DIA parking rates by type — 2026 breakdown
Denver International Airport (DIA) offers three on-airport parking types — Economy, covered garage, and valet — each at a different price point. Here's how they compare:
| DIA Lot / Type | Hourly | Daily | 7 Days | 14 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Shuttle Lots (Pikes Peak / Longs Peak) | — | $10 | $70 | $140 |
| 61st & Peña Lot (RTD A-Line only) | — | $8 | $56 | $112 |
| Covered Terminal Garage (East/West) | $7/hr (first 30 min free) | $35 | $245 | $490 |
| Valet | — | $45 | $315 | $630 |
DIA rates effective May 14, 2025. Source: flydenver.com
The Economy shuttle lots (Pikes Peak and Longs Peak) connect to the DIA terminal via free shuttle every 7–10 minutes. The 61st & Peña lot requires the RTD A-Line commuter rail — no shuttle. The covered garage is directly connected to the Jeppesen Terminal via enclosed walkway with no wait required.
Off-airport parking rates near DIA
Off-airport lots near Denver International Airport offer the lowest DIA parking rates — 30–60% cheaper than on-airport parking. All include free 24-hour shuttle service to the DIA terminal running every 5–15 minutes.
| Lot | Type | Daily | 7 Days | 14 Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy | Open-air | ~$9 | ~$63 | ~$126 |
| Park2Jet | Outdoor | ~$9.99 | ~$70 | ~$140 |
| Fine Airport Parking | Outdoor | ~$10 | ~$70 | ~$140 |
| ParkDIA | Uncovered | ~$11 | ~$77 | ~$154 |
| WallyPark DEN | Open-air | ~$15 | ~$105 | ~$210 |
| Canopy | Covered | ~$18 | ~$126 | ~$252 |
| ParkDIA | Covered | ~$22 | ~$154 | ~$308 |
| Canopy | Valet | ~$29 | ~$203 | ~$406 |
Rates are advance online booking prices. Walk-in rates are typically 15–30% higher. All off-airport lots include free shuttle service. Rates fluctuate with demand during peak periods.
DIA own lots vs off-airport lots — full comparison
Choosing between DIA's own parking and off-airport alternatives? Here's a head-to-head comparison across the factors that matter most:
| Factor | DIA Economy Lot | Off-Airport Lots |
|---|---|---|
| Daily rate | $10/day (shuttle lots) / $8/day (61st & Peña, A-Line only) | $9–$11/day (open-air) |
| 7-day cost | $70 (shuttle lots) / $56 (61st & Peña) | $63–$77 |
| Terminal access | Commuter rail (10–15 min) | Free shuttle (8–12 min) |
| Covered option | No (open surface lot) | Yes (Canopy, ParkDIA) |
| EV charging | No | Yes (Canopy) |
| Availability | Fills on peak days | More capacity (ParkDIA 7,500 spaces) |
| Loyalty program | No | Yes (Canopy 5280, ParkDIA Rewards) |
| Online discounts | No | Yes — 15–30% off with advance booking |
| Promo codes | No | Yes — seasonal codes available |
For most multi-day travelers, off-airport lots win on every dimension except the on-airport brand name. The commuter rail from the Economy lot adds roughly the same time as the off-airport shuttle — neither is dramatically faster.
Are DIA parking rates going up in 2026?
DIA raised on-airport rates effective May 14, 2025. The Economy shuttle lots (Pikes Peak/Longs Peak) are now $10/day and the covered garage is now $35/day ($7/hr). The 61st & Peña lot is $8/day via RTD A-Line only. Here are a few additional dynamics to be aware of:
- Dynamic pricing at off-airport lots — Canopy, ParkDIA, and WallyPark have all expanded demand-based pricing in 2026. Baseline rates are the same, but peak-period and last-minute rates are higher than in 2025. Book early to lock in 2026 base rates.
- Holiday surges are more pronounced — With higher 2026 travel demand, off-airport lots are selling out earlier during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last-minute travelers will see 20–40% rate increases.
- No further DIA rate increases announced — As of April 2026, DIA has not announced any additional increases beyond the May 2025 adjustment.
- Off-airport competition keeps rates low — The competitive off-airport market in Aurora has prevented significant rate increases. Multiple lots compete for the same customers, keeping prices stable when booked in advance.
DIA parking rates by time of day
DIA's covered terminal garage is the only on-airport option with hourly pricing. Here's how the rate clock works and when the daily cap kicks in:
| Stay Duration | Cost (Covered Garage) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30 minutes | Free | Quick pickup/drop-off only |
| 31–60 minutes | $6 | First paid hour |
| 1–2 hours | $12 | $6 per hour |
| 2–3 hours | $18 | Getting expensive vs alternatives |
| 3–4 hours | $24 | Approaching daily cap |
| 4+ hours / Daily cap | $28 | Daily maximum — same as full-day rate |
| Each additional day | +$28/day | Daily cap resets at midnight |
The daily cap of $28 kicks in after roughly 4.7 hours in the covered garage ($28 ÷ $6/hr). If you're staying longer than 4–5 hours, you hit the daily max regardless. At that point, the DIA Economy lot ($13/day) or an off-airport lot ($9–$11/day) is a dramatically better value — you pay the same or less for a full day vs the hourly garage. The 30-minute free window is DIA's only genuine free-parking offering — enough for curbside pickup if your departing traveler is ready at the curb.
Why DIA parking rates are what they are
Denver International Airport is consistently ranked among the world's busiest airports — it handled over 77 million passengers in 2024, making it the 4th busiest airport in the United States and one of the top 20 globally by passenger volume. That scale creates the conditions that drive parking prices:
- On-airport lots have captive audience pricing. Travelers who park at the DIA Economy lot or covered garage have no competition within the airport boundary. DIA sets rates knowing that many travelers will pay regardless — there's no competing lot next door. The $13/day Economy lot and $28/day covered garage reflect this pricing power.
- Off-airport competition keeps alternatives affordable. The off-airport market in Aurora — Canopy, Park2Jet, Fine Airport Parking, ParkDIA, WallyPark — competes aggressively for the same DIA-bound travelers. This competition is why off-airport rates have stayed at $9–$15/day. Without competing lots, prices would likely track closer to the on-airport Economy lot.
- DIA's remote location adds demand for parking. Located 25 miles east of downtown Denver, DIA has fewer transit alternatives than urban airports like JFK or O'Hare. Most Denver-area travelers drive to DIA, creating high, sustained demand for parking. This keeps occupancy rates at off-airport lots high enough to sustain their business model at $9–$11/day.
- Dynamic pricing expands margins at peak times. Off-airport lots use demand-based pricing to charge more during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and summer. This is the same mechanism used by airlines and hotels — charging what the market will bear when demand peaks, while keeping baseline rates low enough to fill the lots the rest of the year.
For the most detailed breakdown including short term hourly rates, see our full Denver Airport Parking Rates 2026 guide. For deals and discounts, check DIA Parking Deals. For long stay rates, see DIA long term parking.
Frequently asked questions — DIA parking rates
What are DIA parking rates in 2026?
DIA on-airport rates (effective May 14, 2025): Economy shuttle lots (Pikes Peak/Longs Peak) $10/day ($70/week). 61st & Peña lot $8/day via RTD A-Line. Covered terminal garage $35/day ($245/week). Valet $45/day. Off-airport lots start at $9/day with free shuttle — still cheaper than on-airport options.
How much is DIA parking per hour?
$7/hour in the covered terminal garage. First 30 minutes free. Daily max: $35. For stays over 2.5 hours, the Economy shuttle lots ($10/day flat) are cheaper.
Did DIA raise parking rates?
Yes. DIA raised on-airport parking rates effective May 14, 2025. The Economy shuttle lots went from $13/day to $10/day for Pikes Peak/Longs Peak. The covered garage increased from $28/day to $35/day ($7/hr). The 61st & Peña lot is $8/day. Off-airport lots have also expanded dynamic pricing — book early to lock in baseline rates.
How do DIA lots compare to off-airport lots?
Off-airport lots are still often cheaper ($9–$11/day vs $10/day Economy shuttle lots), offer covered options, EV charging, loyalty programs, and online discounts. The 61st & Peña on-airport lot at $8/day via RTD A-Line is now the cheapest option of all. DIA Economy shuttle lots offer free shuttle access every 7–10 min without needing a shuttle reservation.
What is the cheapest parking at DIA?
The 61st & Peña on-airport lot is $8/day (RTD A-Line access only, no car shuttle). Off-airport lots like Canopy open-air are $9/day with free shuttle. Economy shuttle lots (Pikes Peak/Longs Peak) are $10/day. Book online in advance for best rates at off-airport lots.