So you just landed at Denvers airport, you got your bags, and now you’re thinking, where is the rental car lot located at Denver Airport? If your looking around the main terminal (the big one with the tent roof, called Jeppesen Terminal) you wont find it.
This is probly the number one thing that confuses people when they get here. You cant just walk to your car.
The rental car lots at DIA (which is what people call Denver International Airport) are not attached to the terminal. They are all in their own seperate area a few miles away. You have to take a shuttle bus to get to them. Every single one of them.
It sounds like a pain, and it kinda is, but once you know where your going its not too bad. A lot of peoples get lost looking for the rental counters inside, but the main counters arent even really there anymore for most companies. You just need to find the shuttle.
Finding the Rental Car Shuttles at DIA
This is the most important part. You need to be on Level 5. This is the same level as baggage claim.
After you grab your luggage, you need to head outside. You’ll see big doors with numbers on them.
You are looking for Island 4.
The airport is split into two sides, East and West. It doesn’t really matter which side you go to, becuase the shuttles stop at both.
- Terminal East Side (Doors 505-513): Look for Island 4
- Terminal West Side (Doors 504-512): Look for Island 4
When you get to Island 4, you’ll see signs for “Rental Car Shuttles.” Each rental company has its own branded bus. So if you rented from Hertz, you wait for the Hertz bus. If you rented from Avis, you wait for the Avis bus. They come by pretty often, usually every 10 or 15 minutes.
The ride over to the rental car facilities takes about 10 minutes. They’re all pretty much in the same area, just in different buildings.
Which Car Rental Companies Are At the Airport?
When we say “at the airport” we mean the ones that have their own shuttles from Island 4. These are the major ones.
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Fox
- Hertz
- National
- Payless
- Sixt
- Thrifty
If you rented from a different company, like a super cheap one you found online, they might be “off-site” from the airport. This means you might have to take the main rental car shuttle (or a different shuttle) to the rental car center and then call that company for another shuttle. Its very important you check your reservation to see what the pickup instructions are. It can save you a huge headache.
The Process of Picking Up Your Car
Once the shuttel drops you off, you’ll go inside the rental facility for your company. This is where you’ll ether stand in line to talk to an agent or, if your lucky, you can use a self-service kiosk.
If you signed up for the rental company’s rewards program (like Hertz Gold or National Emerald Club), you can often skip the counter entirely. Your name will be on a board, and it’ll tell you which row your car is in. You just go out, find a car in that row, and drive to the exit gate. This is definately the fastest way.
If you have to wait in line, be prepared. Sometime, especially during ski season or on holidays, the lines can be really long. It can take an hour or more just to get your keys. You gotta be patient, which is hard after a long flight.
What About Returning The Car?
Returning your car is kinda the same thing, just backwards.
When your driving back to the airport, dont follow the signs for “Departures” or “Arrivals.” You need to look for the signs on Peña Boulevard (thats the main road into the airport) that say “Rental Car Return”.
These signs will take you to the same big lots where you picked the car up. Each company has its own return lane. Just follow the signs for your company (like “Enterprise Return”).
An employee will come out and scan your car, check the gas, and give you a receipt. It’s usually pretty fast.
After you drop off the car, you grab your bags and look for the shuttle bus stop. The same buses that brought you there will take you back to the terminal. They will drop you off on Level 5, right where you started. Then you just go inside and go up to Level 6 for check-in and security.
Big Tip: Make sure you give yourself plenty of extra time when your returning your car. You have to drive to the lot, drop off the car, wait for the shuttle, and then ride the shuttle back to the terminal. I would add at least 45 minutes to your normal airport time, just to be safe. You dont want to miss your flight because the shuttle was slow.
Is Renting a Car Even the Best Idea?
Okay, so now you know where the rental car lot is. But here’s a question… do you really need one?
A lot of peoples just rent a car cause its what they always do. But in Denver, especially if your going to the mountains, it might be more trouble than its worth.
Why You Might Want to Skip the Rental Car
- Mountain Driving: Are you ready to drive in a blizzard? Seriously. The roads to the mountains (like I-70) can get really bad, really fast. We’re talking snow, ice, and sometimes the road just closes. If your not used to driving in heavy snow, it can be scary and dangerous.
- Traction Laws: When it snows, Colorado has a “Traction Law.” This means your car has to have special tires (M+S or snow tires) or be 4WD/AWD. Most rental cars, even the SUVs, often come with “All-Season” tires which might not be good enough. You could get a huge fine if you dont have the right tires.
- Parking: If your staying at a ski resort like Winter Park, Breckenridge, or Vail, parking is crazy expensive. Hotels can charge $50 a night or more. The car will just sit there while you ski.
- The Hassle: Like we just talked about… landing, getting bags, waiting for a shuttle, riding the shuttle, waiting in line, getting the car… its a lot. And you have to do it all again when you leave.
An Easier Way: A Private Shuttle
So what do you do instead?
For a lot of trips, especialy ski trips, a pre-booked shuttle is way, way easier. And this is where a service like Winter Wagon comes in.
Instead of all that rental car drama, a private shuttle is simple.
- You book it ahead of time.
- When you land and get your bags, your driver is waiting for you.
- They help you with your luggage.
- You get into a comfortable, private van or SUV that is already equiped for mountain driving.
- They drive you directly to the door of your hotel or condo. No stops.
There’s no shuttles to find, no lines to wait in, and no worrying about driving on icy mountain roads. You can just relax, look at the views, and get your vacation started.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Renting a Car | Winter Wagon Shuttle |
|---|---|---|
| Pickup Process | Wait for shuttle, ride shuttle, wait in line, get car. (30-90 mins) | Meet driver, get in private car. (5-10 mins) |
| Mountain Driving | You have to do it. Stressful in bad weather. | Professional driver handles it. |
| Vehicle | Might not have snow tires. Might not be AWD. | Professional fleet with proper tires and 4WD. |
| Cost | Daily rate + gas + insurance + parking fees. | One flat fee. Often cheaper for groups. |
| Convenience | You have a car, but parking is a pain. | Door-to-door service. No parking fees. |
When a Rental Car Makes Sense
A rental car is not always a bad idea. A rental might be better if:
- You are staying in Denver and want to explore the city.
- You are visiting in the summer and plan to drive to lots of different places (like multiple national parks).
- You are a very confident winter driver and you found a really good deal.
But if your main goal is to get from Denver Airport to a ski resort like Winter Park, Breckenridge, Vail, or Steamboat, a rental car is probably not your best bet.
So next time your flying into DIA and wondering “where is the rental car lot”, just remember its a shuttle ride away. And then ask yourself if you’d rather be hopping on that shuttle or hopping into a warm, private car that’s taking you straight to the mountains.