DIA Economy Lot quick facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily Rate | $13/day |
| Location | Pena Station, on-airport |
| Reservations | Not accepted — walk-in only |
| Terminal Access | A Line commuter rail (~5 min ride) |
| Train Frequency | Every 15 minutes |
| Hours | 24/7 |
| Type | Open-air surface lot |
| EV Charging | No |
| Payment | Automated kiosks, credit/debit |
How the DIA Economy Lot works
The Economy Lot is located at Pena Station, the first stop on the A Line commuter rail line before Denver International Airport. Here's how the process works:
- Drive to Pena Station from Pena Boulevard — look for Economy Parking signs. The lot entrance is off 61st Ave and Pena Boulevard.
- Park your vehicle in any available open-air space. Payment is handled at automated kiosks; you do not pre-pay — you pay when you exit.
- Walk to the Pena Station platform (adjacent to the parking lot) and board the A Line commuter rail toward Denver Airport.
- Ride to the Denver International Airport station — approximately 5 minutes, with trains running every 15 minutes.
- On return, take the A Line back to Pena Station, retrieve your vehicle, and pay at the exit kiosk.
DIA Economy Lot vs off-airport lots — comparison
| Feature | DIA Economy Lot | Best Off-Airport Lots |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Rate | $13 | $9–$11 |
| Reservations | No | Yes |
| Terminal Access | A Line (~15 min wait + 5 min ride) | Shuttle (~10-15 min wait + ride) |
| Covered Option | No | Yes (Canopy, ParkDIA, WallyPark) |
| EV Charging | No | Yes (Canopy) |
| Holiday Availability | Limited — can fill up | ParkDIA: 7,500 spaces, rarely full |
| 1-Week Cost | $91 | ~$63–$77 |
| 2-Week Cost | $182 | ~$126–$154 |
When does the DIA Economy Lot make sense?
Despite being more expensive than off-airport alternatives, the Economy Lot has genuine use cases:
- Truly last-minute travel — if you're heading to the airport right now with no advance booking, the Economy Lot will have space (outside of peak holidays) when off-airport lots may be sold out online.
- You prefer on-airport parking for security reasons. The Economy Lot is DIA-operated and on DIA property.
- You enjoy the A Line rail experience — some travelers prefer a fixed train schedule to a variable shuttle wait.
- Short trips where price difference is minimal. On a 1-day trip, the $4 difference between Economy Lot and the cheapest off-airport option may not matter.
When to skip the DIA Economy Lot
- Any trip longer than 2 days — off-airport lots are cheaper by a meaningful margin.
- Peak holiday travel — the Economy Lot fills up and does not accept reservations. Book ParkDIA's 7,500 spaces instead.
- EV drivers — no charging available at the Economy Lot. Canopy Airport Parking has dedicated EV charging.
- Anyone who needs covered parking — the Economy Lot is open-air only.