DEN is Ready to ‘Spring’ into Action for Busy Travel Break

DENVER – March 11, 2025 – Spring Break, the first busy travel season of the year is here, and Denver International Airport (DEN) is preparing for an uptick in travelers compared to the same period from last year.

From Thursday March 13, 2025, to Saturday, March 29, more than 1,227,118 estimated passengers will travel through DEN’s security checkpoint, an 8% increase over actual screening volume from the same period in 2024. The busiest days of travel, when there could be more than 80,000 passengers per day passing through security, are expected to be Friday, March 14, Sunday, March 16 and Friday, March 21. (Projected passenger data is not yet available for Sunday, March 30, though based on historical data, it will likely remain busy through the end of the week).

For comparison, here are the all-time busiest travel days:

• July 7, 2024 – 93,591 passengers screened (busiest day on record at DEN)
• July 21, 2024 – 89,421 passengers screened
• July 16, 2023 – 88,684 passengers screened

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. There is the potential for longer security lines, especially during peak times, which are 3:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Here are some travel tips for passengers traveling through DEN over the Spring Break travel period.

TSA

West Security Checkpoint (located on Level 6 at the Northwest corner of the Terminal): Primary checkpoint for TSA PreCheck passengers, open 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• TSA PreCheck: This checkpoint serves the majority of our TSA PreCheck passengers. These passengers should enter the checkpoint at West Security 3 (near Door 600).
• CLEAR PreCheck Customers: A CLEAR lane is available at West Security 3 of this checkpoint (near Door 600) for travelers who are CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck. CLEAR customers without TSA PreCheck must use South Security.
• Restricted Access for Accessibility/Premium/Employees/Military Traveler Lane: This lane is located at West Security 2 of this checkpoint (near Door 606).
• Standard Screening: Passengers with Standard Screening should utilize the entry point at West Security 1.
• DEN RESERVE: Make a reservation to go through security, a free service that allows all passengers to reserve a dedicated time slot through DEN’s West Security Checkpoint. This option provides passengers a more predictable and seamless travel experience.  Book up to 14 days early and shorten your wait! Passengers with reservations can find their entry point at West Security 2 (near Door 606). Reservations are available from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
• Enhanced technology at this checkpoint allows passengers to leave items like liquids and laptops in their bags.

South Security Checkpoint (located on Level 5 at the South end of the Terminal): Primary checkpoint for standard screening, open 3 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily

• Standard Screening: This checkpoint is primarily dedicated for travelers requiring standard screening.
• TSA PreCheck: There are four TSA PreCheck lanes open from 4 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. located on the backside of the checkpoint (near Baggage Claim 7). PreCheck passengers traveling after 10 p.m. may use South Security and receive a form of expedited screening.
• CLEAR Standard Customers: A CLEAR lane is available at this checkpoint for standard screening. CLEAR customers with TSA PreCheck MUST use the lane provided for CLEAR on the West Security Checkpoint between the hours of 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Restricted Access for Accessibility/Premium/Employees/Military Traveler Lane: This lane is located near the Southwest corner of the checkpoint.

TSA no longer operates Bridge Security on a regular basis. The A-Bridge and Ansbacher Hall remain open for arriving passengers and employees accessing the Airport Office Building between the hours of 4 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday – Thursday and access all day, Friday – Sunday.

For real-time security wait times and to help select the best checkpoint, passengers can check FlyDenver.com.

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

Parking

Normal operations will continue in the garages and economy lots through April 1, before sections of West Economy lot close for repairs and sections of West Garage Level 1 close for ADA Accessibility updates.

DEN is anticipating the Pikes Peak lot to fill up by end of day Saturday, March 15, at which point the Longs Peak lot will open and will remain open until full. DEN parking will closely monitor parking lots until full and open additional lots to meet high travel demand.

DEN will re-evaluate the need and space availability for Longs Peak and Landside lots as the week goes on. Shuttle service will remain available in all lots during the busy travel period.

Lots may fill sooner or later than we are forecasting, please check https://www.FlyDenver.com/parking-and-transportation/parking-lots/ for the most up-to-date information for DEN Parking Lot availability.

Premium Reserve Parking

Reservations can be made for Premium Reserve Parking as early as 90 days in advance or as soon as five minutes in advance, depending on parking area capacity.

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

Transit

Parking lots at DEN tend to fill up quickly during the holidays. Consider taking the RTD A-line into DEN. View the A-line schedule.

The Bustang Outrider Sterling route now provides Northeastern Coloradans another option to get to and from DEN.  The Sterling to Denver route runs Monday through Friday and stops at Gate 1 of the DEN Hotel Transit Center, near the RTD’s A Line train and other bus stops and has quick access to the main terminal. The Outrider arrives at the airport at 9:35 a.m. and departs to Sterling at 3:07 p.m. View the Bustang Outrider Sterling- Denver schedule.

DEN Travel Assist

DEN Travel Assist brought to you by Airport Butler is a program designed to help travelers navigate DEN efficiently and with ease.

Airport Butler can provide meet and assist services to include, but not limited to, meeting customers curbside, check-in and luggage assistance, navigating TSA security checkpoints or help determining the best ground transportation options for travelers’ journey beyond DEN.

In addition to their meet and assist services at DEN, Airport Butler will offer personalized services including car service reservation, lounge access and other customized options to fit travelers’ unique needs such as personal shopping while waiting at the gate and more.

Travelers needing extra assistance can visit FlyDenver.com/DENTravelAssist to make a reservation.

Before You Leave for the Airport

• Check with your airline to confirm that your flight is on time 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 www.FlyDenver.com.

Picking up Passengers

• Check with your friend or family member’s airline or visit www.FlyDenver.com to confirm that the flight is on time before heading to the airport.
• It’s recommended that those picking up friends and family 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 and beverage options for passengers to enjoy. The most recent include El Chingon, Mizu Sushi-Izakaya, Aviano Coffee, Mister Oso, Bar Dough, Sunset Loop Bar and Grill, ChoLon, Marczyk Fine Foods and Teatulia, and Olive and Finch Grab and Go. Check out all the other amazing offerings at DEN.

Exciting new retail shopping options, featuring unique local and national brands, have landed at DEN! Passengers looking for travel essentials or souvenirs, can visit Bodega DEN and High Land Mercantile, and Johnston & Murphy for their fashion fix.

Passengers with extra time to spare, don’t forget to check out Golf DEN on Concourse A, offering indoor golf, coaching, and state-of-the-art simulators. Families can visit the new children’s play area, which has an outer space and alien theme, a subtle play on DEN’s infamous conspiracy theories, located on Concourse C, near gate C48.

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 by calling 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. and 10:30 p.m. daily.

DEN Lost and Found

Lost an item while traveling through DEN? The airport’s lost and found only receives items lost in public areas of the airport. To file a claim, or learn more, visit FlyDenver.com/ at-the-airport/services-and-amenities/lost-and-found/.

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 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.

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