Rail Travel in and Out of Denver International Airport

2016 brought the much-awaited arrival of a rail line from Denver International Airport to Downtown Denver. Riders depart from DEN and travel to Union Station or reverse the trip to suit their needs. The fare is $9, with each trip completing its one-way run in 37 minutes. During peak hours, Airport Rail trains leave every 15 minutes.

Regional Transportation District (RTD)

The RTD system is made up of both rail and bus routes within Metropolitan Denver. To understand RTD, just remember that the city is divided up into four separate zones. These are labeled A, B, C, and Airport. Your fare is determined by how many zones you travel through during each one-way trip.

RTD Tips:

. Trains stop at every station, so there’s no need to alert the driver.
. Doors automatically open after the train has come to a complete stop.
. If the doors do not open at your stop, simply press the illuminated green button.
. Denver RTD courtesy has passengers fully depart the train before new passengers come aboard.

Finding your nearest RTD station is easy, due to their highly visible red and white signage. If you’re driving to a light rail RTD station, many of these feature free parking lots. Purchase your ticket from one of the station vending machines, as commuters are required to have a valid ticket prior to boarding.

Ticket Tips:

. Your RTD ticket is automatically stamped with the time and day of purchase.
. Train routes & titles are displayed above the front windshield.
. Many RTD stations also have buses for boarding.
. Riders may board trains with a bus transfer, pass or upgraded ticket.
. Fare Inspectors check tickets onboard after the train has departed.

RTD Buses

Bus routes and schedules are available on the RTD website and on their Customer Assistance telephone lines. RTD bus stops also sports red and white signage, including the bus route number. Like trains, buses electronically flash their numbers directly above the windshield.

Bus tips:

. Buses accept dollars, coins, and passes. Drivers never provide change or carry money.
. Your bus driver can give you a transfer for another bus or light rail.
. Stops are announced, just pull the cord to alert the driver of your stop.
. Save money with RTD pass programs and ticket books.

Driving around Denver

Driving around is easy with North, South, East and West directions. Remember that the Rocky Mountains are West, but can be seen from every angle. City roads are on North-South and East-West grids. Streets in the downtown area are slightly angled so that roads all get at least 3 hours of sunlight to help melt winter snows.

Did we miss a form of transportation in Denver, Colorado? Or perhaps you know of an easier way for newcomers to navigate the Mile High City. Please let us know, so when in Denver we can travel like the breeze ourselves.