So you just landed in Denver and wow its a big airport. You are problably tired from the flight and just want to get your car and get going to the mountains or downtown or wherever it is your headed. The biggest question most people have when they land at DIA which is what locals call the airport is where to rent cars inside Denver airport?
It seems like a simple question right? You walk off the plane and expect to see a row of counters right there near the baggage claim with all the big names like Hertz and Enterprise and Budget. But here is the thing about Denver International Airport. It is massive and things aren’t always exactly where you think they would be.
The Short Answer
To be super honest with you right off the bat you actually cant rent cars inside the terminal at Denver Airport.
I know that sounds annoying and it kind of is. There used to be counters in airports back in the day where you just walked up and grabbed your keys but Denver is way to busy for that now. So if your looking for the counters right next to the baggage claim carousel your going to be looking for a long time cause they arent there.
All the rental car companies are located at separate facilities that are on the airport grounds but they are not in the main building where you get your bags. You have to take a shuttle bus to get to them.
So how do I get to the rental cars?
Okay so since you cant just walk to the car from the gate here is exactly what you have to do. Its a bit of a process so stick with me here.
First when you get off the plane your actually in the concourses. These are the long hallways with all the gates. You have to take the train to get to the main terminal. The train is pretty fast and it comes every few minutes so you wont wait long. You want to get off at the stop that says “Terminal / Baggage Claim”. Everyone gets off there so just follow the crowd.
Once you get off the train you go up the escalators and you will be in the main big open area with the white tent roof. This is the Jeppesen Terminal. You need to head to Level 5.
Level 5 is where the baggage claim is. Even if you didnt check a bag you still have to go here because this is where the doors are to get outside to the shuttles.
Now here is where it gets a little confusing for some folks. The terminal is split into two sides.
- Terminal East
- Terminal West
It usually depends on what airline you flew in on. For example if you flew United your usually on the West side but if you flew Southwest your on the East side. It doesnt really matter which side your on though because the rental car shuttles pick up from both sides.
You need to look for Island 4.
When you walk outside the doors on Level 5 you will see different lanes of traffic. These are called Islands. The first ones are for taxis and ubers and picking up friends. You need to cross the street to the fourth island.
There will be signs that say “Rental Car Shuttles”. Just wait there.
What companies are at the airport?
Pretty much all the major rental car companies have a location at DIA. They are all clustered together in an area along a road called 78th Avenue which is just a few miles from the main terminal.
Here is a list of the companies you will see shuttles for:
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Fox
- Hertz
- National
- Payless
- Sixt
- Thrifty
You have to make sure you get on the right bus. The buses are branded so you cant miss them. If you rented from Hertz look for the yellow bus. If you rented from Enterprise look for the green one. Sometimes they share buses like Alamo and National often use the same one so just ask the driver if your not sure.
The Shuttle Ride Experience
The ride from the terminal to the rental car lots takes about 10 minutes depending on traffic. Sometimes if its super busy or snowing it might take a little longer.
You should know that you have to haul your own luggage onto these buses. Some of the drivers are super nice and will help you lift your bags but mostly your on your own. If you have ski bags or snowboards it can be a bit of a hassle trying to squeeze them onto the racks in the bus especially if the bus is packed with other people.
Once you get to the lot you have to get off, get your bags again, and go stand in line at the counter.
To be real with you this is the part that most people hate. After a long flight the last thing you want to do is stand in another line. During peak times like Christmas or Spring Break the lines at these rental counters can be insane. I have seen lines wrapping out the door. It can take an hour or more just to talk to an agent and get your keys.
Is there a better way?
This is where I tell you a little bit about us and why we started Winter Wagon. We saw how crazy the rental car situation was at Denver Airport and we wanted to do something different.
We are not like the big corporate rental agencies. We are a smaller local team and we focus on getting people to the mountains safely.
You see a lot of the cars you rent from those big lots are just standard cars. They might have all season tires if your lucky but a lot of them dont have the right tires for winter driving in Colorado. And if your heading up to Vail or Breckenridge or Steamboat you really need good tires.
At Winter Wagon we offer two main things:
- Private Shuttles: We can just pick you up at the airport and drive you straight to your hotel or condo. You dont have to worry about driving or directions or snow.
- Winter Ready Rentals: If you do want to drive yourself we have specific vehicles that are set up for the snow. We use winter tires and our vehicles are checked to make sure they can handle the mountain passes.
The best part is we can often arrange to have the car waiting for you or bring it to you so you can skip that nightmare line at the rental counter. Or you can take our shuttle to the mountains and then rent a car from us just for the days you need it in town. It saves you money so your not paying for a rental car while it just sits parked at your hotel.
Tips for Renting Cars at DIA
If you do decide to go with one of the big agencies at the airport here are some tips to make it a little less painful.
1. Join the Loyalty Program Seriously do this. Almost every major company like Hertz or National has a free loyalty club. If your a member you can usually skip the counter. You just walk straight to the garage and your name is on a board and you pick a car and go. It saves so much time. If you dont join you will be stuck in that hour long line inside.
2. Check for Tolls Denver has a toll road called E-470. Its a highway that goes around the city and leads right to the airport. A lot of GPS apps will route you onto it because its faster. The problem is its all electronic. There are no booths to pay cash. The rental car companies love to charge you huge fees if you use it. They will charge you the toll plus a “convenience fee” of like $15 or $25 per day. It adds up fast. Ask the agent about their toll policy or bring your own transponder if you have one that works in Colorado. Or just set your GPS to “Avoid Tolls” if you want to save money.
3. Inspect the Tires I cant stress this enough. If you are driving into the mountains between September and May you need to check the tires. Colorado has a thing called the Traction Law. It means when it snows you are required to have either 4WD/AWD or specific snow tires or chains. A lot of rental cars at the airport just have basic tires. Before you drive off the lot look at the sidewall of the tire. You want to see the little symbol of a mountain with a snowflake inside it or at least “M+S” (Mud and Snow). If the tires look bald or worn out ask for a different car. Its not worth risking your safety on I-70.
4. Gas Stations near the airport When you bring the car back you usually have to return it full of gas. There are a few gas stations on the way back to the airport on Peña Boulevard (that’s the main highway to the airport). There is a big gas station and convenience store right near the rental car center called the “Final Approach”. Its a good spot to fill up and grab a snack. Just know that gas prices there can be a little higher than in the city but its convenient.
Why Location Matters
The reason why everyone asks “Where to rent cars inside Denver Airport” is because of convenience. We all want things to be easy. But the design of DIA just doesnt allow for cars to be parked right next to the terminal.
The airport is actually huge. Its one of the biggest in the world by land area. They moved the rental cars out to keep traffic away from the main terminal which gets super congested.
So while it is an extra step to take the shuttle it does help keep the main pickup area a little less chaotic. Although if you have ever been to Island 4 when 5 buses show up at once it still feels pretty chaotic!
The Walk from Baggage Claim
Let me break down the walk again because people get lost here alot. You grab your bag. You see the signs for “Ground Transportation”. You walk out the sliding glass doors. Your not done yet. Your now on a sidewalk with a roof over it. You have to walk across the crosswalk. WATCH OUT FOR CARS. People drive crazy there. You walk to the next island. Thats Island 2. Keep going. Island 3. Keep going. Island 4. Stop here. Look up at the signs. Find the logo of the company you rented from. Stand there and wait.
And dress warm! In the winter it is freezing on that island. The wind whips right through there. If you just came from Florida or somewhere warm do yourself a favor and put your jacket on before you go outside. I see people standing there in shorts and flip flops shivering and its just miserable.
A Note on “Off-Airport” Rentals
Sometimes you might see a deal on a website for a rental car that is super cheap but the location says “Off Airport”. Be careful with these. While the main companies are technically “off airport” because you take a shuttle, there are some smaller sketchier companies that are WAY off airport. Like 10 miles away. These companies might have a shuttle that only runs once an hour. Or they might ask you to take an Uber to get to them. If the price seems to good to be true it probably is. Stick to the main brands or a trusted local service like Winter Wagon. You dont want to be stranded in a random parking lot in Aurora trying to find your rental agency.
Driving in Colorado
If this is your first time driving in Colorado there are a few things you should know. The altitude is real. Not just for you but for the car. Cars actually have less power at high altitude because the air is thinner. So if you rent a tiny little economy car and try to drive it up a steep mountain pass it might struggle. You have to push the gas pedal harder than your used to.
Also the weather changes super fast. It can be sunny and 50 degrees in Denver and then an hour later your in a blizzard on the pass. You have to be prepared. Keep your gas tank at least half full. If you get stuck in traffic on I-70 due to an accident (which happens alot) you do not want to run out of gas while your idling in the cold.
Summary
So to wrap this up and answer your question again: No you cannot rent cars inside the terminal. You have to go to Level 5, go to Island 4, and take the shuttle. Its a bit of a hassle but its the only way to do it for the big companies.
If you want to skip the hassle give us a shout at Winter Wagon. We would love to help you get to the mountains without the stress of the rental car shuffle. We know these roads better than anyone and we want you to have an awesome trip.
Traveling is stressful enough without having to worry about where your car is. Just plan ahead give yourself extra time and breathe. You are in Colorado now and its beautiful here so try to enjoy the views even if your stuck on a shuttle bus for a few minutes.
Safe travels and hopefully we see you on the slopes!
Note: All shuttles pick up from both East and West sides of the terminal.