EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Compare hire car prices from top providers at Denver International Airport (DEN) with Road Genius. From compact cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles in convenient locations. Most DEN car hire agencies run 24/7 with free shuttles from Jeppesen Terminal Level 5 to the hire car parks, a 5-10 minute ride. Prefer to start in the city? Compare Denver Airport vs city centre pick-up to reduce airport fees and sometimes find lower rates.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Airport |
|
|
| Denver City Centre |
|
|
On average, car rentals at Denver Airport cost around USD $74 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from USD $12 per day.
Compare airport vs city centre pickup: Airport car hires include a Customer Facility Charge (~$6/day) plus a 10% concession fee. The city centre is often ~18% cheaper, but factor in the $10.50 A-Line from DEN and limited hours. Some city centre locations may still add “airport customer” fees if you hire within 24 hours of landing.
Book smart by season: For Christmas/New Year, ski weekends, and summer, booking 1-3 months ahead helps. In April and late October, watch for last-minute drops. Reserve with free cancellation and rebook if prices fall.
Play with dates and length: Weekday pickups in winter can be cheaper than weekends. Weekly rates often beat 5-6 day rentals. Shift pickup/return times a few hours to avoid being charged an extra day.
Pick the right car class: Staying in Denver or visiting in summer? A standard 2WD with M+S all-season tyres usually does the job and is cheaper than AWD. Most Colorado hire cars already have M+S tyres that satisfy the I-70 Traction Law requirements.
Avoid toll and fuel add-ons: Use Google Maps’ “avoid tolls” to skip E-470 and express lanes. If you do use tolls, expect a service fee (~$4-5 per day used) plus the tolls. Refuel on Tower Rd or Peña Blvd before returning to DEN to dodge high refuelling charges.
Mind driver fees and loyalty perks: Extra drivers typically cost $10-15/day. Spouses and loyalty members are often discounted or free. Joining a free loyalty programme can also help you skip counter lines during peak times.
Airport Parking: If you need to park at DEN before picking up a hire car, short-term garages are available (higher hourly rates) and economy car parks (with shuttle).
Denver Parking:
Colorado Driving Regulations:
Traction Law: From September 1 to May 31, Colorado's Traction Law is in effect on the I-70 mountain corridor. Vehicles must have:
Most hire cars in Colorado come equipped and have all-season M+S tyres that satisfy these requirements.
Hire a car to drive to:
Denver City Centre
Boulder
Fort Collins
Do I need a 4WD/AWD vehicle? In winter (November to April), we recommend an AWD/4WD vehicle if you are driving in the mountains because of snow and ice. For summer trips or if you are only staying in the Denver metro area, a standard 2WD car will usually be fine.
How long does the shuttle take from the terminal to the hire car facility? The shuttle ride takes about 5-10 minutes to get from the terminal to the hire car places. You can catch the shuttle from Jeppesen Terminal Level 5, Island 4. It's outside Doors 505-513 on the east side and 504-512 on the west side.
Can I return my hire car after hours? Yes, most big rental companies at DEN let you return cars after they close. You just need to park in the right spot, lock the car and drop the keys in the key drop box. Keep in mind, you are still responsible for the car until the rental company checks it in the next business day.
Do hire cars come with toll transponders? Most hire cars don't have active toll transponders. If you drive on a toll road, they will take a photo of your licence plate. The hire car company will then charge the toll and a service fee to the credit card you used for the hire.
Is there a fee for additional drivers? Yes, most companies charge about $10-15 per day for each extra driver. Many companies won't charge this fee for a spouse or domestic partner, or if you are a member of their loyalty programme.
Will my credit card cover the insurance? Many credit cards give you collision coverage, but you have to turn down the hire car company's coverage and pay for the hire using that card. You should ask your credit card company before your trip about what they cover, what they don't cover and what you need to do.
Are there any age restrictions for hiring a car? You usually need to be at least 21 to hire a car. If you are under 25, you will have to pay an extra 'young driver' fee of about $25-30 per day. Some companies also require you to be older to hire luxury or special cars.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support