How to use the Denver Airport Train: From airport to downtown in 37 minutes for just $10.50
At many major airports, getting to and from the city center can be a bit of a soul-sucking slog that can take more time and money than you wish.
Long waits or walks for cabs or ride shares and expensive drives to/from the city center can quickly take the wind out of your sails when all you want to do is start (or end) your vacation.
However, after my first time on the Denver Airport Train, I'm a touch obsessed with how easy and affordable it was to travel the 23 miles from the Denver International Airport (DEN) to downtown Denver. In fact, it was so easy it pushes Denver (and the mountain-bound Ski Train from Denver, more on that shortly) even higher on my visit-again-soon list.
In case you've never ridden the Denver Airport Train and are curious how it might make your next trip to the area easier, here's how it works.
Related: TPG's guide to Denver International Airport
How to find the Denver Airport Train
To take the train from the airport in Denver, all you really have to do is follow the signs.
The signs will read "Trains to City" or "Transit Center," so just follow those as you head to the main part of the airport that's home to the baggage carousels and ground transportation, and then head toward the Westin airport hotel area.
Once you're there, instead of going into the Westin, you'll head down the escalator to the Transit Center.
At the ground level, you'll see a ticket machine and the train platform — those are good signs that you're in the right place.
While there are some discounts available to seniors, children, military and similar, full-fare tickets are $10.50 and available for sale either at the machine or even in an app if that's your preference.
Related: Best credit cards for trains
Related: Denver airport conspiracy theories
How long does the Denver Airport Train take
Normally, the train runs every 15 minutes from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. and every 30 minutes outside those hours (other than a few hours in the very middle of the night when it stops running). During my October ride, it was running every 30 minutes all day long due to some ongoing repairs, but that's not the normal situation.
Once the ride began, the speed reached 79 miles per hour, so it only took 37 minutes with the six included stops before we arrived at Denver's Union Station, which was the seventh and final stop on the A Line.
Related: Where to eat and drink at the Denver airport
What it was like on the train
During my 5:30 p.m. ride, the train was clean. There were a number of riders on board, but it certainly wasn't crowded. In other words, we didn't have to share the two-by-two seats with anyone if we didn't want to.
The seats were padded and there were luggage racks both over the seats and near the train exit doors.
What to do once you get to Union Station
From Denver's Union Station, you'll have a lot of transportation options that vary from walking to your nearby hotel or attractions like Coors Field, using the free 16th Street MallRide hybrid shuttle buses, getting a cab or using a ride-hailing service, connecting to Light Rail, taking Amtrak's California Zephyr or even heading to Winter Park on the Ski Train.
It can be tricky, cumbersome and slow to drive yourself to the mountains from Denver, depending on the day and the weather — not to mention the reality that rental cars can be quite expensive.
With that in mind, one of the reasons I was so excited at the simplicity of the Denver Airport Train was that it made the prospect of riding the Ski Train that departs from Union Station seasonally on weekends that much more appealing.
We could fly into Denver on a Friday, take the train to Union Station that night, stay downtown nearby at a hotel like The Crawford in Union Station or the nearby Rally Hotel overlooking Coors Field, and then take the Ski Train from Union Station on Saturday morning right to Winter Park without ever needing to rent a car.
Related: Guide to Denver airport lounges
After skiing Saturday and Sunday, you could hop the Ski Train back to Union Station in the afternoon, get the Airport Rail back to the airport and fly home all without dealing with traffic, driving or car rentals.
Or, do what TPG's Benji Stawski did last year and take the ski train to Winter Park just for the day and simply keep your hotel in Denver.
Also, if you find yourself with a little time to kill inside Denver's Union Station, that's not the worst outcome, either. It's a pretty lovely space with some places to eat and drink while you wait.
Bottom line
I travel a lot and find the process of getting to and from the city to the airport to be a real chore in some areas. I'm thrilled when I come across a city that has it figured out, and Denver absolutely falls into that category.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.