Denver International Airport, or DEN, is one of the largest and busiest airports, not just in the U.S. but across the whole world. With an average of about 82.4 million passengers annually, Denver Airport experiences quite a bit of rush. It can be hard, especially for first-time travelers, to manage time efficiently. How early should you get to the Denver airport? You need to know this before you plan your next trip from Denver Airport!
How Early Should I Get to Denver Airport?
The Denver Airport’s official website recommends arriving two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours before for international flights. This way, you have enough time for security check-ins and baggage drop-offs.
How to Get to Denver Airport
There are many transportation options available to get to Denver International Airport (DEN). Your main option is to drive your vehicle to Denver Airport and then park either offsite or onsite. Other ways include rental cars, taxis, public buses or trains, and even luxury limousines.
Why Is It Crucial to Reach DEN Early?
There are several noteworthy reasons to arrive early at Denver Airport. Here are some of them:
Traffic Delays
Traffic in Denver is quite heavy even on normal days. Peak travel hours are 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Fridays, traffic is even worse, especially from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
During holidays or peak seasons, traffic increases significantly. This makes it difficult to reach the airport on time. It is always advisable to consider the rush and leave for the airport with enough time to account for delays.
Parking at Denver Airport
Parking can be quite difficult if you’re flying out of Denver. Finding a parking spot right before your flight can be troublesome, as the onsite parking lots are costly and tend to get filled quickly. You can instead pre-book offsite parking lots, which are safe and, at the same time, available at the cheapest rate.
Navigating Terminals
Denver Airport consists of a single terminal called Jeppesen Terminal, which consists of three different concourses (A, B, and C). As one of the world’s largest airports, DEN can be difficult to navigate. It might take a while to reach your gate, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the airport. So plan accordingly and leave a bit earlier in this case.
You may also like: Denver Airport Lounges
Security Check-ins at Denver Airport
TSA security times at Denver are the same for East and West checkpoints. The timings are from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. The working hours for TSA PreCheck are from 4 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
You can also opt for DEN Reserve, which gets you out of the long security lines. It is located at West Security 2 on Level 6. You can book an appointment from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, for flights between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
International Travel
If you’re traveling internationally, you must also be aware of customs and immigration checks. The security checks will take more time than domestic travel, and you need to reach the airport accordingly.
How Busy Is Denver Airport?
Denver Airport is thus generally very busy, and it’s recommended for you to arrive 2-3 hours earlier than your departure time to account for any delays. The report for the annual passenger traffic was 69.3 million in 2022, which significantly increased in the following years. In 2023, passenger traffic was reported to be 77.8 million. As of 2024, the daily average passenger volume is about 225,640.
How Early to Get to DEN Airport for Domestic Flights
For domestic travel, it’s always recommended to arrive at least 2 hours before departure. But, if you’re traveling during holiday seasons or peak hours, you must add an extra 30 minutes to prevent any further delays. You will thereby have enough time to pass through all the security checks and prevent a rush before boarding.
How Early to Get to DEN Airport for International Flights
When it comes to international flights, you need to arrive at least 3 hours before departure. International flights involve immigration and customs screening, which takes even more time. If you’re traveling during peak seasons or hours, it’s good to add 30 minutes to prevent any further delays.
TSA Security Check at DEN
TSA security checks at DEN usually take between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on your gate. During peak hours and holiday seasons, it could take longer for you to pass through TSA checks. There are options, like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, that allow you to reduce your waiting time for security.
The main TSA security checkpoints are located on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal, towards the north end. TSA PreCheck lines are available at both East and West security on Level 6, and CLEAR lanes are located at the West security point.
Manage Unexpected Delays
Flight Delays: After booking your flight, always be updated on the flight timings. There could be sudden changes due to any unforeseen circumstances.
Traffic: Even on normal days, traffic in Denver is quite high. During peak hours, traffic can be so significantly high that it may cause you to miss your flight. Always be mindful of the rush and leave a bit earlier during peak hours.
Missed Connection Flights: If you have a connecting flight from Denver, always be aware of any changes in the schedule.
Our Tips for a Smooth Flight
Check the flight status: Always be aware of the flight schedule and timings. You can find them on the respective airline’s website.
Reserve parking in advance: Parking before your flight can be a hassle, but don’t let it ruin your flight. So, you can pre-book parking spots via Global Airport Parking, which are available at the lowest rates.
Be ready for the security check: Review the airline’s regulations to ensure that you pack your luggage properly. It shouldn’t include any non-permissible items.
Check the wait times: You can determine the wait times for your respective gates through the MyTSA app.
Sources:
Denver International Airport. (n.d.). Security, Denver International Airport. https://www.flydenver.com/security/
Denver International Airport. (n.d.). Denver International Airport, Flydenver. https://www.flydenver.com
Denver International Airport, parking and transportation. (n.d.). Denver International Airport, Flydenver. https://www.flydenver.com/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/
