Book Flights to Denver, Colorado
Denver — the Mile High City at 1,609 metres elevation — is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains: world-class skiing at Breckenridge, Vail, and Keystone (90–120 min west), Rocky Mountain National Park (110 km north), Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the highest craft brewery density of any US city. Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the world's largest and most-served airports.
DEN is served by United (hub), Southwest (hub), Frontier (HQ), American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, and more. FareOptic compares all carriers for the lowest Denver airfare — fierce competition makes DEN one of the best-value airports in the US.
Cheap Flight Deals to Denver
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Why Visit Denver, Colorado?
From Rocky Mountain National Park and Red Rocks Amphitheatre to the Denver Art Museum's Libeskind building and RiNo's craft brewery trail, Denver is one of the most energetic and naturally spectacular cities in the US.
Rocky Mountain National Park
One of America's Greatest National Parks — 110 km from DenverRocky Mountain National Park — 110 km northwest of Denver — encompasses 415 square miles of the Rocky Mountain Front Range including 77 peaks over 12,000 feet (3,660 m), the 59-km Trail Ridge Road (highest continuous paved highway in the US), 350+ km of hiking trails, and extraordinary alpine wildlife (elk, bighorn sheep, moose, black bears, pikas).
Trail Ridge Road
Trail Ridge Road across Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park to Grand Lake, 59 km) is the highest continuous paved highway in the US — reaching 3,713 m at its summit. The road is open typically Memorial Day through mid-October. The Alpine Visitor Center at Forest Canyon Overlook (3,595 m) has the finest views of the park's glacially carved valleys and tundra. Arrive early to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
Denver Art Museum
The Finest Art Museum Between Chicago and Los AngelesThe Denver Art Museum — with its extraordinary titanium-clad Frederic C. Hamilton Building (Daniel Libeskind, 2006) and the recently expanded North Building — holds one of the finest art collections in the American West: 70,000+ objects including the largest pre-Columbian art collection west of the Mississippi, extraordinary Native American art, and Asian art.
Native American Collection
The Denver Art Museum's Native American art collection — the largest in any art museum west of the Mississippi — spans 3,000+ objects from 100+ tribal nations. The collection's Northwest Coast totem poles (displayed vertically through the atrium), Plains beadwork, and Pueblo pottery are extraordinary. The new Ponti-designed North Building (2021) houses these collections in dramatically lit contemporary galleries.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
America's Greatest Outdoor Concert VenueRed Rocks Amphitheatre — 26 km southwest of Denver — is a natural 9,525-seat concert venue carved between two 70-metre red sandstone monoliths with the Denver skyline visible in the distance. Universally regarded as America's greatest outdoor concert venue, Red Rocks hosts performances from May through October. The park itself is free to visit outside concert nights.
Red Rocks Morning Hike
Arrive at Red Rocks at dawn (7–8am) for a hiking workout on the amphitheatre stairs (2,000 steps total) before the morning fog burns off — a Denver tradition. The park's geological trail (2.2 km) explains the Fountain Formation sandstone geology. On non-concert mornings, the empty amphitheatre allows free exploration of the stage and full-formation views
RiNo (River North Art District) and Denver Craft Beer
America's Most Dynamic Arts and Brewing DistrictRiNo (River North Art District) — Denver's most creative neighborhood — contains the highest concentration of craft breweries in any US neighborhood, plus world-class street murals (the walls of warehouses transformed by artists including Shepard Fairey), gallery spaces, and excellent restaurants. Denver's broader craft beer scene has 100+ breweries in the metro area.
Denver's Beer Scene
Denver's craft beer density is extraordinary — Odell Brewing, Great Divide, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado Plus Brew Pub, and the Great Divide Barrel Bar are within walking distance in RiNo. The annual Great American Beer Festival (October, Denver) is the largest craft beer event in the world. Denver has more craft breweries per capita than any other US city
Skiing and Mountain Recreation from Denver
Gateway to the World's Greatest Ski ResortsDenver is the gateway to the greatest ski resort concentration in North America: Breckenridge (150 km), Keystone (150 km), Vail (170 km), Beaver Creek (170 km), Arapahoe Basin (100 km), and Copper Mountain (130 km) are all accessible on I-70 west from Denver. Summit County resorts are 90–120 minutes from DEN airport.
I-70 Mountain Corridor
The I-70 mountain corridor west of Denver is the most ski-traffic-heavy highway in North America on winter weekends — plan to drive on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings before 7am to avoid traffic. Alternatively, Epic Mountain Express and other shuttle services run from DEN airport directly to Vail, Breckenridge, and other resorts, eliminating the rental car.
Denver's 16th Street Mall and Union Station
Denver's Historic Core and Transit HubThe 16th Street Mall — a 1.6-km pedestrian and free shuttle street through downtown Denver — connects Civic Center to Union Station (1881, now a transit hub and hotel). Denver's Union Station (renovated 2014) is one of America's finest adaptive reuse projects — a Beaux Arts train station converted to a destination dining, drinking, and transit complex that anchors downtown Denver.
Union Station Market Hall
Denver Union Station's Market Hall — the grand waiting room transformed into a collection of independent restaurants and bars — is the finest adaptive reuse of a train station in the American West. Cooper Lounge (mezzanine level), Mercantile Dining & Provision, and Terminal Bar are the key indoor spaces. The outdoor plaza (summer only) hosts food trucks and live music Thursday–Saturday evenings
How to Find Cheap Flights to Denver
Book Ski Season Flights 2–4 Months Ahead
December–March (ski season) is Denver's peak travel period — flights to DEN are most expensive and fill fastest during peak ski weeks (Christmas, Presidents' Day weekend, spring break). Book ski-season Denver flights 8–12 weeks in advance on FareOptic. Weekday flights (Tue/Wed/Thu) are 30–50% cheaper than Friday/Sunday ski flights.
Fierce Airline Competition at DEN — Always Compare All Carriers
Denver has one of the most competitive airline markets in the US: United (hub), Southwest (hub), Frontier (HQ), American, Delta, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, and Allegiant all serve DEN. This competition keeps DEN fares among the most competitive in the US. Frontier's Denver fares are especially aggressive on high-frequency routes.
Summer in Denver Is Excellent — But Book Early for Peak Weekends
Denver summers (June–August, 28–32°C) are excellent for hiking, Red Rocks concerts, and Rocky Mountain National Park visits. RMNP and Red Rocks concert weekends cause regional accommodation pressure. Book summer Denver trips 6–8 weeks ahead, and book Red Rocks concert tickets the moment they go on sale.
DEN Is Far From Downtown — Budget Airport Transfer Time
Denver International Airport (DEN) is 38 km northeast of downtown Denver — one of the farthest major airport-to-downtown distances in the US. The Airport Line light rail (University of Colorado A Line) to Union Station downtown takes 37 minutes and costs $10.50. Budget this time when connecting to mountain resort shuttles.
Airlines Serving Denver (DEN)
United Airlines
Denver Hub — United's 2nd Largest HubUnited Airlines operates Denver International Airport (DEN) as its second-largest hub — after O'Hare. United runs 400+ daily departures from DEN to 150+ domestic and international destinations. DEN is United's primary gateway to the Mountain West, connecting Denver to all major US cities and international destinations via United's network.
Key Routes
Denver DEN to all 50 US states; DEN to London LHR (Heathrow); DEN to Frankfurt FRA; DEN to Tokyo NRT; DEN to Cancún CUN; DEN to Mexico City MEX; DEN to all United hubs (ORD, EWR, IAH, SFO, LAX, IAD)
Southwest Airlines
Major Southwest Hub at DENSouthwest Airlines operates Denver as one of its most important hubs — DEN is among Southwest's top 5 airports by daily departures. Southwest serves 60+ nonstop destinations from DEN with no change fees and two free bags. Southwest's DEN presence creates strong fare competition on domestic routes.
Key Routes
Denver DEN to Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas LAS, Phoenix PHX, Chicago MDW, Atlanta ATL, Orlando MCO, Dallas DAL, Seattle SEA, Nashville BNA, Houston HOU, San Diego SAN — Southwest's full point-to-point network
American, Delta, Frontier & Other Carriers
Fierce Competition from All Major Airlines at DENAmerican Airlines, Delta, Spirit, Frontier (Denver-headquartered), Alaska, JetBlue, and Allegiant all serve DEN. Frontier Airlines is based in Denver — its DEN operations are extensive and provide some of the lowest base fares. American connects DEN to Charlotte and Dallas; Delta to Atlanta and Detroit.
Key Routes
Denver DEN to Charlotte CLT (American); DEN to Dallas DFW (American); DEN to Atlanta ATL (Delta); DEN to Detroit DTW (Delta); DEN to Las Vegas LAS (Frontier/Spirit); DEN to Los Angeles LAX (Alaska); DEN to New York JFK (JetBlue); Frontier serves 100+ DEN routes
Things to Do in Denver, Colorado
Essential Info for Your Denver Trip
State
Colorado (CO) — Denver County; state capital and largest city
Currency
USD — US Dollar
Time Zone
MST (UTC-7) / MDT (UTC-6) in summer
Airport Code
DEN — Denver International Airport (38 km NE of downtown)
Airport to Downtown
A Line light rail: 37 min, $10.50. Uber: $35–55.
Altitude
1,609 m (5,280 ft) — acclimatize before heavy exertion
Ski Resorts
Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone — 90–120 min west on I-70
Emergency Number
911
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Denver
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Denver, Colorado
What airport serves Denver, Colorado?
Denver International Airport (IATA: DEN) is the primary airport serving Denver. DEN is located 38 km northeast of downtown Denver. The Airport Line (University of Colorado A Line) light rail connects DEN to Union Station downtown in 37 minutes for $10.50. DEN is consistently one of the world's 10 busiest airports.
How do I get from Denver airport to downtown?
University of Colorado A Line (Airport Line) light rail: 37 minutes from DEN to Union Station, $10.50, runs daily every 15 minutes 4am–1am. Uber/Lyft to downtown: $35–55, 30–50 min. Resort shuttles (Epic Mountain Express, Colorado Mountain Express) run directly from DEN to Breckenridge, Vail, and other mountain resorts.
What is Denver known for?
Denver is known for its proximity to world-class skiing (Breckenridge, Vail, Keystone — 90–120 min west), Rocky Mountain National Park (110 km northwest), Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 300+ days of sunshine, the highest craft brewery concentration of any US city, legal recreational cannabis, and a rapidly growing tech and outdoor industry economy.
What is Red Rocks Amphitheatre?
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a 9,525-seat natural concert venue carved between two 70-metre red sandstone rock formations 26 km southwest of Denver. It is universally considered the finest outdoor concert venue in the US. Performances run May–October. The park (free to visit on non-concert days) includes hiking trails and mountain views.
Is Rocky Mountain National Park worth the trip from Denver?
Absolutely — Rocky Mountain National Park (110 km, about 1.5 hours) is one of America's finest national parks. Trail Ridge Road (the highest continuous paved highway in the US, reaching 3,713 m), wildlife (elk, moose, bighorn sheep), and 350+ km of hiking trails make it a full-day or overnight destination. The park entry pass ($30/vehicle) is valid for 7 days.
What are the best ski resorts near Denver?
Summit County resorts (90–120 min via I-70): Breckenridge (150 km), Keystone (150 km), Arapahoe Basin (100 km), Copper Mountain (130 km). Vail corridor: Vail (170 km, 2 hrs), Beaver Creek (175 km). Front Range: Eldora (80 km). Epic Mountain Express and other shuttle services connect DEN airport directly to most resorts without requiring a rental car.
What is the best time to visit Denver?
Ski season (December–March): peak for skiing, highest fares, Breckenridge/Vail at their best. June–August: hiking, RMNP, Red Rocks concerts, 28–32°C. September–October: fall foliage in RMNP, Great American Beer Festival, 15–22°C — ideal weather with lighter crowds. Denver's 300+ sunny days make almost any month viable.
What are Denver's regulations on recreational cannabis?
Colorado legalized recreational cannabis in 2012. Adults 21+ can legally purchase and consume cannabis in Colorado. Dispensaries are plentiful in Denver. However, consumption is prohibited in public places, parks, hotels (though some cannabis-friendly lodging exists), and airports. Federal regulations prohibit cannabis on flights regardless of state law.
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