Denver Airport to City Center

Quick answer: best way from Denver Airport to the city center

• Best overall for most visitors: RTD A Line train to Denver Union Station
• Best for Downtown Denver: A Line to Union Station, then walk, Free MallRide, light rail, bus or short taxi
• Best for Union Station / LoDo: A Line directly to Union Station
• Best for 16th Street Mall: A Line to Union Station, then Free MallRide or walk depending on hotel location
• Best for Colorado Convention Center: A Line to Union Station, then light rail, bus, Free MallRide plus walk, or short taxi
• Best for RiNo: A Line to 38th & Blake or Union Station depending on exact destination
• Best with heavy luggage: taxi, rideshare, shared van or private transfer
• Best for Cherry Creek: taxi, rideshare or A Line plus local connection depending on luggage
• Best for Boulder or ski resorts: shuttle, regional bus, rental car or private transfer
• Main mistake to avoid: assuming Union Station is walking distance from every Denver hotel

Option	Best for	Typical travel time	Main advantage
RTD A Line train	Downtown Denver, Union Station, LoDo, solo travelers, budget travelers, traffic-free airport transfer	Around 37 minutes to Denver Union Station	Direct, reliable and usually the best-value airport transfer
Taxi	Families, luggage, hotels away from rail, late arrivals, direct door-to-door travel	Around 25–45+ minutes depending on traffic and destination	Immediate service from official taxi stands
Rideshare	App users, couples, groups, hotels away from Union Station, flexible pricing	Around 25–45+ minutes depending on pickup time, traffic and surge pricing	Cashless app-based ride with direct hotel drop-off
Shared van / airport shuttle	Hotel drop-off, groups, travelers wanting assistance, suburban or convention travel	Around 45–60+ minutes depending on stops and route	Can provide hotel or group-oriented service
Private transfer	Premium travelers, business travelers, families, groups, ski or mountain connections	Around 25–60+ minutes depending on destination	Pre-booked door-to-door travel with fixed pickup arrangements
Rental car	Mountain trips, national parks, ski resorts, multi-day Colorado road trips	Variable; rental car shuttles add time at the airport	Best flexibility outside Denver city center
Regional bus / mountain shuttle	Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, ski resorts, mountain towns	Route dependent	Useful for destinations beyond Downtown Denver

Where is Denver Airport?

Denver International Airport is located northeast of Downtown Denver. It is one of the largest airport sites in the world by area and is farther from downtown than airports in cities such as Boston or Seattle. This distance makes choosing the right airport transfer especially important.

The airport’s main passenger building is Jeppesen Terminal. From the concourses, passengers reach the terminal by airport train or walkway depending on concourse and arrival path. Ground transportation, baggage claim, taxis, rideshares, buses and the airport train are arranged across different levels of the terminal.

The public train station is located at the Denver Airport Transit Center, near the Westin Denver International Airport hotel. This is where travelers board the RTD A Line toward Downtown Denver and Union Station.

Many first-time visitors say “Denver city center” when they really mean different areas: Union Station, LoDo, Downtown Denver, 16th Street Mall, Colorado Convention Center, Civic Center, Capitol Hill, RiNo, Cherry Creek or Denver Tech Center. The best airport transfer depends strongly on which area your hotel is in.

Best overall option: RTD A Line train

The RTD A Line train, officially the University of Colorado A Line, is usually the best way to travel from Denver Airport to the city center. It runs directly between Denver Airport Station and Denver Union Station. For most visitors staying in Downtown Denver or LoDo, it is the best combination of price, reliability and simplicity.

The A Line is especially useful because it avoids traffic on Peña Boulevard and I-70. Road transfers can be fast when traffic is light, but they can also be delayed by congestion, weather, construction or events. The train provides a more predictable journey time to Union Station.

Union Station is also a very useful arrival point. It connects with RTD buses, light rail, Free MallRide, regional buses, Amtrak, restaurants, hotels and central Denver attractions. If your hotel is close to Union Station, the airport train is usually the obvious choice.

Choose the A Line if:

• you are travelling alone or as a couple,
• you want the best-value airport transfer,
• your hotel is near Union Station, LoDo or Downtown Denver,
• you want to avoid highway traffic,
• you have one manageable suitcase,
• you are comfortable buying an Airport Day Pass or using RTD payment options,
• you are connecting to RTD light rail, buses or Free MallRide,
• you are arriving during A Line operating hours.

How to take the A Line from Denver Airport to Downtown Denver

1. After landing, follow airport signs toward baggage claim and ground transportation.
2. Go to the Denver Airport Transit Center, located near the Westin Denver International Airport hotel.
3. Use RTD ticket vending machines, Tap-n-Ride, MyRide or another accepted RTD payment option.
4. Buy or validate the correct Airport Day Pass or airport-valid fare product.
5. Board the A Line train toward Denver Union Station.
6. Ride to Denver Union Station in Downtown Denver.
7. Continue by walking, Free MallRide, RTD bus, light rail, taxi, rideshare or hotel shuttle depending on your final destination.

The A Line is easy to use compared with many airport rail systems because it has one clear airport-to-downtown purpose. The key decision is not whether the train reaches downtown; it does. The real question is whether Union Station is convenient for your exact hotel or destination.

Denver Airport Transit Center explained

The Denver Airport Transit Center is the main public transport point at DEN. It connects passengers with the RTD A Line train, buses, shuttles and other ground transportation services. It is located on Level 1 beneath or near the Westin Denver International Airport hotel area.

If you are taking the airport train, do not go to the taxi or rideshare pickup areas first. Follow signs for public transit, train or Transit Center. The train station is separate from Level 5 taxi and rideshare pickup zones.

The Transit Center is especially useful because travelers can buy airport rail tickets, access RTD services and begin the direct trip to Union Station without going outside to a curbside pickup lane. This can be helpful in winter weather or during busy airport road congestion.

Denver Airport A Line stations tourists should know

Denver Airport Station

Denver Airport Station is the airport station for the RTD A Line. It is the starting point for most public transport trips from DEN to Downtown Denver. Use this station if you are travelling by rail from the airport.

61st & Peña Station

61st & Peña is close to the airport and is mainly useful for park-and-ride, local access and some airport-area journeys. Most visitors going downtown should stay on the train toward Union Station.

Central Park Station

Central Park Station can be useful for some hotels, residential areas and local bus connections east of central Denver. It is not the main downtown stop, but it may matter if your accommodation is near Central Park rather than Downtown Denver.

40th & Colorado Station

40th & Colorado serves northeast Denver areas and can be useful for some local connections. Most visitors should continue to Union Station unless their destination is specifically near this station.

38th & Blake Station

38th & Blake is useful for parts of RiNo, Five Points and north Denver. If your hotel, brewery, restaurant or apartment is in RiNo, compare 38th & Blake with Union Station before deciding where to exit.

Denver Union Station

Denver Union Station is the main downtown rail terminal and the most important arrival point for visitors using the A Line. It is best for LoDo, downtown hotels, 16th Street Mall, Free MallRide, Coors Field, Ball Arena, light rail, buses and many central attractions.

Denver Airport fare and RTD Airport Day Pass

Trips to or from Denver International Airport require an airport-valid RTD fare product for standard adult riders. The most important ticket for visitors is the Airport Day Pass, which is valid across the RTD system for one service day and includes airport travel.

This is different from a basic local fare. If you are travelling between DEN and Downtown Denver, make sure you have a fare product valid for the airport. Buying the wrong fare is one of the easiest mistakes to make if you are unfamiliar with RTD’s fare structure.

The Airport Day Pass can be useful even if you continue using RTD after reaching Union Station. For example, you might take the A Line from the airport to Union Station, then use Free MallRide, light rail or bus connections later in the same service day depending on your plans and fare validity.

If you want a full explanation of RTD fares, Airport Day Pass, Tap-n-Ride, MyRide, day passes, discounts, youth fares and payment methods, read our Denver Transport Tickets and RTD Pass Guide.

Tap-n-Ride, MyRide and ticket machines

RTD offers several ways to pay for travel, including ticket vending machines, mobile payment, MyRide and Tap-n-Ride. For visitors, the simplest airport strategy is usually to buy the correct airport-valid fare at the station or use an accepted tap payment method according to current RTD rules.

Ticket vending machines are useful if you prefer a clear paper or digital fare product before boarding. Tap-n-Ride can be convenient if you are comfortable tapping a contactless card or mobile wallet. MyRide can be useful for visitors who plan to ride RTD several times.

The most important rule is to make sure your payment method covers airport travel. A standard local pass that does not include the airport is not enough for a trip starting or ending at DEN.

Denver Airport to Union Station

Union Station is the best destination from Denver Airport by public transport. The A Line runs directly from Denver Airport Station to Union Station, making this the simplest airport-to-downtown rail journey.

Union Station is the best stop if your hotel is in LoDo, near Wynkoop Street, Union Station itself, Dairy Block, McGregor Square, Coors Field, Ball Arena or the northwest part of Downtown Denver. Many downtown hotels are walkable from Union Station, though the distance varies.

If your hotel is farther along 16th Street Mall, the Free MallRide or another downtown connection may be useful. If you have heavy luggage and your hotel is not close, a short taxi or rideshare from Union Station may be easier than walking.

Denver Airport to LoDo

LoDo, short for Lower Downtown, is one of the easiest areas to reach from Denver Airport by public transport. Take the A Line to Union Station, then walk to your hotel or destination.

LoDo is one of the best areas to stay if you want to use the airport train. It combines historic warehouses, restaurants, bars, hotels, Coors Field, Union Station and easy access to downtown transit.

If you are staying within a few blocks of Union Station, the A Line is usually far better value than taxi or rideshare. If your hotel is on the edge of LoDo with several bags, a short onward ride may still be useful.

Denver Airport to Downtown Denver

Downtown Denver covers a larger area than Union Station and LoDo. Depending on your hotel, the A Line may bring you close enough to walk, or you may need Free MallRide, light rail, bus, taxi or rideshare from Union Station.

If your hotel is near Union Station, LoDo or the northwest side of downtown, the train is excellent. If your hotel is near the Colorado Convention Center, Civic Center, Capitol Hill or the southeastern edges of downtown, the A Line is still useful but may require an additional local connection.

Do not judge the route only by the word “downtown.” Check the exact hotel address and walking time from Union Station. Denver blocks are manageable, but luggage, weather, elevation and late-night arrival can change the experience.

Denver Airport to 16th Street Mall

The 16th Street Mall is one of Denver’s central corridors. From the airport, take the A Line to Union Station, then use the Free MallRide, walk or take a short local connection depending on your destination.

If your hotel is near the Union Station end of 16th Street, walking may be easiest. If it is farther toward Civic Center or the convention center, Free MallRide or taxi may be more comfortable with luggage.

Because 16th Street can span a wide area, check which cross street your hotel is near before deciding whether to walk from Union Station.

Denver Airport to Colorado Convention Center

The Colorado Convention Center is a major destination for business travelers and conference visitors. It is not directly at Union Station, but the A Line is still a good first step for many travelers.

From Denver Airport, take the A Line to Union Station. From there, continue by Free MallRide plus walking, RTD light rail, bus, taxi or rideshare depending on luggage, weather and schedule.

Business travelers with rolling luggage may prefer a taxi or rideshare directly from DEN to a convention-area hotel, especially if arriving shortly before a meeting. Budget travelers and those staying near Union Station can use the A Line easily.

Denver Airport to Civic Center and Capitol Hill

Civic Center and Capitol Hill are southeast of Union Station. They are not the most convenient areas for a one-seat airport rail journey, but they are still reachable with a combination of A Line and local transit or a short taxi.

Take the A Line to Union Station, then continue by bus, light rail, Free MallRide plus walking, taxi or rideshare. If your hotel or apartment is deep in Capitol Hill, a direct rideshare from DEN may be simpler with luggage.

For travelers staying several days and planning to use RTD, learning local bus and light rail connections from Union Station can make these neighborhoods practical without a car.

Denver Airport to RiNo

RiNo, the River North Art District, is one of Denver’s popular restaurant, brewery and nightlife areas. Depending on your exact destination, the A Line can be useful because it stops at 38th & Blake Station, which is closer to parts of RiNo than Union Station.

If your hotel, apartment or brewery destination is near 38th & Blake, consider exiting there. If your destination is on the southwest edge of RiNo or closer to LoDo, Union Station may still be better.

RiNo is an example where checking the exact address matters. A rail stop may be close to one part of the neighborhood but not convenient for another.

Denver Airport to Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek is a popular shopping, dining and hotel district east/southeast of Downtown Denver. It is not directly served by the A Line. Travelers usually need a taxi, rideshare or A Line plus local connection.

For visitors with luggage, taxi or rideshare from Denver Airport to Cherry Creek is usually easier than rail plus bus. For budget travelers, public transport may be possible, but it usually requires more planning and more time.

If Cherry Creek is your base, compare the total cost of rideshares with the savings from staying outside downtown. For travelers planning frequent downtown visits, a downtown or Union Station hotel may be more convenient.

Denver Airport to Denver Tech Center

Denver Tech Center, often called DTC, is south of Downtown Denver. It is not the same as the city center and should not be treated as a downtown airport transfer.

RTD can connect the airport with parts of the metro area, but the journey to DTC may require a transfer from the A Line to light rail or other services. For many business travelers with luggage, taxi, rideshare or private transfer may be simpler.

If you are staying near an RTD rail station in the Tech Center area, public transport can work. If your office or hotel is not near transit, door-to-door transport is usually more efficient.

Denver Airport to Boulder

Boulder is a separate city northwest of Denver and is not reached by the A Line to Union Station alone. Travelers should consider regional bus service, shuttle, rideshare, rental car or private transfer depending on schedule, luggage and budget.

If Boulder is your final destination, do not automatically take the airport train to Union Station unless your planned route requires it. Check direct airport-to-Boulder transit or shuttle options first.

For visitors planning both Denver and Boulder, Union Station can be a useful hub, but the airport-to-Boulder journey needs its own route planning.

Denver Airport to ski resorts and mountain towns

Denver Airport is a major arrival point for travelers heading to Colorado ski resorts and mountain towns. Destinations such as Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Aspen and Steamboat Springs are not city-center trips.

For mountain travel, consider a ski shuttle, mountain carrier, rental car or private transfer. Public city transit is not designed to replace dedicated mountain transport.

If you are spending time in Downtown Denver before going to the mountains, the A Line to Union Station can work well for the city portion of your trip. For direct airport-to-ski travel, use a dedicated mountain transport option.

Taxi from Denver Airport to downtown

A taxi is the easiest traditional door-to-door option from Denver Airport to Downtown Denver. Taxis are available at official airport taxi stands and provide service to Denver metro destinations.

Taxi is especially useful if you have heavy luggage, travel with children, arrive late at night, stay far from Union Station or need direct hotel drop-off. It is also convenient if you do not want to navigate the Transit Center, ticket machines or local transfers after a long flight.

The main downside is cost. Taxi fares from DEN to central Denver are much higher than the A Line train. However, for families or groups, the per-person difference may be smaller, especially if the hotel is not close to Union Station.

Taxi is best if:

• you have heavy luggage,
• you are travelling with children,
• you arrive late at night,
• your hotel is far from Union Station,
• you are going to Cherry Creek, DTC or a suburban address,
• you want immediate door-to-door travel,
• your group can split the fare.

Rideshare from Denver Airport

Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft operate at Denver International Airport. They are useful for travelers who want app-based pricing, cashless payment and direct drop-off at a hotel, apartment, office or event venue.

Rideshare is often a good middle ground between train and taxi. It can be easier than the A Line if your hotel is far from Union Station, but it can be more expensive and more affected by traffic or surge pricing.

At DEN, rideshare pickup is organized in designated pickup areas. Always follow airport signs and app instructions after collecting luggage. Do not request a ride before you are ready to go to the pickup location, because large airports can involve long walks and pickup-zone confusion.

Rideshare is best if:

• you prefer app-based booking,
• you want direct hotel drop-off,
• you are travelling with moderate luggage,
• your destination is not close to Union Station,
• you want to compare Uber and Lyft prices,
• you arrive when train timing is less convenient.

Shared van and hotel shuttle from Denver Airport

Shared vans and airport shuttles can be useful for groups, travelers with luggage, conference attendees and visitors staying at hotels that participate in shuttle services. These services may take longer than taxi or rideshare because they can include multiple stops.

Shared vans are best when you value assistance, hotel drop-off or group coordination more than speed. They can also be useful if your destination is not close to Union Station but you do not want to book a private transfer.

Hotel shuttles are more common for airport-area hotels than central downtown hotels. Always check with your hotel before assuming a free shuttle exists.

Private transfer from Denver Airport

A private transfer is the premium option from Denver Airport to Downtown Denver, Cherry Creek, Denver Tech Center, Boulder, ski resorts or other Colorado destinations. It is pre-booked and usually offers direct pickup and drop-off.

This is the most comfortable option for families, business travelers, groups, VIP travelers, ski passengers with equipment or anyone arriving after a long flight. It is also useful if your destination is outside normal city transit coverage.

Private transfer is usually more expensive than taxi, rideshare or the A Line. The value comes from convenience, predictability and door-to-door service.

Rental car from Denver Airport

A rental car is usually unnecessary if you are only visiting Downtown Denver. Parking, traffic and hotel fees can make a car inconvenient in the city center. The A Line, walking, RTD, taxis and rideshares are usually enough for central Denver.

A rental car becomes more useful if your trip includes Rocky Mountain National Park, ski resorts, mountain towns, suburban meetings, Red Rocks, Garden of the Gods or a Colorado road trip. Denver is often the starting point for broader Colorado travel, and in those cases a car may be practical.

Rental car facilities at DEN are off-site and require shuttle access from the terminal. Factor this into your arrival time if you are picking up a vehicle after a long flight.

Best option by traveler type

Solo traveler

Use the A Line train if your destination is Downtown Denver, Union Station or LoDo. It is usually the best value and avoids traffic.

Couple

Use the A Line if your hotel is near Union Station. Compare rideshare if you have luggage or if your hotel is far from the station.

Family

Taxi, rideshare or private transfer may be easier with children, strollers and multiple bags. The A Line is still possible if your hotel is close to Union Station.

Business traveler

Use the A Line for Union Station, LoDo and downtown hotels. Use taxi, rideshare or private transfer for Cherry Creek, DTC, suburban offices or tight meeting schedules.

Convention visitor

Use the A Line to Union Station, then continue to the Colorado Convention Center by Free MallRide, light rail, bus, walking or short taxi depending on luggage and weather.

Ski traveler

Use a ski shuttle, mountain carrier, rental car or private transfer if heading directly to resorts. The A Line is useful only if you are spending time in Denver first.

Late-night traveler

Check train timing before relying on the A Line late at night. Taxi or rideshare may be easier if you arrive after a delay, with luggage or when local connections are limited.

Best option by destination