How To Get Between Gates at Denver International Airport [DEN]

Denver International Airport (DEN) opened in 1995, replacing Stapleton International Airport, and has since grown into a major hub for both domestic and international travel.

United, Southwest, and Frontier depend on it as a key hub, and these 3 airlines account for over 86% of the airport’s annual traffic of 82 million passengers.

Denver International Airport Layout

Despite being the largest airport in the U.S. (by area), DEN is relatively easy to navigate. The airport’s spaciousness and efficient layout allow for smooth operations and continuous expansion. In October 2024, 5 new gates and 9 remodeled gates opened at A Gates for use by Frontier.

You can’t miss DEN’s Jeppesen Terminal, with its tent-like roof, designed to resemble the snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains. The terminal serves as the primary hub for passenger check-in, security screening, and baggage claim.

Spanning over 1.5 million square feet, Jeppesen Terminal is divided into 2 sides: the west side, primarily used by United and various international airlines, and the east side, serving Southwest, American, Frontier, and a few others.

Once passengers have cleared the security checkpoint, they proceed to one of the 3 departure concourses (Gates A, B, or C) for their flight.

Hot Tip:

For information on facilities, parking, airport lounges, ground transportation, and more, check out our terminal guide for Denver International Airport.

Ground Transportation After Security at DEN

Automated Guideway Train System

All departure concourses at DEN are accessible from Jeppesen Terminal. Currently, passengers must clear the western or southern security checkpoints to access the secure area, with an eastern checkpoint currently under construction.

Once inside the secure area, passengers departing from Gates B or C need to ride the underground airport train, as there are no pedestrian passages. Passengers departing from Gate A can either take the train or walk across the pedestrian bridge, which features moving walkways and scenic views of the tarmac.

The maximum train travel time from Jeppesen Terminal to Gate C is 10 minutes, with trains departing every couple of minutes. Travel times between the terminal and Gates A or B are shorter.

Trains arrive and depart from Jeppesen Terminal on level 4.

Walking

While not all routes at DEN are walkable, these are the estimated walking times for the areas that you can walk between:

• Jeppesen Terminal to Gate A (1,130 feet): 5 minutes
• Full length of Gate A (4,000 feet): 20 minutes
• Full length of Gate B (4,545 feet): 23 minutes
• Full length of Gate C (3,335 feet): 17 minutes

Hot Tip:

There are no walking routes or transportation modes operating outside the secure area between concourses. If you need to collect luggage between flight connections, you must reclear security and ride the underground train to your onward connection.

Jeppesen Terminal

Facilities and services at Jeppesen Terminal are split across 6 levels.

Level 1 Transit Center

The transit center is at the south end of Jeppesen Terminal, providing access to the RTD Train Station, RTD bus stops, and access to the eastern and western garages.

Level 2 Parking

Lower-level parking is accessible in the eastern and western garages.

Level 3 Parking

Upper-level parking is accessible in the eastern and western garages.

Level 4 Arrivals

Level 4 is within the secure area and provides access to the automated guideway train system for travel between the terminal and the concourses. Passengers must have cleared security to access this area of the terminal.

Outside the secure area, level 4 is for curbside passenger pickup.

Level 5 Baggage Claim

Passengers arriving on preclearance or domestic flights into Gates B or C can ride the underground train to the terminal. Take the elevator or escalator to level 5 for baggage claim.

Passengers on international flight arrivals are directed to customs and immigration for processing before proceeding into the general arrivals area.

There’s an international baggage recheck counter just after customs for passengers connecting to onward flights. Once your luggage has been rechecked, make your way to either of the security checkpoints to reenter the secure area.

The southern security checkpoint is on level 5, as is the entrance to the Westin Denver International Airport.

Ground transportation services, including taxis and shuttles, are available outside the eastern and western sides of the terminal.

Hot Tip:

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Level 6 Check-In

Check-in counters for all airlines are on level 6, along with a couple of coffee shops. The western security checkpoint is on level 6 at the terminal’s northern end. Curbside drop-off is on this level.

Gate A

Gate A is the closest concourse to the terminal, connected by a pedestrian bridge on level 6 and the underground train on level 4.

The concourse is approximately 4,000 feet long and has 50 gates numbered A14 to A84. Facing north as you come up the escalators, gates A14 to A39 are to the left, and gates A40 to A84 are to the right. Gates A54 to A84 are on level 1 at the far end of the concourse.

There are several moving walkways along the concourse, apart from between gates A14 and A34. Electric carts are available on request for those with mobility issues.

Shops and restaurants run along the length of the concourse, with a cluster of them in the central area. A rest and recharge area and Capital One Lounge are on the level 3 mezzanine, and there’s a United Club near gate A25.

Gate B

United solely operates flights from Gate B’s 77 gates. When you look north, gates B7 to B37 are to the left, and gates B38a to B95 are to the right. Gates B80 to B95 are at the far end of the concourse on level 1, accessible via an underground walkway.

A food court and shops are in the central area of the concourse, with more concessions on the mezzanine. An outdoor deck is at the far west end, and there’s a United Club near gate B45 and a United Club Fly “Lite” Lounge between gates B61 and B63. Moving walkways are available for mostly the full length of the concourse.

To reach Gate B from Jeppesen Terminal or from either of the other concourses, passengers must ride the underground train. It’s not possible to walk to Gate B.

Gate C

Gate C is the farthest concourse from Jeppesen Terminal and is only accessible by riding the underground train. There are 44 gates numbered C23 to C67, with C23 to C39 to the left and C40 to C67 to the right.

There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants throughout the concourse and an outdoor deck at the far eastern end. An Admirals Club and Centurion Lounge are on level 3.

Flight Connections at DEN

Thanks to its well-designed layout, connecting to a flight at DEN is a smooth process. For domestic to domestic or domestic to international connections, passengers may remain inside the secure area between flights. This applies to passengers with carry-on luggage only or passengers with luggage checked through to their final destination.

Passengers arriving from an international destination need to collect their luggage and clear customs and immigration upon arrival at DEN. Head to the luggage recheck counter just after customs before proceeding to the security checkpoint for access to your connecting concourse.

If you’ve booked 2 flights on separate tickets, you need to retrieve your checked luggage at DEN and head to the main check-in counters to check in or drop off your bag for your next flight.

Once inside the secure area, connecting passengers can access their concourse via the methods mentioned earlier in this article.

Accessibility

Denver International Airport is designed to be accessible for all travelers and offers a range of services for passengers with disabilities or mobility challenges. The airport features elevators, ramps, and wide walkways for passengers to navigate to and from their flights.

Airlines provide wheelchair assistance, and the underground train provides step-free access between terminals and concourses. Electric carts are also available on request.

Final Thoughts

DEN is centrally located in the U.S. and provides convenient layovers for passengers traveling coast to coast. The airport’s straightforward layout has been designed to efficiently handle the high volume of connecting flights it receives daily.

It’s a shame the airport didn’t incorporate underground walkways through to Gates B and C as a backup to the underground train. Thankfully, the train has only broken down a handful of times since it opened in 1995, but when it does happen, it causes severe disruption to operations.

Proposals to build bridges to Gates B and C are currently being considered but have yet to be confirmed. Whether it’s via pedestrian bridges, underground tunnels, or enhancing the capacity of the current train system, DEN will need to find a solution to accommodate the growing passenger traffic from the 100 extra gates planned by 2045.