Denver International — RTD University of Colorado A Line
Denver International (DEN) to Denver — Updated 2026
Denver International (DEN) is 40 km northeast of downtown Denver — one of the world's largest airports by land area (137 sq km). The RTD University of Colorado A Line commuter rail is the primary public option — $10.50 one-way, 37 minutes to Denver Union Station (which connects to the entire RTD light rail + bus network). SkyRide (RTD express bus) is the alternative at $10.50 for hotel + Boulder connections. Uber/Lyft run $35-55 to downtown. DEN is unusual for a US airport in offering excellent rail — most US hubs still rely on shuttle buses. Trains run every 15-30 minutes from 03:15 to 01:20.
RTD University of Colorado A Line stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DEN Airport Station | 0 min | Underneath the Westin hotel, walkway from terminal |
| 61st & Peña | ~7 min | Suburban interchange |
| Central Park | ~20 min | Stapleton neighbourhood + shopping |
| 38th & Blake | ~30 min | RiNo (River North) arts district |
| Denver Union Station | 37 min | Downtown, Light Rail transfer, historic terminal |
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RTD University of Colorado A Line vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Line commuter rail | $10.50 | 37 min | Best for downtown + Union Station. Every 15-30 min. 03:15-01:20. |
| SkyRide Route AT / AA / AF | $10.50 | 55-75 min | Bus to hotels + Boulder + Golden. Runs every 30-60 min. |
| Uber / Lyft | $35-55 | 35-50 min | App-based. Fastest to specific hotels. |
| Rental car | $40-90/day | 35-50 min | DEN has 12+ rental agencies on-site. Best for Colorado touring. |
| Airport shuttle van | $25-45 | 45-75 min | Shared van (SuperShuttle, GO Shuttle). Cheaper for solo. |
FAQ
How long does the A Line take from Denver airport?+
37 minutes end-to-end from DEN Airport Station to Union Station, with 5 intermediate stops. Trains run every 15 minutes during peak (05:30-19:00) and every 30 minutes off-peak. First train 03:15, last train 01:20 — coverage matches most flight arrivals. $10.50 one-way, buy at station kiosk (card + Apple Pay + cash) or via RTD Mobile Tickets app.
Is the A Line worth it for one person?+
Yes — $10.50 vs $35-55 Uber saves $25-45. Even a couple saves $15+ vs ride-share. Only downside: if your hotel isn't near Union Station or a Light Rail transfer, add a $10-15 Uber from Union Station. For most downtown hotels: the A Line is a clear win.
Can I get to Boulder from Denver airport?+
Yes — SkyRide Route AB1 direct bus DEN → Boulder Downtown Station: $10.50, ~90 minutes. Alternatively: A Line to Union Station + FF1 Flatiron Flyer bus to Boulder ($10.50 total, 90-100 min). For groups: Uber is $75-110 for the 45-min direct drive.
Late-night DEN transport options?+
A Line runs until 01:20 outbound + 03:15 first inbound. Between those windows: Uber/Lyft (20-30 min typical wait), airport taxi ($55-75 to downtown), or overnight parking at a nearby hotel. SkyRide operates through the night on limited routes but frequency drops to hourly.
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