Recognizable by its iconic white tent-like roof, DEN is the largest airport in the US by land area and a major hub for United and Southwest. The airport features the famous 'Blue Mustang' sculpture and extensive public art.
Planning to fly from DEN?
Check Current BusynessDEN crowd patterns — by the numbers
From our modelWe modeled a full typical week at DEN — every hour, every day, every aircraft size — to surface patterns that show up week-over-week. Here's what Denver International actually looks like.
When is DEN actually busy?
Crowd score by local hour, averaged across the typical week. Hover any bar for the exact value.
Best times to fly out of DEN
- 10 PM
Off-peak hours
low - 6 PM
Off-peak hours
low - 3 PM
Brief afternoon dip before evening rush
low
Worst times to fly out of DEN
- 1 PM
Sustained peak window
medium - 2 PM
Sustained peak window
medium - 10 AM
Late-morning leisure departures stack on top of business connections
medium
Day of the week: when is DEN most painful?
Avg crowd score across daytime hours (6 AM – 10 PM local).
Aircraft mix at peak hour
Wide-body and regional jets disproportionately affect crowd levels — they unload at very different rates.
How DEN compares to other major hubs
Avg crowd score across daytime hours. Lower = easier travel day.
- DENDenver5.8
- ATLAtlanta5.7
- ORDChicago5.7
- DFWDallas5.6
- JFKNew York5.4
- LAXLos Angeles5.1
Terminals & Airlines
Jeppesen Terminal
All check-in and securityMain terminal - security here then train to concourses.
Concourse A
Frontier, Southwest, othersClosest to main terminal via train.
Concourse B
United, Delta, American, JetBlueMix of major carriers - largest concourse.
Concourse C
UnitedUnited hub - very long walks to end gates.
Security & TSA Tips
- •TSA PreCheck available at both North and South checkpoints
- •CLEAR available at main security
- •South security typically less crowded than North
- •Bridge security (between terminals) is for same-day ticket holders only
- •Allow 15-20 min to reach distant Concourse C gates via train
Average Security Wait Times
Low
10-15 min
Medium
20-30 min
High
35-50 min
Extreme
55+ min
Parking & Transportation
Parking Options
💡 Airport is 25 miles from downtown. Consider A Line train ($10.50) to avoid long drive and parking fees.
Public Transportation
- •RTD A Line: Train to/from Union Station downtown (37 min, $10.50)
- •SkyRide Bus: Express buses to Boulder and other cities
- •Automated train: Free connection between concourses (airside)
- •Hotel shuttles: Many hotels offer free airport shuttles
Dining & Food
Root Down DIA
Concourse C • American
Popular Denver restaurant outpost
Elway's
Concourse B • Steakhouse
John Elway's upscale steakhouse
New Belgium Hub
Concourse B • Bar/American
Colorado craft beer
Que Bueno! Mexican Grille
Concourse A • Mexican
Quick Mexican food
Amenities
Nearby Hotels
Ready to check how busy DEN will be?
Check Airport Busyness