiosk or tap contactless.
  4. Board the train and ride 37 minutes directly into Denver Union Station (LoDo).
Option #2 Door-to-Door

Official Metered Taxi / Uber / Lyft

$55 – $75 USD $55 – $75 USD (~€51 – €70)
Travel time 35–60 min
Frequency On demand
Operating hours 24/7 continuous
Where to buy tickets Level 5, Island 5 (Rideshare) or curbside taxi queue.
Main advantage: Direct drop-off at your hotel; ideal for late-night arrivals (01:00–03:30 AM).
Keep in mind: I-70 highway delays during rush hours or heavy winter snowstorms; expensive.

Step-by-step from arrivals:

  1. Collect bags on Level 5.
  2. For Uber/Lyft: proceed out to Island 5 (Terminal East or West). For taxis: use curbside lane.
  3. Ride via Peña Boulevard and I-70 directly into downtown.
Book Private Denver Transfer
ARRIVAL CONNECTIVITY & RIDE-HAILING TIP

Need Mobile Data at the Terminal for Uber / Lyft & Maps?

Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber / Lyft pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.

Get United States eSIM on Airalo →Compare United States Airport eSIM on Klook →
STRESS-FREE DOOR-TO-DOOR OPTION

Prefer a Driver Waiting at Denver (DEN) Arrivals?

Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.

Check Denver Transfers & Rail Passes on Klook →View Airport & City Hotels on Klook →

Tickets, Luggage & Late-Night Arrivals

How Tickets & Payments Work

RTD Airport Day Pass costs $10.00 USD: buy at ticket vending machines on the train platform or tap your contactless credit card / phone at platform validators. Gives you unlimited rides on all RTD buses and light rail lines until 02:59 AM the next day. Youth 19 and under ride 100% free under the Zero Fare for Youth program.

Traveling with Suitcases

A-Line train cars feature overhead luggage racks, under-seat storage, and large dedicated luggage shelves near the doors with level platform boarding.

Arriving After Midnight

The A-Line runs almost around the clock: departures every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 19:30, and every 30 minutes until 01:00 AM, resuming at 03:30 AM.

Common Mistakes & Airport Scams to Avoid

  • Hailing an expensive taxi ($65+) when the A-Line train station is right outside the terminal doors, takes 37 minutes flat, and costs only $10.00.
  • Throwing away your $10.00 A-Line ticket — it acts as an unlimited transit pass for all Denver buses and trains for the rest of the day.
  • Watch out for aggressive private shuttle touts on Level 5 claiming train delays. The RTD A-Line train station is located directly under the Westin Hotel on the south end of Jeppesen Terminal with automated ticket machines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often does the A-Line train run from Denver Airport?

Every 15 minutes during peak hours (05:00 to 19:30) and every 30 minutes in early morning and late night.

Where is the train station at Denver Airport?

At the south end of Jeppesen Terminal on Level 1, directly beneath the Westin Denver International Airport Hotel.

Other Popular Destinations from Denver International Airport (DEN)