Denver International Airport Prepares for Passenger Surge During Fall Break Travel Rush

DENVER – Oct. 7, 2026 – Denver International Airport (DEN) is preparing for a surge in travelers, as Fall Break for school districts along Colorado’s Front Range is set to increase passenger volumes in the coming weeks.

From Thursday, Oct. 8 to Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, more than 965,000 passengers are forecast by the TSA to travel through DEN’s security checkpoints. DEN estimates the busiest days of travel will be Thursday, October 8, Friday October 9 and Sunday, October 18, when there could be more than 90,000 passengers per day passing through security.

Passengers are encouraged to check TSA security wait times at FlyDenver.com/security and to arrive inside the airport at least two hours before their boarding time to ensure they have plenty of time to check bags, travel through security and arrive at their gate. Security wait times can change quickly, DEN will be experiencing longer lines, especially during peak times, which are 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.

Before You Leave for the Airport

• Check with your airline to confirm your flight status at FlyDenver.com/arrivals and check in online if possible.
• Check real-time parking availability at www.FlyDenver.com/parking_transit/parking.
• Check real-time TSA security wait times at FlyDenver.com/security.

TSA

The East and West Checkpoints are mirror images of each other, with nearly identical lanes on each side. Passengers who don’t need to check a bag or visit an airline counter upon arrival can be conveniently dropped off at specific doors on Level 6 (East or West) and immediately access the security checkpoints.

If you are being dropped off on Level 6 West, look for doors 606-600, with TSA PreCheck access closest to doors 602 and 600. If you are being dropped off on Level 6 East look for doors 601-605 with TSA PreCheck closest to door 601 and 603.

West Security is open from 3:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (the next morning) and East Security is open from 3 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. East Security TSA Precheck is open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. and West Security TSA Precheck is open from 4 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. every day of the week.

DEN’s A Bridge offers a convenient walking route to Concourse A from the security checkpoints.

• East/West Security 1: This entrance is for standard screening passengers, which makes up the majority of DEN passengers.

• East/West Security 2: This entrance is for Restricted Access, which consists of various groups including:
  • Premium/Premier Access
  • Accessibility and Functional Needs
  • Military Personnel
  • CLEAR without PreCheck
• East/West Security 3: This entrance is for TSA PreCheck passengers, CLEAR with PreCheck and Touchless ID (TIS) passengers.

Passengers may sign up for expedited screening programs available at DEN checkpoints. Learn more about TSA PreCheck and CLEAR.

TSA offers these tips for all flyers as they plan upcoming travel:

• Have a valid ID: Bring your REAL ID, passport or other acceptable form of identification and have it out to show the TSA officer at the checkpoint entrance. Effective February 1, 2026, passengers without a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification will need to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized identity verification system, TSA ConfirmID, to establish identity at security checkpoints.
• Set up your digital ID: Coloradans can now use their myColorado mDL (mobile driver’s license) at TSA security checkpoints at DEN. The myColorado mDL is different from the Colorado Digital ID, but both are available in your myColorado app Wallet. Flyers should add their mDL before arriving at the airport to ensure a secure connection and full functionality prior to TSA screening.

Travelers uncertain about a specific item can use the free “What Can I Bring?” tool on the MyTSA app.

Travelers with disabilities or medical conditions may contact TSA Cares at (855) 787-2227 to request assistance while at the TSA checkpoint. For general information, visit TSA.gov.

Parking

Longs Peak will open on Thursday morning Oct. 8, to accommodate the influx of passengers for the heavy travel period. Once filled, Pikes Peak will re-open for the remainder of the weekend until full.

DEN Parking Management will continually observe available space and will re-open a full lot at the appropriate time. In the event both shuttle lots are full, passengers are encouraged to look at the 61^st & Peña station lot or non-DEN parking locations.

DEN now offers the Passio Go app, where passengers can view shuttle statuses and expected time of arrival in real-time. View DEN’s Passio Go status page.

Please check FlyDenver.com/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/ or electronic signage when approaching the airport for the most up-to-date information for DEN parking lot availability.

Premium Reserve Parking: Premium Reserve Parking offers a reserved spot as early as 90 days in advance or as soon as five minutes in advance, depending on parking area capacity. Book early as this parking can fill up.

Reservations cost $45 a day with a one-time $5 service fee per reservation. Premium Reserve is conveniently located at Arrivals, on Level 4 East and West. Visit the reservation page.

 Transit

Parking lots at DEN tend to fill up quickly during busy travel periods. Consider taking the RTD A Line to DEN. Through Saturday, Oct. 10, the A Line is running on a 30-minute service frequency due to repairs. View the A Line schedule and view more information on all the public transportation options offered at DEN.

RTD’s newest SkyRide service, Route AL, now provides Longmont residents with a direct, reliable connection to DEN. Route AL operates hourly from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The line travels from the 8th Avenue and Coffman Street Park‑n‑Ride along US 287, with stops at the Niwot and Lafayette Park‑n‑Rides, before continuing along E‑470 to DEN. Travelers are dropped off at DEN’s Transit Center and can reach the Jeppesen Terminal with a single escalator ride.

 Meet & Assist

Airport Butler can provide meet-and-assist services to help travelers navigate DEN efficiently and with ease at any stage of their journey, including international departures and domestic arrivals, departures and connections. Personal assistants can meet customers at a predetermined location, provide check-in and luggage assistance, help navigate TSA security checkpoints and help determine the best ground transportation options for travelers’ journeys beyond DEN.

In addition to their meet-and-assist services at DEN, Airport Butler offers personalized services including car service reservation, lounge access and other customized options to fit travelers’ unique needs while waiting at the gate.

Click here to make an Airport Butler reservation.

Picking up Passengers

• Check with your friend or family member’s airline or visit FlyDenver.com/arrivals to confirm that the flight is on time before heading to the airport.
• It’s recommended that those picking up travelers wait for their call at Final Approach, the airport’s cell phone waiting lot, until they are ready to be picked up. Final Approach is located approximately three miles west of Jeppesen Terminal. It can be easily accessed via eastbound Peña Boulevard to 75th Avenue and northbound Gun Club Road; westbound Peña Boulevard to Wenatchee Street; or from East 78th Avenue. Signs are posted along all access routes.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

DEN has a variety of new food, beverage and retail options for passengers to enjoy, with 17 new openings in 2026 to date. Check out all the amazing offerings at DEN.

DEN Customer Service

Have a question about traveling through DEN? Passengers can reach out to DEN’s customer service team by calling 720-730-IFLY (720-730-4359). Text us your questions at 720-902-9351. Passengers can also click the “Chat with an Agent” button on FlyDenver.com to connect with one of our DEN Live Agents via chat between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $47.2 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.