DIA Parking Fees 2026 — Complete Denver Airport Parking Cost Guide

DIA Parking Fee Structure Explained

Denver Airport uses two different fee structures depending on where you park. The DIA Covered Garage charges an hourly rate with a daily maximum, while the Economy lot and all off-airport lots charge a flat daily rate. Understanding the difference can save you money, especially on short stays.

• DIA Covered Garage — Charges $7 per hour with the first 30 minutes free. The daily maximum is $35, which kicks in after roughly 5 hours. If you're just picking someone up or doing a quick drop-off, the 30-minute free window covers most situations. Rates effective May 14, 2025.
• DIA Economy Shuttle Lots (Pikes Peak/Longs Peak) — Flat rate of $10 per day with free shuttle every 7–10 minutes. No hourly option. Walk-in only — reservations are not accepted.
• DIA 61st & Peña Lot — Flat rate of $8/day. Accessed via RTD A-Line commuter rail only — no car shuttle. Walk-in only.
• DIA Valet — Starting at $45 per day with terminal-level drop-off. The most expensive option, designed for travelers who want zero walking.
• Off-airport lots — Flat daily rates ranging from $9 to $15 per day. All include free shuttle service to the terminal. Reservations accepted and recommended.

Complete DIA Parking Fee Table

Here's every parking fee at Denver Airport in one table, including both on-airport and off-airport lots near DIA.

DIA rates effective May 14, 2025. Source: flydenver.com

Hourly Parking Fees at DIA

The DIA Covered Garage is the only lot at Denver Airport that charges an hourly rate. Here's how the hourly fees work.

• First 30 minutes — Free. This window is designed for pick-ups and drop-offs at the terminal.
• 30 minutes to 1 hour — $7. If you're meeting someone at arrivals and it takes a bit longer, expect to pay one hour's rate.
• 1 to 1.5 hours — $10.50. Around the breakeven point vs Economy shuttle lots ($10/day).
• 1.5 to 2 hours — $14. Off-airport lots or Economy shuttle lots are now cheaper.
• 2 to 3 hours — $21. Significantly cheaper to park at Economy shuttle lots ($10/day).
• 3 to 4 hours — $28. Approaching the $35 daily maximum.
• 5+ hours — $35 daily maximum. The rate caps here regardless of how many additional hours you stay that day.

For pick-ups and drop-offs under 30 minutes, the garage is free and the most convenient option. For stays of 1–1.5 hours, the garage is still reasonable at $7–$10.50. But for stays over 1.5 hours, off-airport lots at $9–$10/day or the Economy shuttle lots ($10/day) are a better deal — especially since you can reserve a spot at off-airport lots.

Daily Parking Fees Compared

Daily fees are where the real comparisons matter for most travelers. Here's how the daily DIA parking rates stack up, including what you get for each price point.

• $9/day — Canopy Airport Parking (open-air) — The cheapest daily rate near DIA. Includes free shuttle every 10–15 minutes, 24-hour security, and online reservations. The trade-off is open-air parking with no weather protection.
• $9.99/day — Park2Jet Denver — Slightly higher than Canopy but closer to the terminal with more frequent shuttles (every 10 minutes). Good balance of price and convenience.
• $10/day — Fine Airport Parking — Simple, flat pricing with no tiers or confusing options. What you see is what you pay.
• $11/day — ParkDIA (uncovered) — Standard uncovered parking with rewards program benefits. Covered option available at $22/day.
• $10/day — DIA Economy Shuttle Lots (Pikes Peak/Longs Peak) — On-airport with free shuttle every 7–10 minutes. No reservations — walk-in only. Same price as Fine Airport Parking off-airport.
• $8/day — DIA 61st & Peña Lot — Cheapest on-airport option but requires RTD A-Line commuter rail only. No reservations — walk-in only.
• $15/day — WallyPark DEN — Premium off-airport option with the fastest shuttle service (every 5–10 minutes). Worth the premium for business travelers and anyone who dislikes waiting.
• $18/day — Canopy (covered) — Covered parking with all the Canopy benefits. Good for winter travel and extended stays where weather protection matters.
• $22/day — ParkDIA (covered) — Covered parking with ParkDIA rewards program. The most expensive off-airport covered option.
• $35/day — DIA Covered Garage — Walk-to-terminal convenience but 3–4x the price of most off-airport lots. Only makes sense for very short stays (1–2 days) where the shuttle time isn't worth the savings.
• $45+/day — DIA Valet — Terminal drop-off and pick-up. The ultimate convenience at the ultimate price. Rarely the best value unless you're running extremely late.

Hidden Fees & Surcharges at DIA

Good news: DIA parking is relatively transparent compared to many major airports. Here's what you need to know about hidden fees.

• No hidden fees at DIA on-airport lots — The Covered Garage, Economy lot, and Valet charge exactly the posted rate. No taxes, no surcharges, no “facility fees” are added on top.
• Off-airport lots — mostly transparent— The vast majority of off-airport lots charge the posted daily rate with no additional fees. However, a few things to watch for:
  • Online booking fees — Some lots charge a small booking fee ($1–$2) for online reservations. This is usually disclosed at checkout.
  • No-show fees — If you reserve and don't show up, some lots charge a no-show fee or retain a small deposit. Check the cancellation policy when booking.
  • Covered parking surcharge — Covered parking is always more expensive than open-air. Canopy charges $9 more/day for covered ($18 vs $9), and ParkDIA charges $11 more ($22 vs $11). This isn't a “hidden” fee, but make sure you're selecting the right option at checkout.
• No surge pricing — Unlike rideshare services, DIA parking lots do not implement surge pricing during peak periods. The rate is the rate, whether you're parking on a quiet Tuesday or the day before Thanksgiving.

Total Trip Cost Comparison

Daily rates only tell part of the story. Here's the total parking fee for trips of various lengths, showing exactly how much you'll spend at each lot. Pre-booked rates (with advance booking discounts) are shown where available.

At 14 days, parking at the DIA Garage ($490) costs nearly four times what you'd pay at Canopy ($126). Even a 3-day trip costs $105 in the garage versus $27 at Canopy — a $78 difference.

Payment Methods at DIA Parking Lots

How you pay depends on where you park. Here's a quick overview.

• DIA Covered Garage — Credit cards, debit cards, and cash accepted at exit payment machines. Contactless payment (Apple Pay, Google Pay) available at most machines.
• DIA Economy Lot — Credit cards, debit cards, and cash. Walk-in only, no advance payment option.
• Off-airport lots (online booking) — Credit card or debit card required at the time of reservation. Most lots pre-charge the full amount or authorize a hold. No cash payment for online bookings.
• Off-airport lots (walk-up) — Credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes cash. Mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) accepted at most off-airport lots.

How to Reduce Your DIA Parking Fees

• Park off-airport — The simplest way to cut fees is to choose an off-airport lot. Even without any discounts, Canopy at $9/day is 74% cheaper than the DIA Garage at $35/day.
• Book online in advance — Save 15–30% by reserving before you arrive. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to get the best rate.
• Use coupons and promo codes — Stack an additional 5–15% off on top of advance booking discounts.
• Join a loyalty program — Canopy's 5280 Club, ParkDIA Rewards, and WallyPark W Rewards all earn points toward free parking. Free to join and adds up quickly for regular travelers.
• Consider the DIA garage only for very short stays — The 30-minute free window is great for pick-ups. For stays under 2 hours, the garage at $7–$14 is reasonable. For anything longer, off-airport lots are cheaper.
• Travel during off-peak months — The best DEN parking deals appear in January–February and September–October when lots compete for business.

Frequently Asked Questions