To get from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Golden, you can drive, arrange a shuttle or taxi, request a rideshare, or take RTD transit connections. The Silk Pincushion is a Golden bed and breakfast about a 40-minute drive from DEN, with Silk Pincushion rooms in Golden.
- Transit: Take the RTD A Line from Denver Airport Station to Union Station, then transfer to the W Line toward Golden.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft pickups are at Level 5, Island 5.
- Taxi: Taxi pickups are at Level 5, Island 1.
- Shared shuttle: DEN lists door-to-door shared rides and Golden West Airport Shuttle as a provider.
Driving from Denver International Airport to Golden
Driving is a direct way to travel between DEN and Golden, with the trip to the hotel taking about 40 minutes by car. The airport-to-Golden route details here do not include a specific road sequence, so use a navigation service for turn-by-turn directions when you travel.
If you are renting a car, plan the airport pickup before setting off. For a car-free trip, RTD offers a rail connection toward Golden, while shuttles, taxis and rideshares provide other ground-transport choices.
How do you get from Denver International Airport to Golden by public transit?
To reach Golden by rail, take the RTD A Line from Denver Airport Station to Union Station, then change to the W Line for Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station. DEN’s Airport Transit Center, where RTD rail and bus service connects, is on Level 1 beneath the Westin Denver International Hotel.
The W Line runs between Union Station and Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station. From that station, downtown Golden is about 2.5 miles away; Visit Golden says the walk typically takes about an hour. For the last leg, options include walking, biking, taxi, rideshare, Golden FlexRide or the local free Ore Cart Shuttle.
RTD also identifies SkyRide bus service as an airport connection. Check RTD’s current service information for routes and connections before setting out. If you use a Standard 3-Hour Pass for travel to or from DEN, RTD requires an upgrade to an Airport Day Pass.
Shuttle and taxi options from DEN
Shared-ride shuttles, taxis and app-based rideshares all have designated airport pickup areas. Follow the airport’s signs to the relevant level and island, and check the official site before you go for current pickup instructions and transport details.
Shared-ride shuttles provide door-to-door service to hotels and locations throughout the Denver metro area. Golden West Airport Shuttle is among DEN’s shared-van and commuter-shuttle providers; its phone number is (303) 756-9399. Hotel-shuttle pickups are designated at Level 5, Island 3, at doors 505, 507, 510 and 512.
For a taxi, go to Level 5, Island 1, at doors 505, 506, 507, 510, 511 or 512. Uber and Lyft pickups use Level 5, Island 5, on either side of the terminal.
Request and pay for those rides through the provider’s mobile app. Passengers needing extra assistance can request a Level 5 curbside pickup at the designated east- or west-side doors.
Arriving in Golden and reaching the hotel
Once you reach Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station, continue to downtown Golden by the option that suits your arrival.
The local free Ore Cart Shuttle and Golden FlexRide are among the choices; Golden FlexRide is an RTD on-demand, curb-to-curb service open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A one-day itinerary for Golden can help you plan a day around town.
Golden’s local routes include the Gold Route (Au) for North Golden, the Silver Route (Ag) for the Colorado School of Mines campus, and the Tungsten Route (W), which connects the W Line station, downtown and the Mines campus.
FlexRide service hours are Monday–Friday, 5:30 AM–7:00 PM, and Saturday, 8:00 AM–7:00 PM; check the official site before you go for current service details.
If you are also planning time in the city, how to take a day trip to Denver from Golden can help you plan the connection.
FAQs
Is there a direct train from DEN to Golden?
No single train runs directly from the airport to Golden. Take the RTD A Line to Union Station, then transfer to the W Line for Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station.
Where do you catch a hotel shuttle at DEN?
Hotel-shuttle pickups are at Level 5, Island 3, by doors 505, 507, 510 and 512.
Can you walk from the W Line station to downtown Golden?
Yes. Downtown Golden is about 2.5 miles from Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station, and the walk typically takes about an hour.