So you are planning a trip to Colorado and you have a huge group of people coming with you which is awesome but also kinda stressful because now you have to figure out how to move everyone around. When you land at Denver International Airport or DIA as we locals call it you are gonna be looking for a ride and if you have like 10 or 12 or even 15 people with you then a regular uber or lyft just isnt gonna cut it. You need a big vehicle and thats where the 15 passenger van comes in handy. But finding one that is actually good and safe for the mountains is a whole other story and i want to walk you through exactly where to rent a 15 passenger van at Denver Airport and why it matters who you rent from.
The Usual Suspects at the Airport
When you walk out of the terminal at Denver Airport and you go to the level 5 island 4 usually to catch the shuttle buses you will see all the big names. You have Enterprise and Hertz and Avis and Budget and they all have huge lots way out in the fields surrounding the airport. It takes a while to get there on the shuttle and sometimes the lines are super long especially during the holidays or spring break.
Now these companies do have 15 passenger vans sometimes but you have to be really careful because they dont always guarantee the specific vehicle. You might book a 15 passenger van and show up and they say oh sorry we only have two minivans left is that okay. And if you have 14 people and luggage that is definetly not okay. The other thing with the big rental agencies is the tires. This is something people from out of town dont always think about but in Colorado the tires are everything.
Most of the big rental companies keep “all season” tires on their fleets because they move cars around the country. A van might be in Florida last week and now its in Denver. Those tires are okay for dry pavement but if you are heading up I-70 to go skiing in Vail or Breckenridge or Aspen you are gonna want real snow tires or at least really good all terrains. Driving a big heavy 15 passenger van on ice with bad tires is honestly scary and I would not reccomend it to anyone who isnt used to it.
Why Winter Wagon is Different
This is where we come in and i know i am bias because i am writing this for Winter Wagon but honestly we started this because we saw a huge gap in what was being offered. We focus specifically on vehicles that are ready for the mountains. If you are looking for where to rent a 15 passenger van Denver Airport we are a really solid option because we treat it differently than the big box places.
First of all we dont make you stand in a huge line at a counter while someone types on a computer for twenty minutes. We try to make it more like a private service where we can meet you or have the car ready so you can just get in and go. We know that when you land you just want to get to your condo or hotel and start your vacation not hang out in a rental car lobby smelling like stale coffee.
But the biggest thing is the tires. We put studded snow tires or heavy duty winter tires on our large vans because we know where you are going. You arent renting a 15 passenger van to drive to the grocery store down the street you are renting it to go up a mountain pass that might be covered in snow. Having those studded tires makes a massive difference in how the van handles and stops. Stopping is the most important part. Getting going is easy but stopping a 6,000 pound van with 15 people in it on a slick road requires good grip.
The Space Issue
One thing you have to remember about 15 passenger vans is that if you actually put 15 people in them there is basicaly no room for luggage. The Ford Transits we use are great and they have high roofs so you can stand up inside which is super nice for changing into ski boots or just stretching out but the space in the back is limited if every seat is taken.
If you have 15 people and everyone has a suitcase and a ski bag you might actually need a trailer or a second vehicle or you need to look at our luggage options. We usually tell people that a 15 passenger van is comfortable for like 10 to 12 people with luggage. If you fill every seat you are gonna be holding bags on your laps and that is miserable for a two hour drive to the mountains.
Driving a Big Van
If you have never driven a 15 passenger van before it is a bit different than driving a sedan or even a suburban. You are long and you are tall. The wind catches these vans on the highway so you have to keep two hands on the wheel. When you are driving from the airport out to the mountains you will be on I-70 and it gets windy near Idaho Springs and the Eisenhower Tunnel. You just have to take it slow and dont let anyone pressure you into driving faster than you feel comfortable.
Also the turns are wider. You cant just whip into a parking spot you have to swing it out a little bit. Its not hard it just takes a few minutes to get used to. And backing up can be tricky so make sure you use the mirrors and the backup camera and have someone jump out and spot you if you are in a tight spot. It is better to look a little silly having someone guide you than to back into a pilar or another car.
Other Local Options
If for some reason we are sold out which happens a lot during Christmas and Spring Break there are a few other local places you can look. There is a place called MileMarker and sometimes they have vans. There are also some app based rentals like Turo but you have to be really careful with Turo because you are renting someone’s personal car and you dont always know the maintenance history. With a commercial fleet like ours or even the big guys there is a maintenance schedule. With a personal car you are trusting that the owner changed the brakes and checked the tires.
Also with Turo you usually have to arrange a pickup in a parking lot somewhere and the shuttle to get there might not be straight forward. At the airport convenience is key. You dont want to be dragging your family and ten bags across three different shuttles just to find a van that smells like wet dog.
What to Look for in a Rental
When you are comparing where to rent a 15 passenger van Denver Airport keep a list of things to check.
- Tires: Ask specifically if they have snow tires or mud and snow rated tires. If they say “all season” just be aware that means “three season” usually.
- Roof Height: Low roof vans are a pain because you have to hunch over to get to the back seats. High roof vans like the ones we usually have let you walk upright.
- Mileage: Some places charge by the mile. We usually include mileage but verify this so you dont get a huge bill at the end.
- Hours: Some of the smaller local places are not open 24/7. If your flight lands at midnight make sure they have a way to get you the keys.
Here is a quick comparison of what you might find.
| Feature | Winter Wagon | Big Box Rental (Hertz/Enterprise) | Peer-to-Peer (Turo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | Studded/Winter Specific | Often All-Season | Varies by owner |
| Service | Meet & Greet / Personal | Shuttle to Lot / Counter Line | Shuttle to Parking Lot |
| Guaranteed Model | Yes usually | Class varies (might get minivan) | Yes specific car |
| Support | Call us directly | 1-800 number hold times | Message owner in app |
The Drive to the Mountains
Once you get your van the drive is beautiful but serious. From DIA you take Pena Boulevard to I-70 West. It is pretty flat until you get past Golden and then you start climbing into the foothills. This is where you will be glad you have a turbo charged engine which most of the modern Ford Transits have. The old chevy express vans are tough but they struggle at altitude sometimes.
As you go up you will pass the buffalo herd lookout which is cool if you want to stop for a second. Then you hit the twisty parts. Just stay in the right lane if you are going slow. There is no shame in being the slow van in the right lane with the flashers on if it is snowing hard. The locals in their subarus will zoom past you and that is fine let them go. Your job is to get your 15 people to the condo safely.
If you are going to Winter Park you will get off at Exit 232 and go over berthoud pass. This is a steep and winding pass and it is infamous for being tricky in a storm. This is where those studded tires I mentioned earlier really pay for themselves. If you are going to Vail or Breckenridge you stay on I-70 and go through the Eisenhower Tunnel which is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world or something like that. It is really high up. When you come out the other side it is all downhill and you need to watch your speed so you dont burn up the brakes. Downshift the van to a lower gear to let the engine help slow you down.
So yeah that is the lowdown on renting a big van at DIA. It is the best way to keep your group together and it is usually cheaper than renting three seperate suvs. Plus road tripping together is fun you can play games and listen to music and look at the mountains.
Just make sure you rent from someone who knows the conditions and preps the vehicle correctly. Do not settle for bald tires or a van that makes weird noises. You are carrying precious cargo your family and friends so safety has to be number one.
If you are ready to get a quote or just want to ask us some questions about the vans or the drive just reach out to us. We are happy to help you figure out the logistics even if you dont end up renting from us we want you to be safe on the roads.
Would you like me to help you draft a quote request email for your upcoming trip?