A long Denver layover may give you time to explore Union Station, see RiNo's murals, visit a museum, or grab a local meal before your next flight from Denver International Airport (DEN). The key is choosing one area and leaving enough time for transportation back to the airport and getting to your gate. Use this guide to decide whether to leave DEN, where to go, and when to return.
Before leaving the airport, confirm whether your checked bags will transfer to your next flight or whether you need to collect and recheck them.
Traveling with several heavy bags can make a short outing less practical. DEN does not list public luggage storage or lockers among its current passenger services, so you may need to keep your bags with you or arrange off-airport storage. If you use an off-airport service, include drop-off and pickup time in your plan.
Next, work backward from your boarding time. Subtract the time you'll need to leave the terminal, travel in both directions, go through airport security again, and walk to your gate. Add a buffer for traffic, transit delays, weather, and time spent waiting for your ride or train.
The RTD A Line is usually the most predictable way to reach downtown during a layover. A taxi or rideshare can also work, depending on current traffic, your destination, and how many people are traveling with you.
Compare the full round trip before leaving DEN. Include the wait for transportation, any connections, and the time you need to return through airport security.
The A Line connects Denver Airport Station with Union Station in about 37 minutes. From Jeppesen Terminal, follow signs to the Transit Center on Level 1 beneath the Westin Denver International Airport.
The Airport Day Pass is $10 and includes travel across the RTD system for the service day. The A Line also stops at 38th & Blake, which may be useful if RiNo is your destination.
Check the A Line schedule before leaving DEN and again before returning.
A taxi or rideshare may be more practical if you're traveling with a group, carrying bags, or heading somewhere that requires another transit connection. DEN estimates a drive to downtown at about 25 to 35 minutes, but traffic and pickup time can change the total trip.
Choose one part of Denver instead of trying to cross the city several times. The time ranges below are planning guides, not guarantees. Your available time will depend on your bags, arrival procedures, current travel conditions, and how early you need to return.
With less than six hours, staying at DEN is usually the more practical choice. A round trip to downtown can take a large share of your layover before accounting for the return trip and getting through the airport.
DEN is known for its public art and decades of conspiracy-theory lore about secret tunnels, unusual artwork, and mysterious symbols. The airport has joined the fun with playful references of its own. Spend your time exploring the airport's art, shops, and restaurants instead of rushing to get back from a trip downtown.
Did You Know? One of DEN's most recognizable landmarks is Mustang by Luis Jiménez, better known as Blucifer. The towering blue horse stands along Peña Boulevard, so look for it while traveling to or from the airport.
For more ideas on where to eat, shop, and spend your time, see our Denver International Airport Guide.
With six to eight hours, take the A Line to Union Station and keep your plans nearby.
Start at Denver Union Station, where the A Line brings you directly downtown. Explore the historic station, then walk through Lower Downtown, or LoDo, for restaurants, shops, and historic buildings.
From Union Station, you can walk along 16th Street or take the free 16th Street FreeRide toward Civic Center Station. Service can change, so check current RTD information before relying on it for your return.
Continue to Larimer Square, a compact downtown block with historic buildings, restaurants, and shops. Keeping your plans downtown makes it easier to return to Union Station when it's time to catch the A Line back to DEN.
Baseball fans can walk from Union Station or LoDo to Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. You don't need to attend a game to see the ballpark and explore the surrounding area.
If you want to go inside, check whether a Coors Field tour fits your schedule. Public tours typically last 70 to 80 minutes, and routes and availability can change based on weather, events, and the team schedule. Review the ballpark's bag policy before booking.
With eight hours or more, more of Denver may be within reach. Choose the experience that’s most intriguing to you and keep your plans centered in one part of the city.
Head to the River North Art District, or RiNo, for murals, galleries, restaurants, breweries, and creative spaces. Because the A Line stops at 38th & Blake, you may be able to travel between DEN and RiNo without first going to Union Station.
For art and culture, head to the Golden Triangle Creative District. The neighborhood includes the Denver Art Museum and sits near Civic Center Park and the Colorado State Capitol.
Keep your itinerary focused in this area rather than adding another neighborhood. If a museum is your priority, check its current hours and ticket availability before leaving DEN.
Head to the Colorado Convention Center to see I See What You Mean, better known as the Big Blue Bear. The 40-foot blue sculpture peers through the convention center windows and is easy to pair with a walk along 16th Street or other nearby downtown sights.
Denver has three major sports venues near downtown. Coors Field is the easiest to combine with Union Station and LoDo. You can also head toward Ball Arena, home of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche, or Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos.
Empower Field tours typically last 75 to 90 minutes. Tour availability can change around games and other events, so check the schedule and bag policy before your trip. Simply seeing a venue from outside may give you more flexibility and more time to return to DEN.
A common starting point is to return to the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. These are general guidelines, so follow your airline's recommendation and allow more time during busy travel periods, when checking bags, or when weather or transportation could affect your return.
Work backward from your boarding time, not only your scheduled departure time. Remember that leaving the airport means you'll need to go through airport security again.
Before heading back, download the free CLEAR App to know exactly when to leave based on current traffic, real-time updates on airport conditions, security wait times, your flight details, and the walk to your gate.
CLEAR+ Members unlock access to dedicated CLEAR+ Lanes at DEN where they can speed through airport security in seconds. Review the current Denver Airport locations and hours before your trip. If you find yourself in a rush on the way back to the airport, you can book CLEAR Concierge for the fastest way through the airport. Your personal concierge will meet you at the curb when you arrive, help with bags, and bring you straight through security and to your gate or lounge.
For more guidance, read How Early Should I Get to the Airport?.
The best Denver layover plan is one realistic stop with a generous return buffer. Choose what matters most, check current conditions, and leave enough time for a return trip and getting through the airport.
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