ok so i just landed at denver international, and honestly its always a bit of an experience getting in here, like its not lax or jfk where you basically get shoved out a tube and onto a curb, but denver has its own unique flavor, and i gotta share some thoughts for anyone planning a trip, because its not always what you expect from such a big, modern looking place, you know.
walking off the plane into concourse b, which is where i always seem to land, its usually pretty wide open and the ceilings are super high, you get that immediate sense of space which is nice after being crammed on a plane for hours, and the art installations are always a thing, its like this whole vibe of high desert meets contemporary art museum, which is cool but also sometimes a bit distracting when all you want to do is find the damn train to baggage claim.
- atmosphere: basically a mix of futuristic architecture and those weird native american inspired murals, its clean mostly but also feels a bit sterile in some spots, like its trying too hard to be art gallery and airport at the same time, its expansive and airy which i appreciate, but the sound just travels everywhere, so its never truly quiet.
- pace: for the initial walk off the plane its pretty chill, people are stretching and kinda slowly making their way, but then you hit the escalator down to the train and its like a switch flips, suddenly everyone remembers they have somewhere to be and the pace picks up to a brisk walk, almost a sprint if you miss a train.
then theres the train ride to the main terminal, its pretty efficient i guess, those automated announcements are always a bit much but you get used to them, and its almost always packed, especially if you land at a peak time, like literally standing room only, and its kinda funny watching everyone try to avoid eye contact as they squeeze together, but it does its job of getting you under the iconic tent roof which is really pretty impressive when you step off the escalator into the main terminal area.
the check-in reality check
when you emerge into the main jeppesen terminal, its a whole different beast, its visually striking with those white peaks, its like a giant tent city almost, but holy hell can it be a maze, especially if you dont know where youre going, and its a hub for so many airlines that the energy is just constantly buzzing, its rarely quiet or calm in there, like even if youre just arriving and heading to ground transportation, you still feel the chaos of everyone else trying to depart or connect.
- atmosphere: pure organised chaos, with a hint of architectural wonder, theres like a million people moving in a million directions, signs are mostly clear but if you blink you might miss your turn, the natural light is beautiful though, bouncing off those white fabric panels, but its also super echo-y, so it can be loud and a bit overwhelming, basically a concrete jungle under a fancy tent.
- pace: definitely a sprint, its like everyone has a mission and theyre moving fast, if you stop to check your phone you risk getting run over by a rolling suitcase, its not a place to doddle, you gotta keep moving with the flow, or find a wall to literally glue yourself to while you get your bearings.
dealing with the crowds
the crowds, oh my god the crowds, denver has gotten so busy its almost insane, its not just during peak travel times anymore, it feels like its always bustling, and the security lines, even if youre not going through them on arrival, just seeing them snake through the terminal gives you anxiety for everyone else, its like a sea of people everywhere, and finding an uber or lyft after you get your bags can be its own olympic sport, because everyone else is doing the exact same thing, and the cell service can be a bit spotty down in the baggage claim area sometimes too, which just adds to the frustration.
so my advice, honestly, is to just breathe, plan for extra time, like literally more time than you think you need, especially for getting out and getting picked up, and dont assume its going to be a super speedy escape, its a beautiful airport and a really interesting one architecturally, but its also a major hub now and it feels like it, its grown so much, so just be prepared for the hustle and bustle, and maybe have your ground transportation app open and ready to go before you even get down to the curb, its a bit of a journey but its worth it to get to denver, just dont expect a chill stroll from plane to pavement, its more like a brisk walk through a very active anthill, but a very pretty anthill, you know.