Wondering what there is to do near Denver Airport during a long layover? DEN sits about 25 miles from downtown, which sounds like a dealbreaker until you realize a direct train connects the two in under 40 minutes. Whether you have two hours or a full day between flights, here’s exactly how to spend it.
Getting From DEN to Denver
The RTD A Line train runs between the airport and Union Station in downtown Denver, with a travel time of about 37 minutes. Trains depart every 15 minutes during the day (every 30 minutes late night/early morning) and run 24/7, so there’s no need to plan around a schedule. A one-way ticket costs $10, and you board directly from the Transit Center on Level 1 of the airport.
How Much Time Do You Need?
| Layover Length | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Under 2 hours | Stay airside — explore DEN’s public art and the Tattered Cover bookstore |
| 2–4 hours | Stanley Marketplace or Wings Over the Rockies, both near the airport |
| 4–6 hours | Quick round trip to Union Station and the surrounding LoDo district |
| 6+ hours | Full downtown visit: Union Station, Denver Art Museum, Denver Zoo or Museum of Nature & Science |
Build in buffer time for security on the way back — 90 minutes before domestic boarding is a safe rule of thumb, more if you’re checking a bag.
Best Things to Do Near Denver Airport
- Stanley Marketplace (Aurora, ~20 minutes from DEN): a converted airplane hangar packed with chef-driven restaurants, local shops, and a brewery — one of the closest genuine “things to do” outside the terminal.
- Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum: set on the former Lowry Air Force Base, a solid pick if you’re into aviation history and want something low-key close to the airport.
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science: about 25 minutes from the airport, with an IMAX theater and planetarium if you have a half day to spare.
- Denver Zoo: family-friendly, with thousands of animals across the grounds — pair it with the Museum of Nature & Science since they sit close to each other in City Park.
If You Have More Time: Downtown Denver
With 6+ hours, ride the A Line straight to Union Station — a restored 1914 rail terminal that’s now a hub of restaurants, cafés, and breweries in its own right. From there, it’s a short walk or ride to Coors Field, the Denver Art Museum, and the RiNo Art District, one of the best areas in the city for street art and craft coffee.
At the Airport Itself
If your layover is too short to leave, DEN is still worth a look. It holds one of the largest public art collections of any airport in the world, with sculptures and installations scattered throughout the terminals, plus a location of the Tattered Cover Book Store — one of the most respected independent bookstores in the US — if you need something to read for the next leg.
Heading into the city for a few hours? Store your luggage near Denver Airport or downtown with Radical Storage so you’re not lugging bags onto the A Line.
Denver Airport Layover FAQs
DEN is about 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, roughly a 37-minute train ride on the RTD A Line or a 30-45 minute drive depending on traffic.
The RTD A Line train is the cheapest reliable option at $10 one-way, running every 15 minutes during the day, 24 hours a day.
It’s tight. A round trip on the A Line alone takes over an hour, so a 3-hour layover only really allows for a stop at something close, like Stanley Marketplace, rather than a downtown visit.
DEN has one of the largest public art collections of any airport worldwide, plus a Tattered Cover Book Store location, several sit-down restaurants, and yoga/relaxation areas in some concourses.
Radical Storage has luggage storage locations near Denver Airport and around downtown Denver, letting you explore without carrying your bags.
Stanley Marketplace in Aurora is about 20 minutes away and is the closest genuine dining and shopping destination outside the terminal.
Comparing layovers at other hubs? See our guides to Miami International Airport and LAX.
