Denver International Airport (DEN), also referred to as DIA, is among the largest and most active airports in the world in terms of land area. It can be challenging to navigate if you are unfamiliar with its layout since, unlike other airports with multiple terminal buildings, it only has one single landside terminal that connects with three airside concourses. As soon as you learn the basic configuration of Denver Airport, reading the Denver Airport map will become a breeze for you. In this article, you will learn everything there is to know about the DEN airport map.
Overview: What is the Layout of Denver International Airport?
Denver International Airport is located 25 miles northeast of Denver city, and it has been recognized for its massive land area. The structure of the airport can be simplified into several different components:
- Jeppesen Terminal – the only main terminal, named after aviation safety expert Elrey Borge Jeppesen
- Concourse A – the nearest to the Jeppesen Terminal, accessible by a bridge walkway
- Concourse B – the largest concourse; serves mostly United Airlines
- Concourse C – the concourse of Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and other domestic airlines
Concourses A, B, and C are all linked to the Jeppesen Terminal via the Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS), an underground train that has been running at DEN since the opening of the airport in 1995.
Jeppesen Terminal: The Core of DEN Airport Map
The Jeppesen Terminal is the only landside building at DEN; it means that it is the only building at the airport you can reach without passing the security check. It occupies six floors and accommodates all check-ins, security checks, baggage claim facilities, and transportation services of the airport. The Jeppesen Terminal is divided into two parts, East and West, with different ticket counters, curbside facilities, and parking garages, so it is important to know which side your airline operates from.
Important levels within the Jeppesen Terminal include:
- Level 5 – Ticketing and check-in: Airlines’ ticketing counters are located on both the eastern and western sides of the building. This is also the point where the walking bridge to Concourse A starts.
- Level 5 – Arrivals and baggage reclaim: Baggage carousels are located on the eastern and western sides, together with ground transportation, rent-a-car shuttle, and access to the Westin hotel on-site.
- Level 6 – Security: North and South security checkpoints are located at this level, with dynamic queue management ensuring that passengers queue for the fastest line. The southern side of the building has access to the plaza, Westin hotel, and transit center.
- Level below the terminal – Train level: After passing through the security checkpoint, the passenger can take an escalator or an elevator to reach the AGTS train platform.
Concourses A, B, and C: What Sets Each Apart from the Other
Upon going through the security checkpoint, the DEN airport is divided into three different concourses. Here is how each one stands out from the others.
- Concourse A is the nearest concourse to the main terminal and is also the only concourse that can be accessed on foot via a pedestrian bridge, rather than by train. This concourse caters to both domestic and international flights, with all of DEN’s international flights arriving or departing from here using gates equipped for widebody planes.
- Concourse B is the largest of all the concourses and caters almost entirely to United Airlines, being home to the majority of the gates at this airport. Concourse B is subdivided into east and west gate sections.
- Concourse C caters to Southwest Airlines as well as other domestic airlines, including Frontier Airlines, and can only be accessed via the underground train.
| Concourse | Major Airlines | Ways to Get There | Types of Flights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concourse A | Mixed airlines, all international flights | Pedestrian skybridge and train | Domestic and International |
| Concourse B | United Airlines (most gates) | Underground train (AGTS) | Domestic and International |
| Concourse C | Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines | Underground train (AGTS) | Domestic |
The Gate Expansion Program has been implemented in DEN for several years already. Many new gates have been added in all concourses, and such new facilities as outdoor decks and additional holdrooms were constructed. This greatly increased the capacity of the gates at Denver International Airport.
Moving from One Concourse to Another Using the Underground Train
Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) is an underground train connecting Jeppesen Terminal and concourses A, B, and C. It operates 24/7 since the airport opened in 1995 and is crucial to navigating through the DEN map.
Some tips regarding the train:
- Trains usually operate every 1.5-2 minutes at peak times.
- The whole train line operates underground and remains entirely in the secure or “sterile” area of the airport.
- Every concourse has its own station where there is a platform located between both directions.
- There is no need to use the train in order to reach Concourse A by walking; however, the train is the only possible mode of transport to Concourses B and C.
Taking into consideration that gate numbers may be located on both ends of the concourse, make sure to budget some additional time for walking after you leave the train, especially considering that Concourse B is the largest one out of the three.
Accessibility at the DEN Airport
There are accessible services offered at the Denver airport, which include accessible parking facilities both in the east and west garages as well as short-term lots along with shuttle services; wheelchairs can be arranged through your airline, and it is advised to book them at least 48 hours before your arrival if possible. Service dogs are allowed throughout the terminal area and train stations, while braille guide books can be arranged from the assistance kiosks located around the airport.
Conclusion
DEN airport map may seem rather overwhelming at first glance due to its enormous size, but the main structure of the airport is actually very simple – there is one central terminal, three separate concourses, and an AGTS train that connects everything. Once you understand which side of the Jeppesen Terminal is used by your airline, which concourse is used by your flights, and how the AGTS train links everything together, things will become much easier for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Denver International Airport has only one terminal, which is known as Jeppesen Terminal and is connected to three concourses: A, B, and C, where all departure gates are situated.
After going through the security checkpoint in Jeppesen Terminal, you can either cross the bridge to Concourse A or take the free train (AGTS) that runs nonstop to all Concourses: A, B, and C, round the clock with a high frequency of departures.
All airlines, along with all international flights, operate from Concourse A. Concourse B serves only United Airlines. Concourse C serves Southwest Airlines and other domestic airlines such as Frontier Airlines.
There is a commuter train by the name of the RTD A Line that will take you directly from DEN airport to Denver Union Station in approximately 37 minutes. There are other modes of transportation like ride-share services, taxis, cars for rent, and public buses from the airport as well.
DEN does not have any such provision of luggage storage at its airport premises, so make sure you arrange for luggage storage before your journey.