Denver International Airport is enormous, and the most common mistake arriving passengers make is going to the wrong place to meet their ride. Uber and Lyft, taxis, mountain shuttles, the train and private car services all pick up in different spots, and the signs in the terminal do not always make the difference obvious after a long flight.

This guide shows where every kind of ride picks up at DIA, based on the airport's own ground transportation information, so you walk out of baggage claim to the right place the first time.

The Short Version

Uber and Lyft: Level 5, Island 5, east or west side
Taxi: Level 5, Island 1
Private car service and limousines: Limousine area, Level 5, Island 2
Shared vans and commuter shuttles: Level 5, Island 4, doors 511 to 513 (east) and 504 to 508 (west)
Mountain shuttles to the ski resorts: Level 5, Island 4
Hotel shuttles: Level 5
RTD A Line train to downtown: Transit Center, Level 1
Rental cars: Free shuttle from the terminal to off-site rental lots

How the Terminal Is Laid Out

The main building at DIA is the Jeppesen Terminal, the one with the white peaked roof. It has two sides, east and west, and baggage claim is split between them. When you collect your bags, note which side you are on, because most pickup areas exist on both sides and your driver needs to know which one.

Ground transportation is organized in numbered islands on Level 5, outside the baggage claim doors. Each island serves a different kind of ride, which is why you cannot simply walk out of any door and expect your car to be there.

Uber and Lyft Pickup at DIA

Ride-share pickup is on Level 5, Island 5, on either the east or the west side of the terminal. Request your ride once you have your bags, walk out to Island 5 on your side, and match the car with the plate number in the app.

The airport estimates 25 to 35 minutes to downtown Denver by ride-share, depending on traffic. Prices are set by the app when you request and can rise sharply at busy times, such as when several flights land together or during a snowstorm.

Taxi Pickup

Taxis pick up on Level 5, Island 1. They run 24 hours a day, need no booking, and charge a metered fare to most metro destinations.

Private Car Service and Limousine Pickup

Pre-arranged private car services and limousines use the limousine area on Level 5, Island 2. This is where your chauffeur meets you if you booked a black car or chauffeur service in advance.

With Luxury Rides Denver, the process is simple:

Collect your bags on your side of the terminal, east or west.
Walk out to Level 5, Island 2, the limousine area.
Check in at the limo booth with our company name and your last name.
Your chauffeur brings the vehicle to you.

Because we track your flight, an early or late arrival simply moves the pickup time. You can add a meet and greet with a name sign at arrivals if you prefer to be met inside. The important thing is not to go to Island 5: that is the ride-share island, and it is where most first-time visitors wait for the wrong car. Our DIA airport transfers page has the full procedure.

Shuttles: Hotels, Shared Vans and the Mountains

Shared vans and commuter shuttles pick up on Level 5, Island 4. They take several passengers to hotels and addresses around the metro, and the airport estimates 45 to 60 minutes to downtown.
Mountain shuttles to Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper, Aspen and Steamboat also use Level 5, Island 4. Book in advance in ski season.
Hotel shuttles for more than 40 nearby hotels pick up on Level 5.

The Train to Downtown Denver

The RTD A Line runs from the Transit Center on Level 1, below the Westin hotel, to Union Station in downtown Denver in about 37 minutes, with stops at 61st and Peña, 40th and Airport, and 38th and Blake. It normally runs every 15 minutes and is the cheapest way downtown. It is a good choice for a light traveler heading to a hotel near Union Station, and less convenient with heavy bags or for a destination far from a station.

Rental Cars

All rental car counters are off site. Free shuttles run from the Jeppesen Terminal pickup area to the rental lots, so allow extra time before you are actually on the road.

Picking Someone Up at DIA

If you are collecting a friend or family member, the airport has a free cell phone waiting lot where you can wait until they have their bags, so you do not have to circle the terminal. Agree on east or west side and a door number before you drive up.

Tips for a Smooth Pickup

Know your side. East or west makes a difference of a long walk across the terminal.
Collect your bags before you request a ride. Baggage at DIA can take a while, and ride-share drivers will not wait long.
In winter, dress for the curb. The islands are outside, and Denver evenings are cold.
Departing early? For a pre-dawn flight, book your car the day before. Our guide to getting from Denver airport to Vail covers timing for mountain returns.

Late Flights, Delays and Early Departures

DIA runs around the clock, but not every ride does. Taxis are available 24/7 at the Island 1 stands, and ride-share drivers are usually around, though prices can spike late at night or when several delayed flights land at once. Shared shuttles and the mountain carriers run on schedules, so a late arrival can mean waiting for a later departure or a night near the airport.

A pre-booked chauffeur is the one option that adjusts to you: the flight is tracked, so a three-hour delay simply moves the pickup, and the car is waiting when you clear baggage claim at 1 a.m. The same applies in reverse for a 6 a.m. departure: book the pickup the day before so it is confirmed.

What to Tell Your Driver

Whoever is picking you up, these details save time at the curb:

Your airline and flight number, so the arrival can be tracked.
Which side of the terminal your baggage claim is on, east or west.
How many passengers and bags, including skis, golf bags or a stroller.
Whether you need a child seat; with us it can be added when you book.

Heading Straight to the Mountains?

If your trip continues to a ski resort, you do not need to go downtown first. Mountain shuttles leave from Level 5, Island 4, and a private car can take you directly from Island 2 to Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone or any resort in an all-wheel drive SUV. Compare the options in our guides to Denver airport to Vail and Denver airport to Breckenridge, or see every resort on the ski resort transportation page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Uber pickup at Denver airport? Level 5, Island 5, on the east or west side of the Jeppesen Terminal.

Where do limos and car services pick up at DIA? At the limousine area on Level 5, Island 2. Check in at the limo booth with the company name and your last name.

What level is pickup at Denver airport? Most commercial ground transportation picks up on Level 5. The A Line train is on Level 1 at the Transit Center.

Is DIA the same as DEN? Yes. DEN is the airport's official code and DIA is the name locals use for Denver International Airport.

How do I get from Denver airport to downtown? By the A Line train from Level 1, by taxi from Island 1, by ride-share from Island 5, or with a private car from Island 2. See our DIA to downtown Denver car service page for door-to-door transfers.

Book Your Pickup

Skip the island hunt entirely: book a private chauffeur who tracks your flight and meets you at Island 2. See vehicles and price online or call (720) 388-3100, 24 hours a day.

Sources

Denver International Airport, Ground transportation to and from DEN: pickup islands, shuttles, hotel shuttles and the A Line train.

Denver Airport Pickup Guide: Where Uber, Taxis and Car Services Meet You at DIA