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I'm thinking about an excursion that starts & ends at DIA, but my plan would be to take Amtrak to/from Denver. They say there is no shuttle from Denver Amtrak to DIA and suggest a taxi. Anyone have an idea on approx. what that fare would be? I need to plan my budget before committing to the trip.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Ms. McFarland, if you are taking an 'excursion' from KDIA/DIA Washington Dulles International Airport, how does Denver figure into such?
As information, Denver International Airport remains as KDEN(ICAO)/DEN(IATA). Amtrak's Denver Station Code is DEN. In my postings here, to avoid this kind of confusion, I always when addressing an airport, use the four letter ICAO code.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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There are taxi fare calculators out there but last time I used one it was way off, predicting $30+ when it actually cost $20 including tip for each of two journeys. But anyway, be aware that Denver airport is a looong way from downtown (and thus the Amtrak station) so any fare will be big. A quick Google suggests a flat rate of $51 plus $3.50 "gate fee" (originating at DIA) plus tip.
I'd be inclined to take one of the shared ride services like Super Shuttle to a convenient downtown hotel. It doesn't matter that you won't stay at the hotel. Get one close enough to the Amtrak station and it'll be a short walk away - possibly mostly on a pedestrianized street but Denver has changed so much since I was last there, I really don't know any more. Even going to the airport can be arranged with a pick-up from the same hotel or any other convenient one.
I'm pretty sure there's a local bus service, possibly express, that takes you between the airport and somewhere downtown which might also fit the bill.
Mr Norman, DIA is the local abbreviation for Denver International Airport, as in "Driver, take me to DIA please". I suspect you already know that and are just being unnecessarily pedantic and unhelpful. If you've ever been to Denver since the current airport was built you will see that it's plastered all over with DIA monikers, and the locals know it as DIA.
Vincent206 Member # 15447
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I, too, have been looking at a mid-winter excursion that would either start or end in Denver. It looks like van service is available between the airport and downtown for $22 one way. There's also a local bus that runs once an hour and costs $9 one way, but I suspect with luggage it might be best to take the shuttle. The taxi fare to downtown is set at about $55 one way (plus tip), so I suspect I will be taking a shuttle van if my trip plans include a downtown to airport transfer. I've never used the Denver Amtrak station before, but it looks like it is centrally located in downtown Denver and near some good hotels.
Also, regarding the airport codes, for those of us in the western half of the USA, KSEA would most likely be identified as a radio station that, until recently, broadcast elevator music in the Puget Sound region. Very few locals would ever refer to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as KSEA. If a traveler jumped into a taxi in downtown Seattle and asked the driver to "take me to KSEA", their ride would have been short and ended nowhere near the airport.
palmland Member # 4344
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It appears you can get a rental at the airport for under $60 per day (which includes the sizable airport tax). If you want to look around the area it would give you that option and then drop it off at one of the downtown rental locations.
sbalax Member # 2801
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I've got to chime in with my two cents worth on this one. The code for Denver International Airport is now DEN. It was DIA until Stapleton finally closed to all operations, I believe, and DEN was transferred to the new facility.
(This just in from the 44 year airline employee in the household who was based twice in Denver -- DIA was used when the facility was being built but was not used as the three letter.)
There is a Flyaway type of transfer from the airport to downtown and I believe the terminus is close to Amtrak.
BTW, we are just home from PSP and I noticed that the sign on the freeway was directing people to exit for AMTRACK…
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Just did this on Monday. Taxi from downtown hotels to DEN is flat fare of $51 (plus tip). Originating at DEN and heading into downtown Denver is $51 flat + 3.50 Airport Origination Fee + tip.
Hope that helps.
DonNadeau Member # 61606
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I have used Supper Shuttle at Denver Airport to and from hotels near Denver Union Station. Not expensive at all.
Due the uncertainty of both Amtrak and airline schedules, you should probably overnight, instead of trying to use red eye flights that are supposed to coordinate with the Zepyhr's schedule,
You will find many hotels within walking distance of Union Station.
notelvis Member # 3071
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The express buses from the Denver Airport into downtown Denver are operated by the local transit authority and marketed under the name 'SkyRide'. Fares are in the $12 range and it seems like it takes 35-40 minutes.
I've used them three or four times over the years and find it to be clean, comfortable, and reliable.
A thread on another forum I follow is reporting that Amtrak will return to Denver Union Station on February 15th.
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Most cities have some form of public transit between airport and downtown. Normally it is operated by their city bus system and not advertized much if at all. If you go on the web to their city transit system, you can normally find it.
for example, San Francisco to/from SFO, "everyone" knows about BART, but there is also a bus serivce that is cheaper. There is the KX express operated by SamTrans that runs once and hour, and the 292 local that is more frequent. From our perspective, the KX is an easier ride that BART.
I do no know what the situation is at Denver, and am too lazy right now to look for it, but I suspect that there is one. Remember, there are lots of people that work at airports that do not want to have to drive to them and part there.
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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I was also going to recommend SuperShuttle. I've had very good service with them in several different cities.
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