From baggage claim at Denver International to the A Line platform
Step off the plane at Denver International Airport and you are already halfway to downtown. The question of how to get from Denver airport to downtown starts the moment you follow the signs for baggage claim and ground transportation. Stay on the east side of each terminal level and watch for the clear rail icons that point you toward the Regional Transportation District transit center.
Once you collect your luggage at Denver International, ignore the first wave of taxi drivers and shuttle representatives and instead follow the overhead signs marked "Transit Center" and "Rail." The walk from the main terminal to the RTD rail station is short, fully indoors, and designed for rolling suitcases, so even tired business travelers can manage it comfortably. You will exit the terminal building onto the open air plaza, then descend by escalator or elevator to the A Line platform that links the airport to Union Station in downtown Denver.
The rail platform at the airport transit center sits directly beneath the Westin, which is the flagship airport hotel for travelers who need to sleep steps from the station. From this airport hotel level you can see the tracks, the RTD staff, and the digital boards that list the next train from DEN to the city. Clear signage shows that every A Line train goes to Denver Union Station, so there is no guesswork about which ride to board or which direction to face.
For travelers comparing hotels before they land at Denver Airport, this physical layout matters more than any lobby design. A hotel Denver property in LoDo or near Union Station gives you easy access to the A Line on arrival and to light rail or bus connections later. If you prefer to stay in Denver downtown proper, you can still use the same station as your anchor, then walk or ride a short bus hop to your final hotel.
Paying the fare and boarding the A Line from DEN
Payment is the quiet genius of the A Line, and it shapes how to get from Denver airport to downtown more than any glossy brochure. At the airport DEN station you can tap a contactless bank card or phone on the RTD validator, buy a paper ticket from the machine, or load credit into the MyRide app before you even leave home. The fare is a flat regional price between Denver Airport and Union Station, which keeps the mental math simple for both solo travelers and families.
Machines at the rail station accept cards and cash, and they print a ticket that is valid for a set duration on all RTD public transit in the metro area. If you plan to ride a bus or connect to light rail from Denver Union Station after the airport segment, that same fare covers the full journey within the time window. Frequent riders who stay at hotels near downtown Denver often prefer the MyRide app, because it tracks transfers automatically and removes any guesswork about zones or upgrades.
Trains depart Denver International every 15 minutes during the main part of the day and every 30 minutes early or late, which makes the service feel more like a metro than a commuter line. The ride from DEN to Union Station takes about 37 minutes, and the rail cars have dedicated luggage racks near the doors so you are not wrestling suitcases into overhead bins. Seats are wide, the aisles are generous, and the atmosphere is usually a mix of locals, flight crews, and visitors heading for hotels in LoDo, RiNo, and beyond.
Compared with a taxi or airport shuttle, the predictability of the A Line is its real luxury. Traffic on the highway from Denver Airport into the city can be heavy, especially during evening rush hours when ground transportation slows to a crawl. On the train you glide past the congestion, watching the Front Range appear through the windows while you check in to your hotel Denver reservation from your phone.
For travelers who still want a car later in the trip, it often makes sense to ride the A Line first and then pick up a vehicle near downtown. You can compare options for smart Denver car rental deals for hotel guests by reviewing how to choose a rental once you are in the city. That way you avoid paying for a car to sit idle during your first meetings or your initial evening in Denver downtown.
When the train wins, when a shuttle or taxi makes more sense
For most travelers focused on how to get from Denver airport to downtown, the A Line is the default choice. The combination of a fixed fare, frequent service, and direct access to Union Station beats a taxi or rideshare on both price and predictability. If your hotel is within a short walk of the station, the train is almost always faster than any car based transportation from Denver International.
There are exceptions, and they matter if you are arriving with heavy luggage, traveling in a large group, or staying at an airport hotel on the edge of the metro area. In those cases, pre booked airport shuttles or a dedicated airport shuttle from DEN can be more comfortable, because they drop you directly at the lobby without a transfer. Some hotels near the east side of the airport DEN complex run their own airport shuttles, which can be convenient if your flight lands very late and rail service has thinned out.
Taxi ranks sit just outside the terminal doors at Denver Airport, and a metered ride to downtown Denver can be appealing after a long international flight. The cost is significantly higher than the rail fare, but for two or three people with multiple bags the door to door simplicity can justify the price. Rideshare services operate from designated pickup zones, and they are useful if you are heading from Denver to neighborhoods far from Union Station such as the Tech Center or the western suburbs.
Travelers who plan to stay entirely car free should still think carefully about their hotel choice before they leave from Denver International. Properties clustered around Union Station, LoDo, and central downtown offer the best easy access to public transit, including light rail, local bus lines, and the free MallRide shuttle along 16th Street. For a deeper guide to where to stay in Denver without a car and how to use transit once you arrive, study this overview of the best areas and transit tips for car free stays.
From Union Station to your hotel: walking, light rail, and buses
Stepping off the A Line at Union Station is the moment Denver becomes legible. The historic hall is both a rail hub and a living room for the city, with cafés, bars, and hotel options wrapped around the grand interior. From here your route to the final hotel depends on whether you are staying in LoDo, the central business district, RiNo, or another slice of the metro area.
Hotels in LoDo and much of downtown Denver sit within a 500 to 900 metre walk of Union Station, which makes the station a de facto lobby for business travelers. If your hotel Denver booking is in the central business district, you can roll your luggage a short distance or hop on the free MallRide bus that shuttles along 16th Street. This bus service runs frequently, and it is designed as a simple connector from Union Station to the heart of downtown without any fare or ticketing complexity.
For neighborhoods beyond walking distance, the RTD light rail network fans out from the Union Station platforms and from nearby stops along the downtown spine. Lines head south toward the Denver Tech Center, west toward the stadiums, and east toward residential districts, all on the same integrated fare system you used from DEN. Local buses leave from the underground bus concourse beneath the station, which functions as the main transit center for the region and offers sheltered access in all seasons.
Travelers staying in RiNo, LoHi, or the Highlands often choose a short rideshare or taxi from Union Station, especially late at night when luggage and altitude start to weigh. The ride is brief, the cost is modest compared with the airport segment, and you still avoid the long highway slog from Denver Airport. Once you are checked in, you can explore nearby breweries, galleries, and riverfront paths on foot, or plan a day of easy hikes using this guide to beginner friendly trails close to your hotel.
Do you need a car for a downtown based Denver stay ?
The honest answer is that many visitors do not need a car at all when they focus on how to get from Denver airport to downtown and choose their neighborhood wisely. If your hotel sits near Union Station, LoDo, or the central business district, you can rely on rail, bus, and short rideshares for almost every movement. The combination of the A Line, light rail, local buses, and walkable streets makes a car feel more like a burden than a freedom.
Business travelers who spend weekdays in offices near downtown Denver often find that a car remains parked in the garage while they walk between meetings. For evening and weekend hours, public transit and short ride services connect you to RiNo breweries, Cherry Creek shopping, and cultural venues in Capitol Hill without the stress of parking. If you want to explore mountain trailheads, you can rent a car for a single day from locations near your hotel Denver address instead of paying for a full week of unused capacity.
Families sometimes worry about managing luggage and children on public transit from Denver Airport, but the A Line cars are designed with wide doors and dedicated baggage areas. Once you reach Union Station, elevators and ramps provide step free access to the street, and many hotels in the area offer early check in or luggage storage so you can lighten your load. In practice, the most tiring part of the journey is often the flight itself, not the rail ride from DEN.
For travelers who still crave the psychological comfort of a vehicle, a hybrid strategy works well. Arrive by rail from Denver International to Union Station, settle into your hotel, then rent a car only for the days when you leave from Denver to explore the foothills or ski areas. In a city where the best evenings end with a slow walk back through downtown rather than a search for parking, the real luxury is not the car in the garage but the freedom to ignore it.
FAQ
How long does the train from Denver Airport to downtown take ?
The A Line rail service from Denver Airport to Union Station in downtown Denver takes about 37 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes during most of the day and every 30 minutes early in the morning and late at night. This timing is usually more predictable than driving, because it avoids highway traffic between the international airport and the city.
How much does it cost to ride the A Line from DEN ?
The fare between Denver International Airport and Union Station is a flat regional price set by RTD. That ticket also covers transfers to local bus or light rail services within a set time window in the metro area. You can pay by tapping a contactless card or phone, using the MyRide app, or buying a paper ticket at the station machines.
Is it easy to reach my hotel from Union Station without a car ?
Many hotels in downtown Denver and LoDo are within a short walk of Union Station, so you can roll your luggage directly to the lobby. For properties farther along 16th Street, the free MallRide bus offers a simple connection without any extra fare. Light rail and local buses from the transit center beneath the station extend your reach to other neighborhoods without needing a rental car.
When should I choose a taxi or shuttle instead of the train ?
A taxi or airport shuttle can make sense if you arrive very late, carry unusually heavy luggage, or stay at an airport hotel far from the rail line. In those cases, door to door ground transportation from Denver Airport may be more comfortable, even though it costs more than the A Line fare. For most daytime arrivals headed to downtown based hotels, the train remains the most efficient option.
Can I stay near the airport and still visit downtown easily ?
Yes, several airport hotels near Denver International offer quick access to the transit center or run their own airport shuttles. You can ride the A Line from DEN to Union Station for day or evening visits to downtown Denver, then return to the hotel by rail later. This setup works well for travelers with early flights who still want a taste of the city without committing to a full downtown stay.