Travel & Transportation
Here are some key considerations when moving to (and around) the Denver area.
Denver International Airport
The closest airport to the CU Denver Campus is Denver International Airport (DEN). Denver International Airport has one Terminal that connects to three concourses (A, B, and C) by train. The Jeppesen Terminal has two sides: East and West.
If you arrive in Denver from an international airport, you will be directed straight to Customs and Border Patrol. Once you pass CBP, you will pick up your checked luggage, then you will exit to the main terminal. If you arrive in Denver from a domestic airport, follow the signs for the Train and Baggage Claim.
Once you exit to the main terminal, you can collect your checked luggage and find your transportation to your final destination.
A Line Commuter Train
The A Line commuter train is operated by the Regional Transportation District (RTD), and offers convenient, easy transportation between the airport and downtown Denver:
- Travel time: 37 minutes from the airport to Denver Union Station
- Frequency: Trains run every 15-30 minutes, except between 1:30-4:00am (for exact departure and arrival times, visit the RTD website)
- Tickets: You can buy A line train tickets using cash or a credit card at the ticket vending machines located at the train stations or at the DEN airport Transit Center. Tickets can also be purchased on the RTD MyRide app.
- Fare: The train ticket from the airport is $10.00 per day, and it includes unlimited travel on RTD trains and buses for the rest of the day using the same ticket.
For more information about getting to your destination using public transportation, please visit the RTD Trip Planner.
Ride App Services
Ride apps like Lyft and Uber offer pickup and drop-off transportation service for passengers at Denver International Airport.
Ride App Drop-Off Location - Level 5, Curbside: Passengers arriving at the airport via a ride app service will be dropped off at their specified airline location on Level 5, east or west.
Ride App Pickup Location - Level 5, Island 5: Passengers who have requested rides through Lyft or Uber apps should follow signs for ground transportation, then exit the terminal through doors 506-510 (west side) and 507-511 (east side) on Level 5 near baggage claim and proceed to Island 5 to meet your Lyft or Uber driver.
Passengers using a ride app service may only be picked up in the designated area of Level 5. Find the Ride App Pickup Area on this interactive map.
Helpful Tips:
- Request your ride only after you have your luggage and have arrived at the designated doors to exit the airport.
- Please use the designated crosswalks to access Island 5 and be aware of vehicle traffic in the area.
- Ride app drivers are not allowed to solicit customers and payment is made in the mobile app.
- Rides may only be requested through the mobile apps.
- Before you get into a ride app vehicle, make sure the license plate, car make and model, and driver’s name match what is in the app.
Please download the Uber and/or Lyft app to your phone in order to request rides. If it’s your first time using the service, look for first time rider discounts! They may be available on the website or the app.
Private or Shared Shuttle Services
You may be able to schedule a private driver or shared shuttle in advance. Shared-ride service shuttles pick-up and drop-off from Jeppesen Terminal Level 5, island 5, outside doors 505-507 (east side) and 510-512 (west side).
Here are links to a couple of shared shuttle service operators:
Travel Tips for Long Flights
Many of our international students have to take a really long flight to get to Denver. Here are some tips for making a long flight more pleasant:
- Power up. Make sure you have all your chargers with you so that you can keep all your devices powered up throughout your flight. Alternatively, bring extra batteries or an external charging device in case your plane doesn’t have electrical outlets, but check airline regulations first!.
- Before you board your flight, make sure that your devices (tablet, laptop, smartphone, e-reader) have enough games, movies, television shows, music, or books downloaded to keep you entertained during the long flight. Also, search for the airline’s app to download in advance for additional entertainment options.
- Bring supplies to make your flight more comfortable, whether it be a travel pillow, a foot rest, compression socks, an eye mask, earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, motion-sickness treatment, or something else.
- Wear comfortable clothes. The temperature on a plane is rarely comfortable for everyone. Pack some layers so that you can adjust as the temperature changes on the plane.
- Bring snacks/water or plan to purchase food on the plane if necessary.
It is important that when you travel, you keep your passport, I-20, visa, ISSS contact info, and class schedule with you at all times. These documents should not be separated from you, because at Denver International Airport, you have to pass Customs and Border Patrol before you can collect your checked luggage.
Public Transportation
RTD (Regional Transportation District)
Denver is home to many great forms of transportation. Our public transportation system is managed by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). Our train system in Denver is called the light rail. We also have buses. On the RTD website, you can find more information on the available trains, buses and their routes, and tools for planning your trip. You may want to check out the system and rail maps on the website.
The light rail stations that are closest to the CU Denver campus are:
- Colfax at Auraria
- Auraria West
- Theatre District
- Ball Arena- Elitch Gardens
The light rail stations that are closest to the CU Anschutz campus are:
- Colfax Station
- Fitzsimons Station
You may want to find a place to live that is close to a light rail station so you don’t have to worry about driving and paying for parking. Alternatively, you could find a place to live that is near a bus route that goes downtown.
Bustang
The Bustang is the intercity bus service for Denver. These are high quality express buses that are easy to use. You can travel to many other cities in Colorado including Fort Collins, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and more.
Student RTD Pass
CU Denver students are eligible for discounted pricing on RTD passes which can be used on all Denver RTD buses and light rail trains. You can learn more about getting the RTD CollegePass on the Auraria Campus website.
CU Anschutz students pay for the CollegePass as part of their student fees. For questions about accessing your transport pass at CU Anschutz, please email studentaffaris@cuanschutz.edu.
All trips to and from the airport are included with the CollegePass. The CollegePass is not valid for special services or the Bustang.
Colorado Driver's License
Parking Maps
If you have access to a car and you’ve obtained a Colorado driver’s license, you can drive to campus. Below are the maps for parking on each campus.
Bike / Scooter Options
Another great way to get around Denver is by biking or riding electric scooters. You can usually bike or scoot when the weather is nice and the roads are dry (about 9 months out of the year). There are several bike and scooter rental options to consider. The apps below are the most popular short-term rentals for bikes and scooters in Denver.
- Lime (on the Uber app)
- Bird (on the Lyft app)
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