
Denver International Airport (DEN), often referred to as DIA by locals, is located on the western edge of the Great Plains and within sight of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The airport is about 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, Colorado, and is well-connected to the city and the state of Colorado. With 77.8 million passengers in 2023, it was the third busiest airport in the United States and the sixth busiest in the world.
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Denver International Airport is 25 miles from Downtown Denver
Denver International Airport (DEN) is located 25 miles northeast of Downtown Denver. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, ranking third in 2021, 2022, and 2023. DEN covers 33,531 acres, making it the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest on Earth. The airport is known for its extensive public art collection and Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions.
The drive from Downtown Denver to DEN usually takes around 30 minutes, and there are various transportation options available, including ridesharing services such as Uber. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates the A Line rail service, providing regular trips between the airport and Denver Union Station in downtown Denver. The journey takes approximately 37 minutes, and the train departs every 15 minutes.
For those driving to the airport from central Denver, the route passes through Aurora for about two miles. Aurora is also accessible via the A Line rail service, with two intervening stations. The city is closer to DEN than central Denver, and as a result, many airport-related services, such as hotels, are located there.
DEN is recognised for its luxurious offerings, boasting various shops, restaurants, and amenities. The airport has a single terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, and three midfield concourses with a total of 169 gates. Concourse A can be accessed directly from the terminal building via a pedestrian bridge or the underground train system, while Concourses B and C can only be reached by train.
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It is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area
Denver International Airport (DEN), often referred to by locals as DIA, is an international airport in the Western United States, primarily serving metropolitan Denver, Colorado, as well as the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. At 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 sq km), it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area. In fact, it is the second-largest airport in the world, behind King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
The airport is located on the western edge of the Great Plains and within sight of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It is 25 miles (40 km) driving distance northeast of Downtown Denver, which is 19 miles (31 km) farther than the former Stapleton International Airport, which DEN replaced. The airport is actually closer to the City of Aurora than central Denver, and many airport-related services, such as hotels, are located in Aurora. All freeway traffic accessing the airport from central Denver passes through Aurora for nearly 2 miles (3.2 km), making the airport a practical exclave.
Denver has traditionally been home to one of the busier airports in the United States because its midcontinent location is ideal for an airline hub. DEN has been among the top 20 busiest airports in the world and the top 10 busiest airports in the United States every year since 2000. In 2024, DEN set an all-time passenger record with 82,358,744 passengers served, up 5.8% from the previous year.
DEN has one terminal, named the Jeppesen Terminal, and three midfield concourses with a total of 169 gates in operation as of early 2025. The airport has 23 airlines operating from it, flying to about 215 destinations.
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DEN is the airport's IATA code
Denver International Airport, often referred to as DIA by locals, is located in the Western United States, primarily serving metropolitan Denver, Colorado. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, with a record of serving 82,358,744 passengers in 2024. DEN is the airport's IATA code.
The airport is situated 23 to 25 miles (37-40 km) northeast of Downtown Denver, and it is actually closer to Aurora than central Denver. Many airport-related services, such as hotels, are located in Aurora. The airport is on the western edge of the Great Plains, with a view of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
DEN serves 27 airlines (as of 2025) and provides non-stop service to 231 destinations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It is the largest operating hub for Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport covers a vast area of 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2), making it the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest worldwide in terms of land area.
Denver International Airport features an extensive public art collection and Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions. It offers a range of shops, restaurants, and amenities to enhance the travel experience. The Jeppesen Terminal at DEN spans 2.6 million square feet and includes various dining options, shops, and lounges.
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The airport is served by Greyhound buses
Denver International Airport (DEN) is located 23 miles (37 km) northeast of Downtown Denver, in Colorado. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving around 77.8 million passengers in 2023. The airport is served by Greyhound buses, which operate from the Denver Union Station Bus Concourse. This bus station is located at 1700 Wewatta St, Denver, and passengers are advised to arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled bus departure time. Greyhound offers bus services to various destinations across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, providing amenities such as free Wi-Fi and power outlets on board.
Greyhound has two bus stops in Denver, and you can find the closest one using the map on their website or Google Maps. The bus service provides convenient options for purchasing tickets, including online, at the bus station, or through other alternative methods. However, some users have expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the Greyhound bus station in Denver and the lack of clarity regarding schedules and destinations.
Denver International Airport is easily accessible from central Denver, and passengers travelling by bus can benefit from the connectivity provided by Greyhound services. The airport itself offers a range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, lounges, and art exhibitions. With its extensive land area, DEN is recognised as the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest in the world.
Greyhound Bus Lines, located at 1055 19th Street in Denver, provides connections to destinations such as Vail and Las Vegas. While some passengers have expressed mixed reviews regarding their experiences, Greyhound remains a viable option for travellers seeking convenient and well-connected ground transportation to and from Denver International Airport. The availability of free Wi-Fi and power outlets during the journey can also enhance the overall travel experience for passengers utilising Greyhound bus services.
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It is located on the western edge of the Great Plains
Denver International Airport (DEN) is located on the western edge of the Great Plains, within sight of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The airport is 23 miles (37 km) from downtown Denver, which is a major urban city full of culture, dining venues, and nightlife. The airport is well-connected to the city and is located along Pana Boulevard, near the I-70 interstate.
Being on the western edge of the Great Plains, DEN is closer to the City of Aurora than central Denver. As a result, many airport-related services, such as hotels, are located in Aurora. The land occupied by DEN is 52.4 square miles (136 km2; 33,500 acres), making it the largest commercial airport land area in North America. The transfer of this land from Adams County to Denver in 1989 increased the city's size by 50% and bifurcated the western portion of the neighbouring county.
The airport's location on the Great Plains provides a strategic advantage for airline operations. Denver has traditionally been home to one of the busier airports in the United States due to its ideal midcontinent location for an airline hub. The airport is the largest in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth. Additionally, Runway 16R/34L, with a length of 16,000 feet (3.03 miles or 4.88 km), is the longest public-use runway in North America and the seventh-longest globally.
The Great Plains location also offers a unique experience for passengers travelling through DEN. The airport is recognised for its extensive public art collection and Colorado-inspired rotating exhibitions. The surrounding Great Plains and the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains provide a visually appealing setting for the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
Denver International Airport (DEN) is located about 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, Colorado, along Pana Boulevard and near the I-70 interstate.
DEN offers a wide range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, and lounges. It is also known for its distinctive peaked roof that mimics the nearby Rocky Mountains and its extensive public art collection.
Covering 52.4 square miles (136 km2; 33,500 acres), DEN is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second largest on Earth. It operates with one main terminal, the Jeppesen Terminal, which is connected to three concourses (A, B, and C) through an underground automated train system.








































