Jazmin Li
Denver International Airport features a number of transport options, including the A Line commuter train, which offers a convenient connection between the airport and downtown Denver. The airport also features an Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS), which opened in 1995 and connects the airport concourses with the main terminal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) |
| Location | Denver International Airport, Colorado |
| Operator | Regional Transportation District (RTD) |
| Opening Date | February 28, 1995 |
| Distance | 23 miles from DEN to downtown's Denver Union Station |
| Travel Time | 37 minutes |
| Frequency | Every 15 minutes during peak travel times; every 30 minutes from 3 a.m.-5 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.-1 a.m. |
| Tickets | $10.50 per day for unlimited rides on the A Line during a single business day; tickets can be purchased using cash or credit cards at ticket vending machines or the RTD Information Booth |
| Passenger Capacity | Two paired cars accommodate 182 seated and 158 standing passengers |
| Stations | 8 stations, including Denver International Airport, 61st and Peña Boulevard, 40th Avenue and Airport Boulevard, 40th and Colorado Boulevard, 38th and Blake Street, and Denver Union Station |
| Parking | 4,300+ total parking spaces across stations; RTD Park n Ride parking is cheaper for in-district residents, with the first 24 hours free |
| Speed | Up to 79-80 mph |
What You'll Learn
The A Line commuter train
The A Line is easily accessible, with level boarding at all doors, and can accommodate various types of passengers and luggage. Each train has a passenger capacity of two paired cars, seating up to 182 passengers and providing standing room for 158 more. The trains also feature overhead storage, luggage towers, and bicycle racks, and each car has two dedicated wheelchair spaces.
The A Line runs every 15 minutes during peak travel times (from 5 am to 8 pm) and every 30 minutes outside of these hours (from 3 am to 5 am and 6:30 pm to 1 am). The first train leaves Union Station for the airport at 3 am, and the last train departs at 1 am. A one-way trip on the A Line costs $10, and tickets can be purchased using cash or credit cards at ticket vending machines located at the train stations or the DEN Transit Center.
There are eight stations along the A Line: Denver International Airport, 61st and Peña Boulevard, 40th Avenue and Airport Boulevard, 40th and Colorado Boulevard, 38th and Blake Street, and Denver Union Station. The train station at Denver International Airport is located by the Westin Denver International Airport Hotel, providing easy access for travellers.
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The airport rail line
The A Line commuter train, operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), offers a direct connection between Denver International Airport (DEN) and downtown Denver. The airport rail line, which opened in April 2016, provides a fast and convenient way to travel between the airport and the city centre.
The A Line covers a distance of 23 miles from DEN to Denver Union Station, located in the heart of downtown. The train ride takes approximately 37 minutes, making it a quick and efficient way to get to and from the airport. During peak travel times, trains run every 15 minutes, ensuring frequent and reliable service for passengers.
The A Line trains are spacious and well-equipped to handle passenger luggage. Each train has a capacity of 209 people, including seating for 91 individuals and two dedicated wheelchair spaces. Additionally, the trains feature overhead storage, luggage towers, and bicycle racks, making it convenient for passengers travelling with different types of baggage.
- Denver International Airport
- 61st and Peña Boulevard
- 40th Avenue and Airport Boulevard
- 40th and Colorado Boulevard
- 38th and Blake Street
- Denver Union Station
Denver Union Station, the final stop on the A Line, serves as the city's transportation hub. From here, passengers can easily connect to other local and regional transportation options, such as light rail, buses, Amtrak rail service, taxis, and free shuttle services.
The A Line trains are accessible and offer level boarding at all doors. The fare for the airport rail line is $10 each way, and tickets can be conveniently purchased through mobile ticketing, ticket vending machines at the stations, or at any RTD sales outlet.
In addition to the A Line commuter train, Denver International Airport also has an Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) that operates within the airport premises. This people mover system efficiently connects the distant concourses with the main terminal, known as the Jeppesen Terminal. The AGTS operates 24/7 and is an essential component of the airport's infrastructure, providing the only passenger access to Concourses B and C.
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The Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS)
The AGTS project was announced in October 1992 with a cost of $84 million. The initial system featured 16 cars paired in groups of four, riding on rubber wheels along a concrete track. Over the years, additional vehicles were added to the fleet, and in 2021, 26 new Innovia APM 300R vehicles were introduced, expanding the fleet to 41 automated vehicles, each with a maximum capacity of 100 passengers.
The AGTS operates bi-directionally, with trains running at 1.5-minute intervals during peak times, resulting in an 11-minute end-to-end travel time. The layout includes island platforms at each concourse station and a unique configuration at the Jeppesen Terminal, known as the Spanish solution, with additional side platforms for arriving passengers. The system is designed to provide the only passenger access to Concourses B and C, making it essential for the airport's full functionality.
The AGTS is also notable for its art installations, including "Train Call," an audio installation with station announcements and warning messages delivered by well-known voices from the Denver area, preceded by musical sound effects. Other art installations include the "Kinetic Light Air Curtain" in the east tunnel, featuring 5,280 propellers that spin when activated by wind from passing trains, and "Deep Time/Deep Space, A Subterranean Journey" in the west tunnel, showcasing coloured reflective metal strips and images inspired by Colorado's industrial and mining history.
The Denver International Airport's AGTS plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth and efficient transportation within the airport, connecting passengers to their concourses and enhancing their overall travel experience.
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The University of Colorado A Line
The A Line is operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and offers 23 miles of track from the airport to Denver Union Station. The journey takes 37 minutes, and trains run every 15 minutes during peak travel times, and every 30 minutes from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The A Line has eight stations along the route, with 4,300+ parking spaces used by commuters and travellers. Tickets are $10.50 per day and include unlimited rides on the A Line during a single business day.
The A Line was built as a public-private partnership between the RTD and Denver Transit Partners. It was approved as part of the FasTracks transit expansion package in November 2004 and opened on April 22, 2016. The line follows and remains within a mile of Interstate 25, Interstate 70, and the airport access highway (Peña Boulevard).
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The Regional Transportation District (RTD)
The A Line covers a distance of 23 miles from DEN to Denver Union Station in the heart of downtown. The train ride takes approximately 37 minutes, with a frequency of departures every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during off-peak hours. The trains can accommodate 182 seated and 158 standing passengers, with features such as overhead storage, luggage towers, and bicycle racks.
Tickets for the A Line can be conveniently purchased through mobile ticketing, ticket vending machines at the train stations, or at the RTD Information Booth at the Transit Center. The airport fare is $10.50 per day, including unlimited rides on the A Line and serving as a regional pass. The A Line has eight stations along its route, including Denver International Airport, 61st and Peña Boulevard, and Denver Union Station.
The RTD also offers a comprehensive light rail and bus system, providing connections to Union Station from across the metro area. This integrated transportation network allows passengers to leave their cars at home and easily navigate throughout Denver and its surroundings.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Denver International Airport has an Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) that opened in 1995. The AGTS operates 24/7 within the airport and connects the distant concourses with the main terminal.
The tram at Denver Airport is free to use within the airport. However, if you are referring to the A Line commuter train that travels between Denver Airport and downtown Denver, the fare is $$10.50 per day for unlimited rides.
The AGTS trains generally run at 1.5-minute intervals during peak times, resulting in an 11-minute travel time from end to end. Late in the evening and overnight, the system reduces to only one train in operation, which shuttles back and forth in one of the tunnels.
The AGTS at Denver Airport operates bi-directionally in a pinched-loop configuration using twin 1.25-mile (2.01 km) tunnels. There are four stations serving each airside concourse (Concourses A, B, and C) and the Jeppesen Terminal. The Jeppesen Terminal is for ground transportation and baggage claim.
