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Flying through Denver Airport? Here’s what you need to know about navigating the terminals, food spots, lounges, and travel tips to make your trip smooth.

On the Fly/AirportsAirportsYour Essential Guide to Denver International Airport (2026)Brittany AnasMay 8, 202612 min readTable of ContentsIf it’s your first time flying into Denver International Airport, you may feel a tad surprised during the descent. The third busiest airport in the world is smack-dab in the middle of a flat brown field —not exactly the best first impression of a state that’s nicknamed “Colorful Colorado” and renowned for its majestic snow-capped Rocky Mountains that kiss blue skies. But, even though it may feel as though you’re in the middle of nowhere, downtown Denver and its famed breweries, sports stadiums, and burgeoning arts and culture scene is just 25 miles away, those gorgeous mountains can be seen as soon as you step out of the airport, and the ski resorts are reachable within two hours. And, while you’re at DIA, you can get a taste of what the Mile High City has to offer, whether it’s with a scoop of ice cream at beloved dessert spot Little Man, a local craft beer, or by exploring some of the airport’s most secretive conspiracy theories. >> Read our guide to finding cheap flights from Denver. Worth noting: DIA is a little bit of a mess right now due to ongoing construction. The airport, which originally opened in 1995, started undergoing massive renovations in 2018, and the construction is expected to continue until at least 2028. Denver locals and frequent fliers coming through DEN share an inside joke: “Be like DIA, never stop working on yourself.” But if you find yourself in need of directions, the airport has friendly volunteers in vests that are encyclopedias of DIA knowledge and who can point you to the right security line, Uber pick up zones, or, yes, the smiling gargoyles that help perpetuate the conspiracy theories. Ahead, everything you need to know about Denver International Airport:Airport code: DENDistance from DEN to Denver: 25 milesTransport options: Train / Bus / TaxiAirlines served: Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Boutique Air, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Denver Air Connection, Edelweiss, Frontier Airlines, Icelandair, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa, Southern Airways Express, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, Volaris, West JetHubs for: Frontier Airlines, United AirlinesDomestic nonstop flights to: 180 destinationsInternational nonstop flights to: 14 destinationsTerminals: One main terminal, Jeppesen TerminalConcourses: Three concourses (Gates A, B, C)Gates: Gates B and C are accessible from Jeppesen Terminal only via the Train to the gates. Gate A can be reached by walking the passenger bridge or by taking the train from the terminal.On time departures: 84.9% in 2020, according to the Bureau of Transportation‍On time arrivals: 83.7% in 2020, according to the Bureau of Transportation‍Security wait times: Security wait times vary by time of day and year, however you can see real-time wait time data for all three security check points online at flydenver.com/security.Official website: https://www.flydenver.com/See Going's deals for cheap flights to Denver.About Denver AirportTerminals at DENThe Denver International Airport has one terminal: The 2.6 million square-foot Jeppesen Terminal. Passenger ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, international arrivals, shops, restaurants, and three TSA security checkpoints are all located within the single terminal. As you approach the airport, the Jeppesen Terminal is a sight to see: Its white peaked roof is designed to mimic Colorado’s snow-capped mountains and also evokes the state’s early history when Native American teepees were located across the Great Plains. Want to see the world without breaking the bank? Explore the cheapest places to fliy internationally and start your budget-friendly journey todayGetting between terminals at DENWhile there is just one terminal at DIA, there is an underground “people mover” train serving the terminal and the three gate areas, with signs directing you. Travelers can only reach Gates B and C by train. Gate A can be reached either by walking or by the train. Once you get through security, plan about 10 minutes for the people mover to get you to the gates. You rarely have to wait more than a couple of minutes for the trams to arrive, but sometimes they are too full and you’ll need to get in line for the next one. The first stop is gate A; second stop is gate B; and third stop is gate C. The train ride from the terminal to C gates is less than 10 minutes. The train stations are located in the center of the terminal and gate buildings.If you’re flying out of an A gate, there’s a passenger bridge that spans the taxiway—i.e. a scenic walk for the aviation obsessed. By the way: All international flights arrive at A gates, which leads passengers straight to customs. For those who aren’t able to walk, there are electric carts that can transport you to the ai...

Denver Airport: Tips, Layout & Everything You Should Know