RTD helps make holiday airport connections easy
The A Line and SkyRide buses make it easy to get to the airport during the busy holiday season
If you’re flying out of Denver International Airport (DEN) for holiday travel, RTD’s A Line and SkyRide buses are reliable options for connecting to the airport without Santa’s sleigh. Skip the trafficand scouting for parking. Here are tips for using RTD bus or rail services this season– each available with $10 airport fare or eligible pass card.
A Line – the train to the plane
RTD’s overall on-time performance for the A Line, known as the train to the plane, ranks 91.3% on average through September 2025, the latest metrics available. On-time performance is a measurement of how frequently trains arrive at stations according to the posted schedule, with “on-time” being defined as a vehicle arriving no more than one minute early or five minutes late. The A Line has a 97.9% service availability rate. Service availability is a measurement of the percentage of trips that operate as scheduled. If a maintenance issue or event is expected to impact the service for up to 45 minutes, RTD’s Concessionaire’s Operator, Denver Transit Operators, will notify RTD so that bus shuttles can be deployed for customers to resume travel.
While historical data shows most trips on the A Line operate smoothly as planned, for making flight connections, consider adding a cushion of time for trip planning. Moving through security lines can take longer given the volume of people traveling with the holiday season in full swing and with the Denver International Airport being one of the busiest in the world.
Park-n-Ride options
To connect to the A Line from locations other than Denver Union Station, customers can find parking along the rail line at numerous Park-n-Rides including 38th•Blake, 40th•Colorado Station, Central Park Station, Peoria Station, and40th•Airport – Gateway Park Station. Visit the RTD Stations and Park-n-Rides page and filter results by “Park-n-Ride” and “Park-n-Ride Stations” to locate stations that serve the A Line and the number of vehicle spaces available. Looking up the departure time from the Park-n-Ride in the NextRide app will help plan what time customers will need to board the A Line to the airport.
Some fine print
Parking fees at Park-n-Rides may apply depending on whether the vehicle is registered at an address within RTD’s service district and the length of time it will be parked at the lot.
- If a vehicle is registered within RTD boundaries, then parking is free for 24 hours.
- For parking beyond 24 hours, a $2 daily fee applies to vehicles registered in-district.
- If a vehicle is registered outside the district, a $4 daily fee is required.
Visit here to learn more about Park-n-Ride costs.
SkyRide buses
SkyRide bus routes are another option for getting to the airport and leaving the driving to RTD. Bus routes to and from the airport include the AB1/AB2/AB3 from Boulder, 104L from Wagon Road Park-n-Ride, 145X from Brighton, 169L from Buckley and the AT/ATA from Arapahoe County. These buses offer temporary storage for customers with luggage with both under-seat and overhead compartments for carry-ons. SkyRide operators can help load or unload items in under-coach bins available for larger items. Visit RTD’s Airport page for more information.
Traveling safely
The RTD Transit Police Department (RTD-PD) has grown to 100 officers for increased visibility and patrolling across the district’s stops, stations, and vehicles. For more than a year, RTD has seen a 25% decrease in security-related calls and a double-digit reduction in reports of illicit drug activity across they system. The agency has focused on improving the customer experience as part of its welcoming transit environment initiative with the overwhelming majority of customers completing their trips without issues or concerns.
Use RTD digital tools for easier travel
Check this list twice for happier holiday travels with RTD:
- Download and use the Next Ride mobile app to plan your trip, even checking earlier and later bus or rail departures to ensure reaching DEN fits into the picture if an unforeseen issue were to arise. To view itineraries, select the travel direction, day of the week, and desired arrival schedule to ensure ample time to make your flight. For help with trip planning, contact RTD Customer Service at 303.299.6000.
- Sign up for Service Alerts to be notified of any changes to RTD routes and rail services specific to your plans. The app can push updates to ensure you’re up to date on any service notifications.
These tools, along with allowing extra time for ease of mind, help make connecting to the airport a jingle-all-the-way holiday travel experience.