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ARRIVING AT

DENVER

Denver International Airport · United States
DEN
Low riskUpdated May 2026High confidence

Far from the city but the A-Line train makes it painless. Watch for unmetered town cars curbside.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

University of Colorado A-Line train

Typical fare
$10.50
Journey time
37 min to Union Station
Pickup
Westin hotel entrance, train level
WARNING · Don't take unmarked 'town cars' offering flat rates
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
A-Line Train
$10.50Every 15 min💳Card / Cash
Uber / Lyft
$45–$755–10 min📱App
Taxi
$65–$800–10 min💳Card / Cash—
Hotel shuttle
$25–$45Hourly💳Card—
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Follow signs to the Westin and train platform
  2. 2Buy A-Line ticket from machine ($10.50)
  3. 3Train every 15 min to Union Station
  4. 4For Uber/Lyft go to Level 5, Island 1 or 2
  5. 5Expect 35–50 min to downtown by car
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
82/ 100
Easy exit
  • Scam risk85
  • Public transport90
  • Ride-hailing85
  • Signage clarity80
  • Payment convenience85
04

Fare reality check

DEN → Downtown
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    $10.50–$70
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    $90+
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    $120+ town car
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    A-Line Train

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    $10.50
    Journey
    37 min
    Wait
    Every 15 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • No traffic
    • Direct to Union Station
    Cons
    • Long walk in terminal
  2. 2

    Uber / Lyft

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    $45–$75
    Journey
    35–50 min
    Wait
    5–10 min
    Payment
    📱 App
    Pros
    • Door-to-door
    Cons
    • Surge at peak
  3. 3

    Taxi

    Cost
    $65–$80
    Journey
    35–50 min
    Wait
    0–10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • Metered
    Cons
    • More expensive than rideshare
  4. 4

    Hotel shuttle

    Cost
    $25–$45
    Journey
    45–60 min
    Wait
    Hourly
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Direct
    Cons
    • Slow
06

Paying without surprises

07

Common scams

'Town car' flat rate

Medium risk

Driver at curb offers a $120 flat to downtown.

HOW TO AVOID · Use the app. Real rideshare is $45–$75.

Unmetered taxi

Medium risk

Driver skips the meter and quotes a flat fee.

HOW TO AVOID · Always insist on the meter or use rideshare.

08

What locals & travellers say

"A-Line is the obvious move — 37 min flat to Union Station."
Redditr/DenverChecked Apr 2025confirmed
"Rideshare from Level 5 only — don't follow anyone to a parking garage."
ForumTripAdvisorChecked Feb 2025confirmed
09

Arrival checklist

10

DEN arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Denver International Airport?
University of Colorado A-Line train. Don't take unmarked 'town cars' offering flat rates.
Are taxis at DEN safe?
Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: 'town car' flat rate — Driver at curb offers a $120 flat to downtown. Use the app. Real rideshare is $45–$75.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at DEN?
Yes — Uber / Lyft works at DEN. Typical cost $45–$75, journey ~35–50 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
How much should a taxi from DEN to the city centre cost?
Expected fare on the DEN → Downtown route is roughly $10.50–$70. Anything around $90+ is high — $120+ town car is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at DEN?
Carry small local notes — A-Line Train expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Denver International Airport?
Westin hotel entrance, train level. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is DEN safe to arrive at late at night?
DEN is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
What scams should I watch for at DEN?
The most reported at DEN: 'Town car' flat rate; Unmetered taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.
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