DEN · Denver, CO · Major Hub

Denver International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Denver International Airport (DEN), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international
  • To Denver: about 37 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Terminals & connections

Denver International Airport has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security. A single ticketing terminal leads to three airside-connected concourses via underground train. Concourse A is also reachable on foot via a pedestrian bridge.

Jeppesen Terminal (single terminal, three concourses A/B/C)

8 airlines: United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and more

Concourse A (international + Southwest), Concourse B (United hub), Concourse C (Southwest + others). Connected via underground train.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 15 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
Underground Train to Concourses (automated people mover)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave DEN.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at DEN is 30 minutes at peak and 10 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Main (south) and bridge (north) security checkpoints. Bridge tends to be faster. DEN has been known for very long peak-time waits.

Lounges

2 notable lounges at DEN, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

United Club

Concourse B

United / Star Alliance

Access: United Club membership, Polaris Business, Star Gold

Amenities: Bar, Buffet

The Club DEN

Concourse A

Priority Pass

Access: Priority Pass, day pass, select credit cards

Amenities: Hot food, Bar

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at DEN: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated very good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Lounges and Minute Suites (Concourse B)

Sleep pods

Available (from $42/hr)

Minute Suites (Concourse B)

WiFi

Free (very good)

Free 5G-speed WiFi with no sign-in.

Nursing rooms

Available

All three concourses

Chapel

Available

Jeppesen Terminal level 6

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas pre- and post-security on every concourse

Dining highlights

Concourse B: Elway's, Root Down

Ground transport to Denver

DEN is about 37 min from downtown Denver by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
RTD A Line
Train
Direct commuter rail from DEN to Denver Union Station; runs every 15 min.
 $10 37 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
DEN is 23 miles from downtown; surge pricing common.
 $40-$75 30-50 min
RTD bus SkyRide
Bus
Bus service to Boulder and other Front Range cities.
 $10 45-75 min

Parking

DEN parking ranges from $10/day economy to $36/day short-term. Pikes Peak and Mt. Elbert shuttle lots are cheapest.

Short-term
$36/day
Long-term
$25/day
Economy
$10/day
Valet
$45/day

Can I leave DEN during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside DEN. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Denver. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 14 min plus re-screening on return.

5+ hour layovers can visit Union Station and LoDo via the RTD A Line (37 min each way, $10 one-way). Budget at least 4 hours round trip including re-screening.

Overnight layover hotels

  • The Westin Denver International Airport
    On-airport
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at DEN?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from DEN, and 180 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at DEN can hit 30+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at DEN?

DEN requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at DEN?

Budget 5 min for same-terminal transfers and 10 min for different-terminal transfers at DEN via Underground Train to Concourses (automated people mover). A single ticketing terminal leads to three airside-connected concourses via underground train. Concourse A is also reachable on foot via a pedestrian bridge.

Can I leave DEN during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside DEN. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 74 minutes plus re-screening. 5+ hour layovers can visit Union Station and LoDo via the RTD A Line (37 min each way, $10 one-way). Budget at least 4 hours round trip including re-screening.

Does DEN have showers?

Yes, DEN has showers at Lounges and Minute Suites (Concourse B).

Does DEN have sleep pods?

Yes. Minute Suites (Concourse B) offers private sleep rooms starting around $42/hour.

Is WiFi free at DEN?

Yes. DEN offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free 5G-speed WiFi with no sign-in.

What is the cheapest way to get from DEN to Denver?

The cheapest option is typically RTD A Line at $10, taking 37-37 minutes. Direct commuter rail from DEN to Denver Union Station; runs every 15 min.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at DEN?

DEN supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 30 minutes. Main (south) and bridge (north) security checkpoints. Bridge tends to be faster. DEN has been known for very long peak-time waits.

Where should I eat at DEN during a layover?

Notable dining at DEN includes Elway's (Concourse B), Root Down (Concourse B).

How much does parking cost at DEN?

DEN parking rates: $36/day short-term, $25/day long-term, $10/day economy, $45/day valet. Pikes Peak and Mt. Elbert shuttle lots are cheapest.

Is there a hotel at DEN for overnight layovers?

Yes. The Westin Denver International Airport is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Are there pet relief areas at DEN?

Yes. Pet relief areas pre- and post-security on every concourse.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at DEN?

Yes. Jeppesen Terminal level 6.

Compare DEN to other airports

See how DEN ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers DEN is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods DEN has Minute Suites (Concourse B) from $42/hr Shortest MCT DEN dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

Airlines operating at DEN

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of DEN.

Pack for your Denver trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by DEN.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Denver International Airport before flying.