Denver International Airport organizes its operations around a central Jeppesen Terminal connected to three distinct concourses—Concourse A, Concourse B, and Concourse C—arranged linearly rather than in traditional pods. Knowing this layout before you arrive prevents missed connections and long, unexpected walks. The terminal complex handles massive passenger volumes by separating the main ticketing and baggage functions from the airside gates via an underground train system.
Navigating Denver International Airport efficiently requires understanding how the train, security checkpoints, and concourses interact. Whether you're catching a tight domestic connection or checking in for an international flight, mastering the spatial arrangement of Concourses A, B, and C saves time and reduces terminal stress.
Understanding the Terminal and Concourse Structure
Denver International Airport features one massive main terminal building split into East and West sides, flanked by three parallel concourses positioned to the east. Unlike airports with circular or radial pier layouts, DEN uses a linear concourse design stretched out from north to south.
Concourse A sits closest to the Jeppesen Terminal and can be reached either by the underground train or via an elevated pedestrian bridge equipped with moving walkways. Concourse B sits in the middle, and Concourse C sits furthest out. Each concourse houses dozens of gates numbered sequentially, with gates on the west side ending in odd numbers and east side gates ending in even numbers.
- Jeppesen Terminal: Handles ticketing, check-in, baggage claim, and security screening.
- Concourse A: Houses a mix of domestic and international carriers, featuring the customs facility for international arrivals.
- Concourse B: The largest concourse, primarily serving United Airlines and its regional partners.
- Concourse C: Primarily serves Southwest Airlines and other domestic carriers.
How to Navigate Using the Underground Train System
The underground Automated People Mover train connects the Jeppesen Terminal to all three concourses. Once you clear security in the main terminal, you take the escalators down to the platform level.
Trains arrive every few minutes, and the ride takes less than three minutes from the terminal to Concourse C, stopping at Concourse A and Concourse B along the way. Listen for announcements and check the digital signs inside the train cars to confirm your stop.
Returning to the main terminal from your gate works the exact same way. Board the train from any concourse station and ride it back to the terminal for baggage claim or ground transportation. If you prefer walking and have plenty of time, a pedestrian skybridge connects the terminal directly to Concourse A, offering views of the airfield and the Rocky Mountains.
Security Checkpoints and Terminal Access
DEN operates two main security checkpoints in the Jeppesen Terminal: the North Security Checkpoint and the South Security Checkpoint. A third checkpoint, the A-Bridge checkpoint, serves passengers walking across to Concourse A.
Wait times fluctuate wildly depending on the time of day and holiday travel surges. Check the official Denver International Airport website or app before you head to the airport for live wait time estimates.
If you hold TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, look for designated lanes at both the North and South checkpoints. Arriving passengers should note that if you're flying out of Concourse B or C, you must clear security in the main terminal first, as there are no direct landside entrances to those concourses.
Connecting Between Concourses
Making a tight connection at Denver doesn't require exiting security. Once you arrive at your first concourse via the underground train, simply follow the signs back down to the train platform.
Board the train heading toward the terminal if you need to switch directions, or ride it to the specific concourse where your next flight departs. Because the train runs in a continuous loop beneath the tarmac, you can easily hop between Concourses A, B, and C without clearing security a second time.
If you are walking between gates within the same concourse, expect long stretches. Concourse B alone is over a quarter-mile long from end to end. Make use of the moving walkways embedded in the center of each concourse floor, and keep an eye on your boarding pass for sudden gate changes.
Ground Transportation and Parking Options
Getting to and from DEN involves navigating the massive Jeppesen Terminal roadway or utilizing regional transit. The Regional Transportation District operates the University of Colorado A Line commuter train, which runs directly from Denver Union Station to the airport transit center located right outside the main terminal.
- Cell Phone Waiting Lot: Free parking while waiting for arriving passengers, located near the airport entrance.
- Garage Parking: Available in garages adjacent to the Jeppesen Terminal on both the East and West sides.
- Economy Parking: Budget lots serviced by shuttle buses that drop passengers off directly at the terminal curb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you walk between all concourses at Denver Airport?
You can walk between the Jeppesen Terminal and Concourse A via the pedestrian bridge. However, you cannot walk airside between Concourses A, B, and C; you must take the underground train system between these concourses.
Which airlines operate out of Concourse B?
Concourse B is primarily dedicated to United Airlines and United Express flights, making it the busiest concourse in the entire airport.
How early should I arrive for a flight at DEN?
Because of high passenger volumes and long security lines, the airport recommends arriving at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international departures.
What should I do if my gate changes to a different concourse?
Don't panic. Head to the nearest underground train station inside your current concourse, board the train, and ride it to the correct concourse listed on your updated flight status.
