Denver, CO
Denver travel guide
Mile-high base camp for the Rockies
- Airports
- DEN Denver International Airport
- Region
- US Southwest
- Best time to visit
- June–September for hiking and Red Rocks concerts; December–March for skiing.
- Shortest flight
- 2h 10m from Dallas
- Round trips from
- $63 (live)
- Time zone
- America/Denver
About Denver
Denver sits where the plains meet the Front Range. Downtown's LoDo and Union Station are walkable; RiNo has breweries and murals; the parks and trails start at the city's edge. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Boulder and Rocky Mountain National Park are day trips, and ski towns like Breckenridge, Keystone and Winter Park are 1.5–2 hours west on I-70.
Getting in: the A Line commuter train runs from the terminal to Union Station in 37 minutes ($10). Rideshares to downtown cost $40–$60 for the 25-mile trip. Rental cars are the practical choice for mountain trips; in winter, Colorado's traction law requires appropriate tires on I-70 during storms.
Stay in LoDo or Union Station for a car-free city trip, or RiNo and Capitol Hill for neighborhood character. Green chile, breakfast burritos and craft beer are the local staples ($12–$18 lunches); altitude affects visitors, so drink extra water and go easy on the first evening. Tip 18–20%.
Best time to visit
June–September for hiking and Red Rocks concerts; December–March for skiing. Spring can swing from snow to 70°F in a week; September is dependably dry and golden.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: LoDo / Union Station, RiNo, Capitol Hill, Highlands, Cherry Creek.
Flights to Denver: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to DEN usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 2h 30m | $98 | $89 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| New York (JFK) | 4h 25m | $178 | $133 · Tue, Nov 17 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 2h 45m | $108 | $100 · Tue, Nov 3 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 2h 10m | $108 | $63 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 3h 15m | $138 | $98 · Wed, Nov 11 | Search dates → |
| Seattle (SEA) | 2h 50m | $118 | $93 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Denver
What to do in Denver
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
A natural sandstone amphitheater 15 miles west; free to hike by day, unforgettable for a concert at night.
- 2
Rocky Mountain National Park
90 minutes northwest via Estes Park; Trail Ridge Road tops 12,000 feet (timed-entry permits in summer).
- 3
Union Station and LoDo
The restored 1914 station with restaurants and bars, surrounded by lower downtown's brick warehouses.
- 4
RiNo Art District
Block after block of murals, breweries and food halls like Denver Central Market.
- 5
Ski country
Winter Park, Loveland and Arapahoe Basin within 90 minutes; Breckenridge and Vail a bit farther on I-70.
Denver weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
45° / 19°
Sunny and cold; snow that melts quickly.
Spring
62° / 35°
Wet snow in March, green by May.
Summer
88° / 58°
Hot days, cool nights, afternoon storms.
Fall
66° / 40°
Golden aspens in late September.
Travel tips for Denver
- Take the A Line train downtown — it's faster than a rideshare in traffic and a fraction of the price.
- Denver is at 5,280 feet: hydrate, limit alcohol the first night and allow a day before hard hikes.
- Ski trips: leave for I-70 before 7am or after 10am on weekends to avoid the worst of the traffic.
- Timed-entry permits are required for Rocky Mountain National Park in summer — reserve on recreation.gov.
- Weather changes fast; carry a rain shell and sunscreen even for a short hike.
Denver flights: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Denver airport to downtown?
The RTD A Line train runs every 15 minutes from the terminal to Union Station in 37 minutes for $10. Rideshares cost $40–$60 and take 30–45 minutes.
Which ski resorts are closest to Denver airport?
Loveland and Winter Park are about 90 minutes away; Keystone, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain around two hours; Vail and Beaver Creek 2.5 hours. Shuttle services run from the airport to all of them.
Do I need a car in Denver?
Not for the city — the A Line, light rail and rideshares cover downtown. For the mountains, rent a car or book a shuttle; in winter make sure the car meets Colorado's traction law.
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