Denver Layover - 9 Hours

[wadesworld]

I have turned to Scoop prior to travelling before and have received solid advice in the past, so I figured I'd give it another shot.  I'm flying from Milwaukee to San Diego on April 28 and have a 9 hour layover in Denver.  We arrive in Denver at 8:15 AM Denver time and leave Denver at 5:20 PM Denver time.

I have had layovers in Denver before but not for that long, so I've never actually been in Denver beyond the airport.  From what I hear it is about a 45 minute-1 hour long bus ride into downtown Denver form the airport.  Does this seem right?

How busy would the Denver airport be for a 5:20 PM flight?  If we were to leave the airport for a few hours, how far prior to take off would we want to get back to the airport?  I feel like the standard answer is pretty often 2 hours.

All in all, would it be worth it to leave the airport during the layover?  If so, any recommendations for something to do for a few hours?  Any advice as to the best way to get around in Denver (bus, Uber, other forms of public transportation, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I have turned to Scoop prior to travelling before and have received solid advice in the past, so I figured I'd give it another shot.  I'm flying from Milwaukee to San Diego on April 28 and have a 9 hour layover in Denver.  We arrive in Denver at 8:15 AM Denver time and leave Denver at 5:20 PM Denver time.

I have had layovers in Denver before but not for that long, so I've never actually been in Denver beyond the airport.  From what I hear it is about a 45 minute-1 hour long bus ride into downtown Denver form the airport.  Does this seem right?

How busy would the Denver airport be for a 5:20 PM flight?  If we were to leave the airport for a few hours, how far prior to take off would we want to get back to the airport?  I feel like the standard answer is pretty often 2 hours.

All in all, would it be worth it to leave the airport during the layover?  If so, any recommendations for something to do for a few hours?  Any advice as to the best way to get around in Denver (bus, Uber, other forms of public transportation, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I go to Denver all the time as that where family is.  The airport is a good 30 minutes to 40 minutes from anything (in my opinion).  So keep that in mind.  It was built in the middle of nowhere, unlike the old Stapleton Airport which was hit by snow often, but closer to civilization.

That's a really long layover to be in that airport.  I had about a 4 hour layover there last Summer before departing for London, but at least then I connected with my mom and sister and had plenty to talk about.  I'd get out if I could.  Uber just launched there in the last 9 months.  I used it in week 3, it still had some bugs.  I assume by now it is better.

[Benny B]

You are in luck, my friend.  The new RTD light rail line from DIA to Downtown opens April 22nd.  Trains every 15 minutes and under 40 minutes one way.

Security shouldn't be too bad... I've flown out of DIA many a time on a Thursday evening, and unless there was a blizzard the day before, 30-45 minutes to get through security is reasonable.  There are actually two main security checkpoints, north and south (both dump you into the same place), and it is not uncommon for the wait at one to be twice as long as the other, so check out both lines if one seems too long (or check the status monitors inside the airport).  There's also the Skybridge security checkpoint to the A Terminal, but I rarely use that anymore.

As for what to do... I'll leave that for others to recommend.

[mu03eng]

I have turned to Scoop prior to travelling before and have received solid advice in the past, so I figured I'd give it another shot.  I'm flying from Milwaukee to San Diego on April 28 and have a 9 hour layover in Denver.  We arrive in Denver at 8:15 AM Denver time and leave Denver at 5:20 PM Denver time.

I have had layovers in Denver before but not for that long, so I've never actually been in Denver beyond the airport.  From what I hear it is about a 45 minute-1 hour long bus ride into downtown Denver form the airport.  Does this seem right?

How busy would the Denver airport be for a 5:20 PM flight?  If we were to leave the airport for a few hours, how far prior to take off would we want to get back to the airport?  I feel like the standard answer is pretty often 2 hours.

All in all, would it be worth it to leave the airport during the layover?  If so, any recommendations for something to do for a few hours?  Any advice as to the best way to get around in Denver (bus, Uber, other forms of public transportation, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Take the new train that opens in April I think. Definitely go downtown, lots of good places to grab beer and lunch as well as plenty to walk and see.

[NavinRJohnson]

A 9 hour layover?  Who books your travel?

[wadesworld]

You are in luck, my friend.  The new RTD light rail line from DIA to Downtown opens April 22nd.  Trains every 15 minutes and under 40 minutes one way.

Security shouldn't be too bad... I've flown out of DIA many a time on a Thursday evening, and unless there was a blizzard the day before, 30-45 minutes to get through security is reasonable.  There are actually two main security checkpoints, north and south (both dump you into the same place), and it is not uncommon for the wait at one to be twice as long as the other, so check out both lines if one seems too long (or check the status monitors inside the airport).  There's also the Skybridge security checkpoint to the A Terminal, but I rarely use that anymore.

As for what to do... I'll leave that for others to recommend.

Awesome thanks a lot.

And yeah, unfortunately I booked my own flights.  Extremely limited options flying out to San Diego, even from Chicago airports.  Either pay $100 extra plus have to get down to Chicago for a 6 AM flight or fly out of Milwaukee but have a 9 hour layover (or a flight back that has an overnight layover in Denver).

[muwarrior69]

Awesome thanks a lot.

And yeah, unfortunately I booked my own flights.  Extremely limited options flying out to San Diego, even from Chicago airports.  Either pay $100 extra plus have to get down to Chicago for a 6 AM flight or fly out of Milwaukee but have a 9 hour layover (or a flight back that has an overnight layover in Denver).

Couldn't you fly direct to LA? Only a 2hour drive to SD.

[warriorchick]

Awesome thanks a lot.

And yeah, unfortunately I booked my own flights.  Extremely limited options flying out to San Diego, even from Chicago airports.  Either pay $100 extra plus have to get down to Chicago for a 6 AM flight or fly out of Milwaukee but have a 9 hour layover (or a flight back that has an overnight layover in Denver).

You don't think your time is worth  $11 an hour? Please don't tell me you are burning a vacation day on top of that.

[wadesworld]

You don't think your time is worth  $11 an hour? Please don't tell me you are burning a vacation day on top of that.

Not worth it when I've never been to Denver anyways, and the people I'm meeting with out there aren't getting in until 5 SD time and I'd be getting in by like 10 AM. A lot more convenient and a better price. Don't want to hassle someone to drive me down to Chicago leaving at 3 AM. Not worth it.

[Jay Bee]

You don't think your time is worth  $11 an hour? Please don't tell me you are burning a vacation day on top of that.

That's more than he makes an hour. Be nice.

Wads, LoDo is the spot for your day. Definitely leave the airport and get blazed up. Then, the Pirates are playing at the Rockies that afternoon at 1:10pm. I like the ballpark a lot, but more so at night. Nonetheless, if you haven't been, hit the old ball game after blazin the dro.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Vail

[rocky_warrior]

It was built in the middle of nowhere, unlike the old Stapleton Airport which was hit by snow often, but closer to civilization.

Stapleton is about 15 min closer to down town,  but both receive the same weather patterns (i.e. - they're both in the high plains).  Don't get me wrong, I still hate that DEN is so much farther from town, but snow is not the difference -- unless you're counting global warming (Oops political board).

[Benny B]

I don't know what airline you're flying, but before heading downtown, it might be worth checking to see if there's an earlier flight to SD shortly after you arrive.  Go to the gate, ask if you can standby, and if there's an open seat, go spend your "layover" in Old Town instead.

Too bad you can't just get a direct flight to Tijuana, eh-nah?

[rocky_warrior]

And if you don't get out of the airport - take the train between terminals (even out of security and back in) for a tour of local spots...

Brunch & Drinks @ Root Down in Terminal C
Lunch & Drinks @ Elway's in Terminal B
Happy Hour @ Boulder Beer Tap House in the main Terminal (by baggage claim, outside security)
Early Dinner & Drinks @ Denver ChopHouse in Terminal A

If you don't leave security (you can visit A, B & C without leaving security), it's only a few minutes between terminals on the train (tram...).  Security is probably about 20min...but check the website.  And remember, even if you take the Terminal A sky bridge security, you can still get to B & C on the train.

And if you're not a beer guy (there's lots of local beers at those joints), local spirits include: Stranahan's whiskey, Breckenridge Whiskey & Vodka, Leopold Brothers spirits (all of them), Laws Whiskey, Dancing Pine spirits (all of them), Bear Creek Distillery...just my short list (though not in order, and don't know what places in the airport might have).

On the booze angle - buy a wine shipper, get an Uber to Argonaut Wine & Liquor in Denver, and buy something from all of the above, adding bombers from Copper Kettle, Epic, and Crooked Stave - and then check it in as an extra bag for your next flight, to impress all your buddies in SD.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Stapleton is about 15 min closer to down town,  but both receive the same weather patterns (i.e. - they're both in the high plains).  Don't get me wrong, I still hate that DEN is so much farther from town, but snow is not the difference -- unless you're counting global warming (Oops political board).

Correct me if I am wrong, but in my numerous visits out there the locales told me one of the reasons for moving it out to where they did was due to fewer snow issues.  I can't tell you how many people have told me that, but if that isn't the case it would be good to know.  Obviously there were many other reasons, including size, capacity, etc. 

Most of my time is spent in Parker, Downtown, Castle Rock and Cherry Creek. 

[rocky_warrior]

Correct me if I am wrong, but in my numerous visits out there the locales told me one of the reasons for moving it out to where they did was due to fewer snow issues.  I can't tell you how many people have told me that, but if that isn't the case it would be good to know.  Obviously there were many other reasons, including size, capacity, etc. 

Most of my time is spent in Parker, Downtown, Castle Rock and Cherry Creek.

I've honestly never heard this "snow" angle...so I googled it, and the best I can find is "inadequate separation between runways, leading to extremely long waits in bad weather".  I guess maybe that could be interpreted as "snow issues", but I think high wind would really be the driver for runways that are too close together. 

[4everwarriors]

May just wanna hang in da airport and catch a nap on da floor like one of them homeless dudes. Or, bring yo walkin' New Balance's and speed walk like an old fart in Mayfair, hey?

[keefe]

I've honestly never heard this "snow" angle...so I googled it, and the best I can find is "inadequate separation between runways, leading to extremely long waits in bad weather".  I guess maybe that could be interpreted as "snow issues", but I think high wind would really be the driver for runways that are too close together.

This wasn't about snow. I went through the nuke weapons course at Lowry when Pena was mayor and the new airport was a major boondoggle for a number of Pena supporters. Stapleton was perfectly fine and its infrastructure could have been upgraded for a fraction of the cost.

A lot of people made a LOT of money off of the new airport deal. Anyone who thinks this was anything but a way to move public money into private hands is naive.

[keefe]

I have turned to Scoop prior to travelling before and have received solid advice in the past, so I figured I'd give it another shot.  I'm flying from Milwaukee to San Diego on April 28 and have a 9 hour layover in Denver.  We arrive in Denver at 8:15 AM Denver time and leave Denver at 5:20 PM Denver time.

I have had layovers in Denver before but not for that long, so I've never actually been in Denver beyond the airport.  From what I hear it is about a 45 minute-1 hour long bus ride into downtown Denver form the airport.  Does this seem right?

How busy would the Denver airport be for a 5:20 PM flight?  If we were to leave the airport for a few hours, how far prior to take off would we want to get back to the airport?  I feel like the standard answer is pretty often 2 hours.

All in all, would it be worth it to leave the airport during the layover?  If so, any recommendations for something to do for a few hours?  Any advice as to the best way to get around in Denver (bus, Uber, other forms of public transportation, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Grab a cab and head over to East Colfax. A man can find many diversions there.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Get high as F.

The rest of y'all are lame as hell.

[Benny B]

Get high as F.

The rest of y'all are lame as hell.

Hence, my deference to others.

[JWags85]

Grab a cab and head over to East Colfax. A man can find many diversions there.

While on Colfax, swing by Casa Bonita.  Its a magical place.

[rocket surgeon]

   might as well find some "weed" and kick back.  they have all kinds so maybe they could suggest something...maybe the nine hour time release-eyn'a

[GooooMarquette]

   might as well find some "weed" and kick back.  they have all kinds so maybe they could suggest something...maybe the nine hour time release-eyn'a

And then he wouldn't care if he missed his connection.

[Jay Bee]

Grab a cab and head over to East Colfax. A man can find many diversions there.

Wonderful street. Although Kitty's East is closed now.