Denver International Airport Short-Term Parking Rates 2026

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Denver International Airport short-term parking is hourly parking located in the East and West Garages, directly connected to the Jeppesen Terminal, with rates of $7 per hour and a daily maximum of $35. That makes it the most convenient but not the cheapest option at DEN. These garages are best for quick drop-offs, pickups, and stays of a few hours. For longer stays, cheaper on-airport and off-airport alternatives save real money.

• Hourly rate: $7 per hour in the East and West Garages (checked October 2026 against DEN's published parking data)
• Daily cap: $35/day maximum in the East and West Garages, with a 7-minute grace period
• Cheapest on-airport options: the 61st and Peña Lot at $8/day (no shuttle, train only) and the Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot at $10/day with a free shuttle. The Longs Peak Shuttle Lot is currently closed
• Two off-airport options on Triply: Embassy Suites Denver Airport, the cheapest at about $6/day plus an $8 round-trip shuttle fee, and Park2Jet Denver at about $9/day with a 24/7 shuttle. Triply rates are for a 7-day stay booked ahead and change by date
• Premium Reserve parking on Arrivals Level 4 is $45/day, reservation only, plus a $5 service fee per reservation
• Payment methods: Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and the ParkDEN app

Ready to compare DEN parking side by side? Browse off-airport Denver parking on Triply, from about $9/day with a 24/7 shuttle, and lock in your spot before you fly.

How Much Does Short-Term Parking Cost at Denver International Airport?

Short-term parking at DEN costs $7 per hour, with a daily maximum of $35, per the Denver Department of Aviation's official parking page (checked October 2026). This rate applies to both the East Garage and West Garage, which sit directly beside the Jeppesen Terminal. The garages list a 7-minute grace period, after which the hourly rate applies.

For short visits of two to three hours ($14 to $21), the East or West Garage is hard to beat for sheer convenience. You walk directly into the terminal without a shuttle. But once you pass five hours, you'll hit the $35 daily cap. At that point, other options become more competitive.

DEN Short-Term Parking Rate Tiers (East & West Garages)

All rates are based on DEN's published parking data (checked October 2026). EV charging is available in the garages at no additional cost, and standard parking rates apply.

What Are the Hourly and Daily Rate Tiers for DEN Short-Term Parking?

The East and West Garages charge a flat $7 per hour with no tiered hourly discount. You pay the same rate whether you're in the first hour or the fifth. The daily cap of $35 kicks in automatically, so you'll never pay more than that for a single day in these garages.

The Premium Reserve spaces are a separate product. Located on Arrivals Level 4 on both the East and West sides of the Jeppesen Terminal, they cost $45 per day, are reservation only, and add a $5 service fee per reservation. These are the closest possible spaces to the terminal entrance. They're worth considering if you're in a rush, have mobility needs, or are picking up someone who needs immediate door-side access.

For travelers with electric vehicles, DEN offers free EV charging inside the garages — you just pay the normal parking rate. That's a genuine perk for EV drivers who want a top-up during a long trip.

How Does DEN Short-Term Parking Compare to the East and West Garages?

At Denver International Airport, the East and West Garages are the short-term parking option. There is no separate dedicated short-term surface lot next to the terminal. Both garages connect directly to the Jeppesen Terminal via covered walkways, so no shuttle is needed.

• East Garage: Serves the east side of Jeppesen Terminal. $7/hour, $35/day max.
• West Garage: Serves the west side of Jeppesen Terminal. Same rates. Both sides connect to all Concourses (A, B, C) via the AGTS automated train.
• Premium Reserve: Level 4 East and West. $45/day plus a $5 service fee per reservation, reservation only. Steps from the arrivals curb.

Both garages accept cash, all major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and the ParkDEN app for mobile payment. You can reach DEN parking customer service at (303) 342-7275. Accessible parking spaces are designated on the lower levels of both garages for travelers with disabilities.

Where Is the Short-Term Parking Lot Located at Denver Airport and How Far Is It from the Terminal?

The East and West Garages are attached to the Jeppesen Terminal with no outdoor walking required. The East Garage is on the east side; the West Garage is on the west side. You can walk directly from your parking level into the terminal in under five minutes.

Denver International Airport sits 25 miles northeast of downtown Denver, accessed via Peña Boulevard — the airport's sole road in and out (12 miles from I-70). During the ongoing Great Hall Program renovation, construction activity may affect ground-level traffic flow near the terminal. Allow extra time, especially during peak morning and afternoon hours. Check flydenver.com for current access updates before you drive in.

2026 Construction Note: The $2B Great Hall Program is in its final phase. The East Security Checkpoint opened in August 2025 with 17 new screening lanes, easing congestion significantly. Passenger flow routing near Level 6 West is still shifting, so follow posted signage once inside. The Longs Peak Shuttle Lot is currently closed, so check flydenver.com for current lot status.

What Are the Cheapest Parking Alternatives to Short-Term Parking at DEN?

If your trip is longer than a few hours, the $35/day East or West Garage rate isn't the best deal. Cheaper options exist both on and off the airport, and the savings add up fast for multi-day trips.

On-Airport Cheaper Options

• East Economy Lot / West Economy Lot: $20/day flat. Free shuttle every 10 minutes from the lot to the Hotel Transit Center at the south end of the terminal (ground level), returning every 7-10 minutes (East) or 7-20 minutes (West).
• Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot: $10/day. Free shuttle every 7-15 minutes, with pickup on Level 5, Door 513, Island 3 (East side only). The cheapest on-airport lot with a shuttle. The Longs Peak Shuttle Lot is currently closed.
• 61st and Peña Lot: $8/day. No airport shuttle: you ride the RTD A Line train ($10.50 to the airport, 11-minute ride).

For a deeper look at these options, see our guide to DEN long-term parking, Economy Lots, Pikes Peak, and weekly options.

Off-Airport Parking Options Near DEN

Off-airport lots on Triply run about $6 to $11/day, against $35/day in the East and West Garages. At about $9/day, Park2Jet Denver costs about 73% less per day than the garages and about 53% less than the $20 Economy lots, but only about 6% less than the $10 Pikes Peak lot. Canopy, at about $11/day, costs about 11% more than Pikes Peak. Embassy Suites is the cheapest at about $6/day, but add the $8 shuttle fee. Triply also lists six hotel lots at about $6 to $9/day, 5.5 to 8.8 miles out (Hyatt Place Denver Airport, Aloft Denver Airport at Gateway Park, Residence Inn Denver Airport at Gateway Park, Holiday Inn Express Denver Airport, Hyatt Place Peña Station and Hyatt House Denver Airport). Their shuttles stop overnight and some slow to hourly midday, and availability varies by date, so check each listing.

How Do You Reserve or Pay for Parking at Denver International Airport?

At DEN, only Premium Reserve can be reserved in advance, through flydenver.com ($45/day plus a $5 service fee per reservation). The garages and other airport lots do not take reservations. If you want a booked-ahead space, you can reserve an off-airport lot on Triply, with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.

DEN accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at all on-airport facilities. The ParkDEN mobile app lets you pay on your phone. For questions or assistance, call DEN parking at (303) 342-7275.

If you're picking someone up without parking, use the free Cell Phone Lot at 7680 N. Wenatchee St — about 3 miles from the Jeppesen Terminal. Wait there until your passenger texts you, then drive to the arrivals curb. It saves you entirely from paying short-term parking rates for a pickup.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Parking at DEN: Which Option Is Right for You?

The right choice depends entirely on how long you're leaving your car. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Under 3 hours: East or West Garage ($7/hour, $21 at 3 hours). Walk to the terminal in minutes. No shuttle needed.
• 3-5 hours: The garage works until you reach the $35 daily cap at 5 hours, but compare it to the Economy Lots ($20/day) if your stay might stretch.
• 1-3 days: The Pikes Peak lot ($10/day) or off-airport lots (about $6 to $11/day) are smarter than the $20 Economy Lots. The shuttle is a small trade-off for big savings.
• 4+ days: Pikes Peak ($10/day) or off-airport lots. A 7-day trip in the East Garage costs $245. The same week at Park2Jet costs about $66, at Pikes Peak $70 and at Canopy about $78.
• Want the closest spot? Premium Reserve on Level 4 costs $45/day plus a $5 fee per reservation.

Also consider the DEN short-term, hourly, and pickup parking guide for detailed advice on the best lot for specific pickup and drop-off scenarios.

Tips for Saving Money on Denver Airport Parking

A few practical moves can cut your DEN parking bill significantly, no matter which lot you choose.

1. Book ahead where it's offered. Premium Reserve is the only DEN product you can reserve, and it adds a $5 fee per reservation. Off-airport lots on Triply can be booked ahead with free cancellation with a full refund up to 24 hours before check-in.
2. Use the Cell Phone Lot for pickups. Free, stress-free, and just 3 miles from the terminal. Skip the $7/hour garage for simple arrivals pickup.
3. Check for promo codes. Off-airport lots and booking platforms regularly offer discount codes. See our guide to Denver airport parking deals, coupons, and discount codes for current offers.
4. Add TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck enrollment speeds up your security experience, which means you don't need to arrive as early, reducing the time (and cost) you'd spend in short-term parking while waiting to meet someone.
5. Compare before you book. Rates across DEN lots range from about $6/day to $45/day, a big difference. Five minutes of comparison pays off over a week-long trip.
6. Check traffic before you drive. Construction on Peña Boulevard approach roads can add time unexpectedly. Use the Waze live traffic map to avoid arriving rushed and overpaying for short-term parking when you didn't need to be that early.

Denver International Airport has roughly 42,000 parking spaces across all lots and garages — plenty of options at every budget. The key is matching the right lot to your trip length and budget before you arrive.

Find the Best Denver Airport Short-Term Parking Rate for Your Trip

DEN's East and West Garages are the go-to for true short-term parking: convenient and steps from the Jeppesen Terminal. But for anything beyond a few hours, the savings from Economy Lots, shuttle lots, and off-airport options are significant. The $35/day garage rate vs. $10/day at the Pikes Peak lot, or about $9/day at Park2Jet off-airport, is a real difference that adds up over any multi-day trip.

Compare Denver International Airport off-airport parking in one place. Search DEN parking on Triply, from about $9/day with a 24/7 shuttle, and reserve your spot early.

Compare DEN parking rates. Park2Jet Denver, at about $9/day, costs about 73% less per day than the $35/day terminal garages.