For a smooth experience at Denver International Airport (DEN), it is generally recommended to arrive at least two hours before your domestic flight's boarding time and three hours before international flights to allow sufficient time for parking, check-in, security screening, and reaching your gate

Key Details:

• Domestic Flights: Arrive 2 hours before boarding. Boarding usually starts 30–50 minutes before departure, so plan accordingly

• International Flights: Arrive 3 hours before boarding to accommodate customs and immigration processing

• Peak Travel Times: During holidays, ski season, or busy hours (typically 4 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–3 p.m.), add an extra 30 minutes to 1 hour to your arrival time

• TSA PreCheck: If you have TSA PreCheck, you can often get through security in under 10 minutes, so arriving 1.5 hours early might suffice for domestic flights without checked bags

• Parking and Transit: Allow extra time for parking, shuttle rides, or traffic on I-70 and Peña Boulevard, especially during rush hours or winter

Summary:

Flight Type| Recommended Arrival Time| Notes
---|---|---
Domestic (standard)| 2 hours before boarding| Add time for parking and security
Domestic (TSA PreCheck, no checked bags)| 1.5 hours before boarding| Usually sufficient, but be cautious during peak times
International| 3 hours before boarding| Includes customs and immigration processing
Peak travel periods| Add 30–60 minutes| Holidays, ski season, busy hours

Arriving early helps avoid stress from long security lines, parking delays, and the airport’s large size, ensuring you have time to reach your gate comfortably