Car Rental Downtown

FAQs

Is it cheaper to rent from downtown Denver versus the airport? Yes, it's usually cheaper. You can save about 18% by renting downtown because you avoid some airport fees and extra charges. But, if you take a taxi to get downtown (about $56 plus tip), you might not save any money. Taking the A-Line train is a cheaper way to get downtown from the airport for $10.50.

Where can I find affordable parking in downtown Denver? You can park at meters for free on Sundays and overnight from 10 pm to 8 am. For longer stays, parking garages are usually a better deal than meters. Some garages offer early-bird specials for about $8-12 if you get there before 9 am and leave by 6 pm. You can also use apps like SpotHero to find cheaper garage parking. Garages often charge less in the evenings and on weekends than during the work week.

How do I avoid Denver's airport fees when renting downtown? The airport adds fees if you rent a car within 20 miles of DEN less than 24 hours after your flight lands. To avoid these fees, you can wait more than 24 hours after landing before you rent. You can also rent from a location more than 20 miles from the airport.

Do I need a car in downtown Denver? You probably don't need a car just for getting around downtown. Denver has good public transportation like the free 16th Street Mall shuttle, light rail and bus system. You can also easily find rideshare services. However, you will find a car helpful if you want to visit places outside the city center, go to the mountains or see many spots in one day.

What type of vehicle is best for winter driving to ski resorts? For driving in the mountains during winter, we strongly suggest you rent an AWD or 4WD vehicle that has good all-season or winter tires. Colorado's Traction Law requires you to have the right tires or a vehicle with AWD/4WD on mountain roads like I-70 in the winter. Most rental companies have AWD SUVs, but they get booked fast in ski season.

How do I handle toll roads with a rental car? Some roads like the E-470 beltway and the express lanes on I-25 and US-36 have electronic tolls. Your rental company will bill your credit card for any tolls you use. They will also add a service fee, which is about $3-6 for each day you use a toll road. If you want to stay off toll roads, you can set your phone's map app to avoid them.

Can I return my downtown rental to the airport (or vice versa)? Yes, most rental companies let you do one-way rentals between downtown and the airport, but they might charge you a drop-off fee. This can be handy if you are staying downtown and then flying out. To see what's cheaper, compare the one-way rental price to the cost of returning the car downtown and then getting a ride to the airport.

Are after-hours returns possible at downtown locations? Yes, most downtown locations let you return your car after hours using a key drop box. You just need to park in the right spot, lock the car and put the keys in the drop box. Remember that you are still responsible for the car until the rental office opens the next business day and checks it in. It's a good idea to take pictures of the car's condition and the gas gauge to have a record.

What happens if I need to extend my rental? You should call the rental company before you are due to return the car. They can usually give you an extension, but it depends on if they have cars available. Your rental price might also change. If you just bring the car back late without letting them know, they could charge you extra fees or even for a whole extra day.