Denver Airport Shuttle Options Compared
Quick answer
From Denver International Airport you have five realistic options: a private shuttle, a shared shuttle, rideshare, a rental car, or the A Line train to downtown. A private shuttle is best for groups and anyone who wants a confirmed, direct ride. The A Line is cheapest to downtown. Rideshare is quick but surges at peak times. Rental makes sense only if you need a car all trip.
DIA sits well outside the city, so the ride from the airport is a real decision rather than an afterthought. Here are the five ways to make it.
The five options at a glance
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Private shuttle | Groups, direct rides, early flights | Book ahead |
| Shared shuttle | Solo travellers on a budget | Multiple stops, fixed times |
| Rideshare | Quick solo trips off-peak | Surge pricing, wait times |
| Rental car | Needing a car all trip | Counter queues, parking fees |
| A Line train | Cheapest to downtown | Downtown only, then transfer |
Which is best for a group?
A private shuttle. One vehicle carries the whole group with the luggage, for one flat rate, direct to your door. Nothing else handles a group cleanly.
Rideshare means splitting across cars. Shared shuttles mean seats and stops. The train means hauling bags through a transfer. For four or more people, private is the obvious pick.
Private shuttle from DIA, your group only
Flight tracked, flat rate, direct to your door. No shared stops, no surge pricing.
Is the A Line train worth it?
For a solo traveller headed to downtown with light luggage, yes. The A Line runs from the airport to Union Station cheaply and reliably in about 40 minutes.
Beyond downtown it stops working. Anywhere else means a transfer, and with a group or heavy bags the saving disappears into the hassle.
What about the mountains?
For a ski resort, skip the city options entirely. A private transfer goes straight from DIA to the mountain, while rideshare and the train do not serve the resorts at all.
See our ski resort transfers for the mountain run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way from DIA to downtown?
The A Line train, for a solo traveller with light luggage. For a group, a private shuttle is often competitive once split across passengers.
Where do I meet a private shuttle at DIA?
With meet and greet, your driver waits inside near baggage claim. Kerbside pickup is available if you prefer.
Do shuttles run 24 hours?
Our private shuttles do, every day. Shared shuttles and the train run to fixed schedules, so check the times for late or early flights.
Landing at DIA? Call (720) 277-1843 or book online. See our Denver airport transfers.