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Denver International Airport expects the “first busy travel season of the year” to start today, March 13, with more than 1.2 million passengers projected to pass through the airport before the end of March, according to an announcement from DIA.
Airport officials expect more than 80,000 people at the security lines on at least three different days this month – March 14, 16 and 21 – with peak hours between 3 and 4:30 a.m., 8 and 10 a.m., and 3 to 5 p.m.
July is typically a busier travel month, with around 90,000 people expected to pass through security daily, but March and spring break are right up there. Compared to last year, an 8 percent increase in passengers is anticipated from today through March 29, according to DIA.
So expect congestion.
“Passengers are encouraged to arrive inside the airport at least two hours in advance of their boarding time to ensure they have plenty of time to check bags, travel through security and arrive at their gate,” the airport advises. “There is the potential for longer security lines.”
As you prepare to travel, here are some helpful tips from DIA to avoid stress and missed flights:
Parking at Denver Airport
Some DIA parking lots are expected to be filled by the end of this week. The Pikes Peak lot, which is for long-term parking and requires a shuttle to get to the terminal, could be full by March 15, according to DIA.
Once the Pikes Peak Lot is at capacity, the Longs Peak lot will open – until it fills up. Parking at either of those long-term lots costs $8 a day.
West and east terminal garages are much closer, with the west lot’s sixth level leading right to the west security checkpoint – and more expensive, at $30 a day or $7 an hour. The east and west economy lots are little further beyond the terminal garages, but cost $18 a day or $6 an hour.
Travelers can keep track of which parking lots are filled through online airport updates; DIA details the costs and lists other lots in the area there, too. DIA also offers parking reservations that cost $45 a day along with a $5 fee.
Public Transit to DIA
Starting at Union Station with several stops along the way, the RTD A Line goes directly to DIA. Tickets are $9.50 each way, with schedules and live trackers available online.
For travelers coming from northeastern Colorado, the Bustang Outrider Sterling route has stops in Sterling, Brush and Fort Morgan, and will drop you off at the airport for rom $12 to $20. The Bustang DIA route runs Monday through Friday, arrives at the airport at 9:35 a.m. and departs for Sterling at 3 p.m.
DIA Security Checkpoints
The airport used to have a security checkpoint on a bridge into the A gate area, but that checkpoint no longer operates. Passengers will have to go through security checkpoints on the west or south ends of the main terminal.
The west security checkpoint is the primary TSA PreCheck line, but it closes at 7:30 p.m, while the south security checkpoint closes for pre-check at 8:45 p.m. After 10 p.m., travelers with TSA PreCheck have to wait in the standard screening line, but will get a form for expedited screening once they reach the security check.
Wait times for standard and pre-check TSA security lines are shared online, but the airport recommends three options for getting through security faster: TSA PreCheck, Clear and making a reservation.
TSA PreCheck at the west security checkpoint allows people to leave liquids and laptops in their bag. People can apply for TSA Precheck online; enrollment requires an interview and a $78 fee for a five-year membership.
Clear (which you’ve probably been offered to try for free as you approach security) gets people to the front of TSA lines by having them check in with biometric data at kiosks. It costs $200 a year. But while Clear gets travelers to the front of the line, it won’t get you through the security checks faster. It can be paired with TSA PreCheck, however.
Travelers can also make appointments with Denver TSA security up to fourteen days before their trip to get through security faster.
