Denver International Airport
The Denver International Airport has flights to over 130 destinations around the world. This airport also has excellent facilities to help visitors and passengers feel comfortable when they travel.
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Getting to the Denver International Airport
The Denver International Airport is just 35 minutes from downtown Denver. Most passengers head to the airport via Peña Boulevard. To reach the Boulevard from Denver, take I-70 to Exit 284 eastbound, or Exit 285 westbound. You can also reach the airport from Airport Boulevard, E-470, or Tower Road.
You can drive your own vehicle to the Denver International Airport, but if you are a departing passenger, you will have to find a place to park and pay for parking. It is often more convenient to take local transportation, such as a shuttle, public transportation, or a taxi. RTD SkyRide offers public bus service from downtown Denver to the airport. There are also several shuttle buses and vans that travel to the airport from some of the major ski resorts around Denver. In Denver, you can find over 30 shuttles that run from popular destinations around town to the airport. You can hire a taxi or private car service to drive you to the airport as well.
If you are dropping off passengers at the airport, you can pick them up curbside at Terminal Level 6. If you are driving to the airport to pick up arriving passengers, you will want to pick them up at Arrivals, Level 4. You will follow the overhead signs to the correct place for the airline your friends or family members were flying.
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Parking at the Airport
If you do drive your own vehicle to the Denver International Airport, whether to pick someone up, drop someone off, or catch your own flight, you will need to find a place to park. There are nine parking areas at the Denver International Airport, as well as two valet services. The airport is divided into two sides, the east and the west side. Both the east and the west sides have an economy parking lot, which charges $9.00 per day, or $1.00 per hour. These are located just outside of the terminal garages and offer a free shuttle service to the departures area. The shuttles run every 15 minutes.
Those who wish to park closer to the airport in a covered garage will choose one of the two garage parking areas. These cost $18.00 or $2.00 per hour. The garages do fill up quickly, though, so if you intend to park in the garage, allow plenty of time to search for a spot.
Those wishing to save money on their parking can park in one of the shuttle parking lot. The Pikes Peak Shuttle Parking Lot costs $5 a day and is located 3 miles from the terminal building. The lot has free shuttles that run to and from the airport. The Mount Elbert Shuttle Parking Lot is the second option, but it is only open when the Pikes Peak lot is full. It is also $5 per day, with free shuttles running every 15 minutes to and from the airport.
If you are stopping at the airport to pick someone up or see someone off, you can park in the short term parking facility. This costs $3 per hour, with no maximum for the day. There are two of these facilities, one on each side of the terminal building.
Finally, if you know that you will not be at the airport long, you can park in the 45-Minute Waiting Area. This lot, often known as the cell-phone lot, is available for those waiting for arriving passengers. You cannot leave your car unattended, but you can wait in this lot for up to 45 minutes for your arriving passengers. When they call to tell you they have arrived, you can simply leave and drive to the curb to pick them up, without paying for parking.
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The Elrey B. Jeppesen Terminal
The terminal building at the Denver International Airport is called the Elrey B. Jeppesen Terminal. It is named after the man who invented the Jepp navigational maps that are used by pilots around the world. The terminal has about 1.5 million square feet of space that the public can use, complete with a beautiful glass atrium in the center of the building.
There are several levels in the terminal building, but only three of which are used by the general public. Those flying from the Denver International Airport will use the services at level 6, the Departure Level. This is where passengers can be dropped off to check in for their flights. However, commercial drivers, such as buses and taxis, will drop their passengers at the Commercial Level, level 5. This is also where the car rental vans are located for those passengers who wish to rent a vehicle. The Arrivals Level is level 4.
The terminal building has a very distinctive roof. The roof is made out of two layers of a translucent Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric suspended by tense cables to create the appearance of white peaks. The highest peak on the roof rises 126 feet above the floor of the building. This type of roof is supposed to have a long life and requires little maintenance.
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Checking In
Once you arrive at the Denver International Airport for a departing flight, you will need to check in. The check in counters are located inside the terminal building, and many airlines have self-service kiosks you can use to check in for your flight. You will need some form of government-issued photo ID to show to the ticket counter agent. If you are traveling with a minor, you will need to check with your airline to see what type of ID is required for the child. Luggage must stay with you at all times when you are checking in.
At the check in counter you will check whatever luggage you are not carrying with you on the plane. You can usually check two bags that weight 50 pounds or less per person. Keep in mind that checked bags are still checked by security personnel.
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The Train at the Airport
The Denver International Airport's terminal building is quite far from the actual airside gate buildings. This requires a train system to move passengers between the two buildings. Departing passengers will pass through security in the terminal building, and then proceed to the train, which is called the Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS). The AGTS transports the passengers to their gates through two tunnels below the airport. The cars are automatically controlled and carry around 8,300 passengers back and forth between the two buildings every hour. The round trip takes only 11 minutes, and there are 7 stations along the way where passengers can get off of the train to enter their gates.
While passengers are traveling between the two buildings, large windows in each car of the AGTS allow them to see the artwork that decorates the tunnels. The trains are handicapped accessible and have doors that open and close automatically. Several safety features have been built into the system to provide passengers with security while they travel between the buildings.
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The Airport's Bridge
The train system is used for domestic passengers, but international passengers at the Denver International Airport have to be kept separate from domestic passengers while traveling between the buildings, and they have a special bridge that connects them to the airside buildings from the terminal. This bridge features state of the art architecture and beautiful glass panels that allow passengers to see the airstrip outside. It also serves as a place where international security screenings, customs, and flight connections can be made without conflicting with the domestic flights.
While the bridge is quite beautiful, the walk between the two buildings is still quite long, because the bridge spans 365 feet. For this reason, the bridge has moving walkways for passengers to use. Also, electric are available for elderly or disabled passengers to use.
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Shopping at the Airport
The Denver International Airport has many places where you can shop for a variety of items. Some of these shops have excellent souvenirs or gifts that you can purchase if you have been vacationing in Denver. Others have personal care items and clothing for you to enjoy.
If you are traveling from Concourse B, you can shop for gifts at the ACI Gift Shop, Colorado Collection, Denver Pizzazz, Harley Davidson, or Spirit of the Red Horse. If you need something to make your trip more comfortable, you can likely pick it up at First Class Baggage or Colorado Creative Media.
Concourse A also has several shops, including Colorado Crossroads, Greetings from Colorado, Peak Concepts Gifts, Radio Road, Shorts Terminal.com, and Toy Chest. Concourse C has Way out West, ACI Gift Shop, and Body Shop. Also, the terminal building has a couple of shops you can enjoy, including Denver Body and Spirit, the Airport Baggage Center, Images of Nature, and the Sunglass Hut. If you are traveling internationally, be sure to check out the Tax and Duty Free Shop in both Concourse A and Concourse B. Here you can purchase gifts and other items that you will not have to pay taxes or duties for when you arrive at your international destination.
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Dining at the Airport
Of course, during your time at the Denver International Airport you will likely find that you need something to eat. There are snack shops and restaurants for everybody in this airport. Auntie Anne's Pretzels is a great place to get a quick snack on the go. If you are in a hurry but need a real meal, consider Burger King, KFC, or McDonald's. The Candy Shoppe is a great place to get some snacks to take with you on the plane. If you are looking for a little more fancy of a meal, consider the Cantina Grill Express or Lefty's Colorado Trails Bar and Grille. Hope's Country Fresh Cookies, Hixon's Popcorn, Einstein Brothers Bagels, and Cinnabites are all great places for something quick and small to tide you over before your flight. If you need some coffee, head to the Coffee Beanery, Starbuck's Coffee, or Seattle's Best Coffee. You can also grab a sandwich on the go at Quizno's, Paradise Bakery and Café, or Heidi's Brooklyn Deli.
If you are hungry for something a little more international, you can get some great ethnic food at the Denver International Airport. Those in the mood for Italian food can visit Villa Pizza Italian Specialties. Oriental food is available at Panda Express. You can even find French cuisine at the Pour la France Café and Bar! Finally, Mexican food can be found at Que Bueno Mexican Grille.
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Services at the Airport
The Denver International Airport has several services designed to make each passenger's stay more comfortable. Those traveling with children will enjoy the fact that Concourse B has a children's play area. Some passengers may want to take a moment to spend in reflection or quiet prayer. Terminal Level 6 is equipped with an Interfaith Chapel where you can enjoy a quiet moment to yourself. International Passengers can exchange their money at the World Wide Money Exchange, which is located on Terminal Level 5 and in Concourses A and B.
Sometimes business travelers will need to check for a last minute email or other electronic communication. All three concourses have Internet kiosks for this purpose. Those needing any extra help while they travel can visit the Traveler's Assistance booth in concourse B or Terminal Level 5. All three concourses and the terminal building have an information booth for those passengers with a question about the airport, Denver, or the surrounding areas. Also, guests can visit the courtesy telephones throughout the airport and dial 2000 to link directly to the Guest Services department to get help with their needs.
Ambassadors, which are airport staff members and volunteers who are specially trained to provide assistance and information to guests, can be found throughout the airport. They will be wearing white cowboy hats to help you identify them. If you are in need of help navigating the airport, locating your gate, or finding services that you need, these ambassadors are the staff members you want to seek.
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