Cheap flights to Denver
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Quick facts
State
Colorado
Elevation
5,280 ft (exactly)
Airport
DEN
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-7 (Mountain Time)
Opportunities already detected to Denver
Real flight examples spotted by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Identity
The Mile High City, born of the gold rush
Denver was staked out in 1858, where Cherry Creek meets the South Platte River, after gold turned up at the foot of the Rockies. It is named for Kansas Territorial governor James W. Denver. Colorado's capital and economic hub, it had 715,522 residents at the 2020 census and roughly 3 million in the metro area.
The Mile High nickname is exact: the official elevation is 5,280 feet, one mile, marked on a step of the Colorado State Capitol. The Capitol's dome is covered in gold leaf, a nod to the prospecting era.
Downtown
Larimer Square, the 16th Street Mall and Union Station
Downtown is easy to explore on foot. Larimer Square, the city's oldest surviving block, is named for General William Larimer; behind restored Victorian fronts you find boutiques, bars and restaurants. The mile-long, pedestrian-only 16th Street Mall, served by a free shuttle, links it to Union Station, a Beaux-Arts railway terminal finished in 1914 and restored in 2014.
In LoDo, Coors Field is home to the Rockies (baseball); the Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche also play in the wider downtown area, which makes game nights lively.
Museums and landmarks
Art, nature, history and a gold-domed Capitol
Several museums cluster around Civic Center Park. Hours and fees change, so check before you go and book where needed.
Denver Art Museum. Large collections, including Native American art, and an extension by Daniel Libeskind (Wikipedia).
Clyfford Still Museum. Devoted to the abstract expressionist painter Clyfford Still, right next door.
History Colorado Center. An interactive journey through the state's history, from the gold rush to skiing.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Natural history museum with a planetarium and an IMAX theatre (Wikivoyage).
Kirkland Museum. Fine and decorative art built around the work of Vance Kirkland (Wikipedia).
Molly Brown House and Brown Palace. The Victorian house of Margaret Molly Brown, a Titanic survivor, is now a museum; the Brown Palace Hotel, open since 1892, keeps its seven-storey atrium.
State Capitol. Free guided tours on weekdays, according to two open travel guides (Wikivoyage). Look for the step marked One Mile Above Sea Level.
Neighbourhoods and Latino heritage
RiNo, Highland and Mexican roots
The former industrial district of RiNo (River North Art District) has become Denver's street-art showcase, with large murals, galleries and breweries in converted warehouses. Wikivoyage names Highland among the best neighbourhoods for a night out.
The Mexican and Chicano presence dates from the early 20th century. In 1946 Ramón and Carolina González opened Casa Mayan, the city's first Mexican restaurant. That heritage lives on in areas such as La Alma-Lincoln Park and West Colfax. About one resident in five speaks Spanish at home.
Day trips
Red Rocks, the Rockies and ski towns
About 30 minutes west of downtown, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open-air concert venue set between two red sandstone monoliths, prized for its natural acoustics and year-round programme. The first ridges of the Rockies are only about 12 miles (19 km) west of the Capitol (Wikivoyage).
Breckenridge and Vail are roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road in normal conditions, longer in winter or at peak times. Aspen is much further: allow about 4 hours (Wikivoyage), so it suits a stay of several days.
Food and drink
Craft beer, Rocky Mountain cooking and tacos
Denver is one of America's craft-beer capitals, with more than 150 breweries in the metro area, from small neighbourhood taprooms to big names. The scene started in 1988 with the Wynkoop Brewpub, opened by John Hickenlooper, later the city's mayor. The Great American Beer Festival takes place every autumn (Spanish Wikipedia).
Rocky Mountain cooking. Bison, trout and the Denver omelette are among the regional dishes (German Wikivoyage).
Mexican food. Mexican restaurants are plentiful, and the Chipotle chain was founded in Denver (Spanish Wikipedia).
Where to go. Larimer Square and LoDo for restaurants and bars, Highland for dinner, RiNo for breweries in old warehouses. Wine and spirits are mostly sold in dedicated liquor stores.
Getting around
The A Line, RTD buses and a free shuttle
Airport to downtown. The airport is roughly 30 to 40 km from the centre. The RTD A Line reaches Union Station in about 35 to 40 minutes, and the airport fare is around 10 dollars, to be checked (two Wikivoyage editions).
In town. RTD runs buses and light rail; a day of local transit costs about 5.50 dollars according to English and German Wikivoyage, to be confirmed. The MallRide shuttle is free on 16th Street. Shared bikes and scooters exist, with operators that change.
By car and train. Interstates 25, 70 and 76 serve the city. Amtrak's California Zephyr stops once a day in each direction. A rental car helps for the Rockies; downtown parking is paid.
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Gallery
Denver from above
By length of stay
What to do in Denver depending on how long you stay
The essentials
Larimer Square, the 16th Street Mall, Union Station, the Capitol and one museum, then a brewery crawl in the evening.
Go deeper
Add the Civic Center museums, RiNo and a concert or a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
The Rockies
Rent a car for a ski town such as Breckenridge or Vail, 1.5 to 2 hours away, or for Aspen, about 4 hours away.
Denver airport
The main airport for your flight to Denver
Denver International
At about 53 square miles (137 km2), DEN is the largest airport in the US by land area and the second largest in the world. It lies east of the city, roughly 30 to 40 km from the centre, and the A Line reaches Union Station in about 37 minutes.
When to go
Climate and best time to visit Denver
Spring
March and April are the snowiest months, but the snow melts within days. April averages highs around 16 °C.
Summer
Hot and dry: about 30 to 32 °C in the afternoon in July and cool nights near 15 °C. Thunderstorms often build in late afternoon from late July.
Autumn
Clear skies and mild temperatures. Colours peak in mid-September in the mountains and in October in the city.
Winter
Cold but often sunny: January averages about 7 °C by day and -8 °C at night. Snow is possible from October to March, and the ski season draws travellers.
The climate is semi-arid at altitude: 370 to 410 mm of precipitation a year depending on the records, 125 to 155 cm of snow and about 3,100 hours of sunshine (Wikipedia in English, French and Spanish). Pack layers, as day-to-night swings are large, and wear sunscreen all year.
Budget
A mid-range budget, with no price figures
Denver is a large American city: accommodation and restaurants sit at a mid-to-high price level, with rises in summer and during the ski season. We do not publish price figures, because they change and do not cross-check between sources.
A few things are free or modest: the MallRide shuttle, weekday Capitol tours and most strolls around town. Museums, Red Rocks concerts and parking come on top; compare before you book.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Denver
What is Denver's airport?
Denver International (DEN), one of the world's largest airports by land area, roughly 30 to 40 km from the centre. The RTD A Line reaches Union Station in about 37 minutes.
How much does a flight to Denver usually cost?
The price mainly depends on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real price examples already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How long is a flight to Denver from Europe?
Typically between 10 and 11 hours depending on your departure city.
When is the best time to visit Denver?
Autumn for mild days and clear skies, and summer for hiking and concerts. Winter suits skiers, with snow possible from October to March.
Why is Denver called the Mile High City?
Its official elevation is 5,280 feet, one mile above sea level, marked on a step of the Colorado State Capitol.
Which museums should I visit in Denver?
The Denver Art Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum, the History Colorado Center, the Museum of Nature & Science and the Molly Brown House. The Capitol offers free tours on weekdays.
How do I get from the airport to downtown Denver?
By the RTD A Line, which reaches Union Station in about 35 to 40 minutes, or by taxi, shuttle or rental car.
What should I eat and drink in Denver?
Craft beer (more than 150 breweries in the metro area), Mexican food and Rocky Mountain dishes such as bison or trout.
Is Denver a good base for Colorado's ski resorts?
Yes: Breckenridge and Vail are about 1.5 to 2 hours away by road in normal conditions; Aspen, about 4 hours away, suits a stay of several days.
What's the best time to book a flight to Denver?
There's no universal rule: the best price depends on your specific route. That's exactly why SniperAir tracks prices on your behalf instead of giving you generic advice.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Denver drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Denver as the destination, and your maximum budget. You'll be notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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