RTD’s A Line reaches Denver Union Station from DIA in about 37 minutes, and the Airport Day Pass costs $10.
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Traffic on Peña Boulevard can turn an airport transfer into an expensive wait. The DIA train to downtown Denver avoids that uncertainty: take Regional Transportation District’s A Line from Denver Airport Station to Denver Union Station.
The train is usually the strongest choice for solo travelers, couples, and anyone staying near Union Station or Lower Downtown. A taxi or ride app can make more sense for a group heading to a hotel far from the station, especially with several large bags.
For live route choices between the airport and central Denver, compare the available rail and transfer options:
Denver Airport Train To Downtown: Fare, Frequency And Stops
The A Line covers the 23-mile route to Union Station in about 37 minutes. Trains generally run every 15 minutes during the main daytime window and every 30 minutes in the late evening and early morning.
A standard Airport Day Pass costs $10 and includes further RTD bus and rail travel for the same service day. Discount fares include airport travel for eligible riders, while passengers age 19 and under and active-duty US military personnel ride free with proof of eligibility.
Sign wording: Denver International Airport’s airline code is DEN, while DIA remains a common local abbreviation. Follow the airport signs marked “Train to Denver.”
How Do You Catch The A Line At DIA?
Denver Airport Station sits at the south end of Jeppesen Terminal, below the Westin hotel. From baggage claim, the route is indoors until the final escalator or elevator down to the open-air platform area.
- Collect your luggage on Level 5 of Jeppesen Terminal.
- Walk toward the south end of the terminal and follow signs for “Train to Denver.”
- Exit through the glass doors and descend to Level 1 at the DEN Transit Center.
- Buy an Airport Day Pass from a ticket vending machine, or purchase and activate a mobile ticket in RTD MyRide.
- Scan the mobile barcode at the platform validator when required, then board the westbound A Line for Union Station.
RTD commuter-rail cars are wheelchair accessible and have overhead storage plus luggage and bicycle racks. Keep valuables with you and leave aisles clear, since the train makes six intermediate stops before downtown.
DIA To Downtown Denver Options Compared
The A Line is the lowest fixed-price choice and has the most predictable travel time. Cars offer door-to-door service, but traffic, pickup waits, parking, and variable quotes can change the total.
| Transport Option | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| RTD A Line | About 37 minutes to Union Station | $10 Airport Day Pass |
| Downtown taxi | About 30–45 minutes in normal traffic | $72.04 Zone A flat fare; tip extra |
| Uber or Lyft | About 30–45 minutes, plus pickup time | Live app quote; surge pricing varies |
| Shared van | Often 45–90 minutes with other stops | Provider quote set before travel |
| Prearranged car or limousine | About 30–45 minutes | Operator quote; reservations required |
| Rental car | About 30–45 minutes after shuttle and pickup | Rental, fuel, parking, and possible tolls |
| Friend or family pickup | About 30–45 minutes after meeting on Level 4 | No airport pickup fee; fuel and parking if used |
RTD’s official fare table lists the $10 Airport Day Pass and the current discount rules. Buy the airport product rather than a standard local pass, because every trip beginning or ending at Denver International Airport falls in the Airport Fare Zone.
Is The Train Better Than A Taxi Or Rideshare?
The train is the better value for one or two adults going to central Denver, while a direct car becomes more attractive for a larger group or an address well beyond Union Station. The right comparison is door to door, not platform to curb.
Four adults pay $40 total for the A Line. Denver’s current downtown taxi flat fare is $72.04 before a tip, so splitting a taxi four ways can narrow the gap to about $18 per person and remove the need for a second transfer.
- Choose the A Line for a fixed fare, no road-traffic delay, and easy access to Union Station.
- Choose a taxi or ride app when your hotel is several miles from Union Station or your party can fill one car.
- Choose a rental car only when driving beyond Denver is part of the trip; downtown parking can erase any airport-transfer advantage.
Snow and peak-hour traffic can make the train’s scheduled time more valuable. Rail maintenance and service incidents can still happen, so check RTD service alerts before leaving baggage claim.
Union Station Connections And Hotel Areas
Union Station is a convenient arrival point for Lower Downtown, the Dairy Block, Coors Field, and hotels around Wynkoop and Wewatta streets. Hotels near the Colorado Convention Center, Civic Center, Capitol Hill, or Cherry Creek usually require a walk, local transit connection, or short car ride.
Compare downtown stays against Union Station before deciding whether the train leaves you close enough to walk:
Union Station has local bus and rail links, taxi and ride-app pickup areas, food outlets, and indoor waiting space. Late-night arrivals should confirm the final connection to the hotel before boarding at the airport, since local service may be less frequent than the A Line.
Late Arrivals, Bags And Schedule Gaps
The A Line runs from early morning until after midnight, but service is not continuous through every overnight hour. First and last departures vary by day, and scheduled work can replace or delay trains.
Travelers landing near the final departure should allow time for taxiing, baggage claim, and the walk to the Transit Center. Missing the last train leaves taxis, Uber, Lyft, or a prearranged car as the practical fallback.
Large suitcases are permitted, and the rail cars include luggage storage. A direct car may still be easier for travelers managing mobility equipment, several bags, young children, or a downtown address that needs another transfer.
Choose The A Line When Price And Predictability Matter
The A Line is the strongest overall pick for most travelers headed from Denver International Airport to central Denver. It costs $10, takes about 37 minutes to Union Station, and avoids the traffic risk that can stretch a road transfer.
- For budget: take the A Line and use the included RTD day access for any onward local trip.
- For speed to a hotel door: use a taxi or ride app when traffic is light and the address is far from Union Station.
- For a group: compare the total car quote against $10 per adult, then account for the final transfer from Union Station.
- For a late landing: check the westbound schedule before takeoff and keep a car option ready if the arrival is close to the final train.
Check the departure that matches your landing time and compare backup transfers here:
References & Sources
- Regional Transportation District.“Fares.”Lists the current Airport Day Pass price, Airport Fare Zone rules, and rider discounts.