Private Car vs Rideshare vs Shuttle: Getting From DIA
Quick answer
The A Line train offers the cheapest route from DIA to downtown Denver and takes about 37 minutes. Rideshare moves fastest door to door, although surge pricing can change that quickly. A private car costs more, but you lock in the price before you fly, someone handles your luggage, and a late flight does not change anything. For groups of four or more, or for anyone heading to the mountains, a private transfer usually wins on both cost and hassle.
Denver International Airport sits about 25 miles northeast of downtown, which puts it further out than most US airports. Because of that distance, your choice of transport matters more here than it does in other cities.
Five options make practical sense. Below, we compare what each one costs, how long it takes, and exactly when it becomes the right call.
The five options compared
| Option | Time to downtown | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| A Line train | ~37 minutes to Union Station | Solo travellers, light luggage, tight budget |
| Rideshare | 35 to 50 minutes door to door | One or two people, flexible timing |
| Shared shuttle | 60 to 90 minutes with stops | Solo travellers heading to the mountains |
| Rental car | Add 30 to 45 minutes for the counter | Multi-day trips with lots of driving |
| Private car service | 35 to 45 minutes door to door | Groups, luggage, early flights, mountains |
The A Line train
RTD runs the A Line from the airport station straight to Union Station in about 37 minutes, with departures roughly every 15 minutes through the day. Cheap, reliable and genuinely pleasant, it deserves its reputation.
The catch: it stops at Union Station and nowhere else. So if you are staying in Cherry Creek, the Tech Center, Boulder or anywhere in the suburbs, you still need a second leg. Add two suitcases and a ski bag, and that second leg is usually where the plan falls apart.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft both serve DIA from a designated pickup area on Level 5. On a quiet weekday, honestly, nothing beats it on price for a door to door trip.
The catch: you only see the price after you land, never before. Meanwhile, when several flights arrive together, or when it snows, or on a Friday evening, surge pricing can double what you pay. You also cannot lock anything in ahead of time, and whatever vehicle turns up is the vehicle you get.
Shared shuttle
Shared shuttles run scheduled departures to the mountain resorts and to some Denver hotels. Since the per seat price stays low, they remain popular for solo ski trips.
The catch: you travel on their schedule, not yours. In addition, the route includes stops at other resorts and hotels along the way, so a two hour drive to Vail regularly stretches to three. For a family of four, meanwhile, the combined seat cost usually overtakes a private vehicle anyway.
Your driver is waiting when you land
Flight tracked. Flat rate. No surge pricing, ever.
Rental car
Renting makes sense if you plan to drive a lot during your stay. Otherwise, for a city visit or a resort trip, it rarely earns its cost.
The catch: the rental counters at DIA involve a shuttle ride and a queue, which adds 30 to 45 minutes when you arrive and again when you leave. On top of that, downtown Denver parking costs a fortune. Mountain towns such as Breckenridge and Beaver Creek stay walkable and run free local shuttles, so the car simply sits parked most of the week. Finally, I-70 in a snowstorm rarely makes a good place to learn Colorado driving.
Private car service
Per trip, this costs the most. In return, you get the most predictable version of the journey. Your driver watches the flight, meets you at arrivals, carries the luggage and drives you to the door.
Where it earns its cost:
- Groups of four or more. One vehicle at one flat rate beats four rideshare fares or four shuttle seats.
- Mountain destinations. Because ski resort transfers run two to four hours each way, going direct beats sharing every single time.
- Early morning departures. A confirmed 4am pickup simply beats a hopeful rideshare request.
- Winter arrivals. When weather turns, surge pricing climbs and availability drops at exactly the wrong moment.
- Business travel. A fixed price and a proper receipt beat a variable fare on an expense report.
So which one should you pick?
Travelling alone with a carry-on to a downtown hotel? Take the A Line. Cheap, quick, and it drops you right in the middle of the city.
Two of you with normal luggage on a weekday afternoon? Rideshare handles that perfectly well.
However, if you are travelling as a family or a group, heading to the mountains, catching an early flight, or watching snow in the forecast, book a private airport transfer instead. You agree the price in advance, you choose the right size vehicle, and someone waits for you no matter when the plane actually lands.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the A Line take from DIA?
Roughly 37 minutes to Union Station, with trains about every 15 minutes through the day. Note that it serves that one downtown stop only.
Where is rideshare pickup at Denver airport?
Level 5 of the terminal, on both the east and west sides. Simply follow the signs for app-based rides once you collect your luggage.
Can I book a private car in advance for a late flight?
Yes, and this is exactly where it earns its cost. We track your flight and shift the pickup automatically. Therefore you never pay extra because an airline ran behind.
Do I need a car in Denver?
Rarely, for a city visit. Downtown stays walkable and transit covers it well. Similarly, a resort trip works fine without one, since Breckenridge and Beaver Creek both run free local shuttles and parking stays limited.
Need a ride from DIA? Call (720) 277-1843 or book online. Flat rate, flight tracked, driver waiting. All Ride Limousine has served Colorado since 2007.