What Is Park and Fly?
Park and fly means driving your car to a parking lot near the airport, leaving it for the duration of your trip, and taking the lot's free shuttle to the terminal. It combines the convenience of driving with the savings of off-airport parking rates. In Denver, off-airport park-and-fly lots charge $9–$15/day — 30–60% less than DIA's on-airport options.
How Park & Fly Works at Denver Airport — Step by Step
- Drive to the lot — All five Denver park-and-fly lots are within 5 miles of DIA on Tower Road or nearby. Drive time from DIA is 5–15 minutes.
- Check in — Show your reservation at the entrance gate or with the attendant. Most lots have covered check-in areas.
- Park and board the shuttle — Shuttles run continuously or on a schedule (10 min frequency at Park2Jet, 24/7 at others). Shuttle ride to DIA terminal is 10–20 minutes.
- Fly your trip — Your car stays in the secured lot.
- Return shuttle pickup — On arrival back at DIA, call the lot or use their app. Most lots pick up at the designated shuttle pickup area on Level 5 of the terminal.
Best Park and Fly Lots Near Denver Airport
| Lot | Rate | Shuttle | Covered Option | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canopy Airport Parking | $9/day open-air | 24/7 free | Yes (~$18/day) | Best value overall |
| Park2Jet Denver | $9.99/day | Every 10 min | No | Frequent, fast shuttle |
| Fine Airport Parking | $10/day | Free | No | Budget-friendly |
| ParkDIA | $11/day uncovered | Free | Yes (~$22/day) | High capacity, holidays |
| WallyPark DEN | $15/day | On-demand 5–10 min | Yes | Fastest shuttle, loyalty rewards |
Park & Fly vs Park-and-Fly Hotel Packages
Some Denver hotels near DIA offer "park and fly" hotel packages — you stay one night, leave your car for your trip, and the hotel includes shuttle service to DIA. These packages typically cost $80–$150/night plus parking fees. For most travelers, a dedicated off-airport parking lot is cheaper and more flexible: no hotel stay required, and you can park for any number of nights.
Park-and-fly hotel packages make sense if you have a very early departure flight and want to arrive the night before without the cost and stress of an early morning drive. For all other use cases, off-airport lotsat $9–$15/day are the better value.
Why Denver Is Ideal for Park & Fly
Denver International Airport is uniquely well-suited for park and fly. Five large off-airport lots operate within 5 miles of the terminal along Tower Road. Shuttle times are short (10–20 min), all lots run 24/7, and rates start at $9/day. Denver's highway network (I-70, I-225, E-470) provides fast, direct access to DIA from most metro neighborhoods — making the drive-and-park option viable even from distant suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best park and fly option in Denver?
Canopy Airport Parking at ~$9/day with free 24-hour shuttle service is the best park and fly lot near Denver Airport. Park2Jet (every 10 min shuttle) and Fine Airport Parking ($10/day) are excellent alternatives. All five off-airport lots operate as full park-and-fly facilities.
How does park and fly work at Denver Airport?
Drive to the off-airport lot, check in, board the free shuttle to DIA terminal (10–20 min), fly your trip, then call for return shuttle pickup from DIA. The entire process adds about 20–40 minutes total vs parking on-airport — and saves $10–$19 per day.