DIA Parking Lots by Name 2026 — Pikes Peak, Longs Peak, Economy & More

All Named DIA Parking Lots at a Glance

DIA operates six distinct parking areas, each named and designated for different types of travelers. Here's the quick-reference table with 2026 rates and key details for every lot.

1. Short-Term Garage (East and West)

The Short-Term Garage is the lot physically attached to the Jeppesen Terminal — you can walk directly from your car into the airport without any shuttle or train. It comes in two structures, East and West, flanking the terminal. This is the most convenient option, but also the most expensive.

• Rate: $7/hr, first 30 minutes free, daily maximum of $168
• Best for: Picking someone up, dropping off, or staying for less than 2 hours. At $7/hr, an overnight stay costs $168 — far more than any other lot.
• Not good for: Multi-day parking. At the daily cap, a 7-day trip costs $1,176 — 117x more than the $10/day economy lots.

2. Terminal Garage (East and West)

The Terminal Garage structures sit adjacent to the Jeppesen Terminal with direct covered walkway access. Unlike the Short-Term Garage, they're designed for overnight and multi-day stays with a daily maximum that makes them viable for trips of 2–4 days.

• Rate: $7/hr, daily maximum of $35
• Best for: Travelers who want covered parking with a walk to the terminal and are staying 1–3 days. No shuttle required — convenient for early flights.
• Not good for: Long trips. At $35/day, a 7-day trip costs $245 vs. $70 at the economy lots.

3. Pikes Peak Shuttle Lot

The Pikes Peak lot is DIA's economy surface lot on the south side of the airport campus, off Peña Boulevard. It is the most popular economy choice for travelers approaching from central Denver or the south.

• Rate: $10/day flat
• Access: Free DIA shuttle bus running every 7–10 minutes, 24 hours
• Covered: No — open-air surface lot
• Best for: Multi-day trips where saving money matters more than walking distance. A 7-day stay is $70 vs. $245 at the Terminal Garage.

4. Longs Peak Shuttle Lot

Longs Peak mirrors Pikes Peak in every way — same $10/day rate, same shuttle frequency, same uncovered surface lot format — except it's on the north side of the airport campus. Travelers coming from the north (Aurora, Thornton, Brighton) may find it slightly more convenient.

• Rate: $10/day flat
• Access: Free DIA shuttle bus running every 7–10 minutes, 24 hours
• Covered: No — open-air surface lot
• Best for: Same as Pikes Peak. If one is full, signage will redirect you to the other.

5. 61st & Peña Lot (A-Line Train Access)

The 61st & Peña lot is DIA's lowest-cost on-airport parking option at $8/day. However, there is a major caveat: access to the terminal is exclusively via the RTD A-Line commuter rail. There is no shuttle bus. You park your car, walk to the 61st & Peña train station, board the A-Line, and ride to the Airport Station inside the terminal.

• Rate: $8/day
• Access: RTD A-Line light rail — trains run approximately every 15 minutes
• Train fare: RTD fare applies separately (standard light rail pricing)
• Covered: No — open-air surface lot
• Best for: Travelers comfortable with public transit who want to save $2/day over the economy lots. Also practical for commuters already familiar with the A-Line.
• Not good for: Travelers with heavy bags or tight timing — train frequency and multi-stop routing add transit complexity.

6. Premium Reserve

Premium Reserve is DIA's highest-tier self-park product. At $45/day, it guarantees a reserved space in a covered priority lot closer to the terminal, bookable online in advance. Unlike every other on-airport lot, you are guaranteed your space — no first-come, first-served risk.

• Rate: $45/day
• Access: Priority terminal walkway — no shared shuttle
• Covered: Yes
• Reservation: Required — book online in advance
• Best for: Business travelers, peak-period travel, or anyone who needs certainty over savings.

How to Choose the Right DIA Lot

Use this decision framework to pick the right named lot for your trip:

• Parking for less than 2 hours (pickup/drop-off) → Short-Term Garage. First 30 minutes free, $7/hr after.
• Parking 1–3 days, want to walk to terminal → Terminal Garage East or West. $35/day cap, covered, no shuttle.
• Parking 3+ days, want the best value → Pikes Peak or Longs Peak. $10/day with free shuttle.
• Want cheapest on-airport option and don't mind the train → 61st & Peña. $8/day but A-Line only.
• Need a guaranteed spot or traveling during peak period → Premium Reserve. $45/day, reserved, covered.
• Want to spend less than even $8/day → Off-airport lots. Canopy starts at $6.95/day with free shuttle.

Named DIA Lots vs. Off-Airport Parking

For most multi-day trips, the best-value parking at Denver Airport isn't in any of DIA's named lots — it's at private off-airport lots a few miles from the terminal. These lots offer free shuttle service and often beat DIA's own prices.

Tips for Navigating DIA's Named Lots

• Signage is clear on Peña Boulevard — Each named lot has dedicated exit signs with lot names. Watch for them before reaching the terminal loop and follow the right one for your chosen lot.
• Economy lots are first-come, first-served — Pikes Peak, Longs Peak, and 61st & Peña accept no advance reservations. Arrive with time to find a space during peak periods.
• Photograph your spot — Especially in the economy lots, take a picture of your row letter and number. On return, all rows look identical.
• 61st & Peña requires extra planning — Account for train frequency (roughly every 15 minutes) and the rail fare in your trip planning.
• Weather affects open lots — Pikes Peak, Longs Peak, and 61st & Peña are uncovered. During Colorado hail season (May–August), consider Terminal Garage or covered off-airport options.
• Peak periods fill economy lots — Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer weekends see both economy shuttle lots fill up. If you're traveling during these windows, consider Premium Reserve or pre-booking an off-airport lot.

Frequently Asked Questions