Quick Answer
The RTD A-Line train is the cheapest option at $10.50. Shared shuttles run $25–40. A private SUV to downtown Denver estimates around $230, before tax, fees and gratuity. Estimate only, and subject to change: timing, routing, vehicle and seasonal rates all move the final quote. The right choice depends on how many bags you have, how many people you're traveling with, and how much your time is worth at 5 AM.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | RTD A-Line | Shared Shuttle | Private SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (1 person) | $10.50 | $25–40 | $95–150 |
| Cost (4 people) | $42 | $100–160 | $95–150 total |
| Door-to-door time | 55–75 min | 45–90 min | 30–45 min |
| Door-to-door service | No (Union Station) | Shared stops | Yes |
| Luggage handling | Self-carry | Limited | Full service |
| Flight tracking | N/A | Some operators | Yes, real-time |
| 4 AM availability | Limited | Pre-book required | Yes, 24/7 |
| Child car seats | N/A | Rarely | On request |
| Wait time post-landing | 15–20 min (walk to station) | 15–30 min (shared loading) | 5–10 min (curbside meet) |
Arion figures are estimates based on our published hourly rates and are subject to change. Timing, routing, vehicle and seasonal rates all move the final quote. Send the date and headcount for a firm number.
The math nobody does
Solo traveler with a carry-on heading to Union Station? The A-Line is the obvious winner. $10.50, 37 minutes, done. No argument.
But change one variable. Add a suitcase, a tired kid, and a hotel in Cherry Creek instead of Union Station. Now you're taking the A-Line to Union Station, then a rideshare from Union Station to your hotel. Total cost: $10.50 + $15–25 rideshare = $25–35. Total time: 55–75 minutes. Total hassle: moderate.
A private SUV picks you up curbside at DIA, loads your bags, and drives you directly to your hotel. Roughly $230 for the whole car to downtown, an estimate subject to change. For four, it's $24–30 each — cheaper than the A-Line combo.
The 4 AM problem
The A-Line's first departure from DIA is 3:15 AM. Sounds early enough. But the last train to DIA from Union Station is 12:45 AM, with limited overnight frequency. If your flight departs at 6 AM and you need to be at the airport by 4:30 AM, you're either driving and paying $30/day parking, or booking a car service.
Private SUVs operate 24/7 with no schedule. 4 AM pickup from your driveway, flight-tracked arrival, and your car is waiting regardless of whether your 11 PM landing turns into a midnight arrival because of weather delays.
The family factor
Try loading two car seats onto an RTD train with three suitcases while holding a toddler's hand. The A-Line is wonderful infrastructure. It was not designed for families traveling with gear. A private SUV installs the car seats in advance — they're waiting when you land.
The Verdict
The A-Line is excellent for solo travelers heading to/from Union Station during normal hours. Shared shuttles work for budget-conscious solo travelers going to specific hotels. For groups of 2+, families with luggage, early-morning flights, or anyone who values their time, a private SUV is the most practical option — and often the most affordable per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the RTD A-Line faster than a private car from DIA?
The A-Line takes about 37 minutes to Union Station. A private car takes 30–45 minutes to most Denver-area destinations, door-to-door. If your destination is Union Station, the A-Line is comparable. If you're going anywhere else, the private car is usually faster because there's no transfer.
Do private car services track my flight?
Yes. Arion tracks flights in real-time and adjusts pickup timing to your actual landing. If your flight is delayed two hours, your driver adjusts without any action on your part — no rebooking, no calling to change the time.
Can I get a car seat in a private SUV from DIA?
Yes. Request child or infant car seats when booking, $25 per seat and $15 per booster, and the seat is in the vehicle waiting when you land. Colorado law puts the installation and the final safety check on the parent or guardian — your chauffeur will help and will never rush you at the curb, but you fit the seat and you confirm it.
What's the cheapest way to get from DIA to a ski resort?
For solo travelers, the Bustang or shared mountain shuttle is cheapest ($30–60 to ski areas). For groups of 3+, a private SUV or Sprinter van is one vehicle, one rate and door-to-door service, with luggage room for ski gear and no shared stops.
What do I actually get that a rideshare or shuttle does not?
A reserved vehicle held for your exact time, a named professional chauffeur, flat pre-quoted pricing with no surge, commercial insurance, flight tracking with automatic adjustment, door-to-door routing with no shared stops, and a dispatcher reachable at (970) 703-4995.
When is a shuttle or rental car the better choice?
A scheduled shuttle can win for a solo traveler with flexible timing and light luggage, and a rental makes sense if you plan daily independent driving in fair weather. Private service wins on group cost-per-person, winter I-70 conditions, late arrivals, event nights, and anything with a hard deadline.
Is private car service worth it for a group?
Usually. Because pricing is per vehicle, cost per person drops with every seat filled, and one vehicle removes parking, designated drivers, split-up arrivals, and post-event surge from the equation.
Which vehicle should I choose?
Match passengers plus luggage: Luxury Sedan for 1–3 with light bags, Executive SUV for up to 5 with luggage, Luxury SUV for up to 6 in captain's-chair comfort (5 from November 1 through April 30, when winter gear needs the sixth seat), Luxury Coach Van for 7–12 or full ski gear, Executive/Jet Van for VIP groups of 9, and buses for groups to 57. Groups too large for one vehicle run as a coordinated multi-vehicle fleet — including dedicated multi-day fleets — under a single Arion dispatch and one point of contact.
Are all vehicles AWD or 4WD for mountain travel?
Mountain-assigned SUVs and vans are AWD/4WD on winter-rated tires and carry chains, meeting Colorado's Traction Law. Luxury Sedans are assigned to Front Range and metro work in winter conditions.
Can I switch to a private vehicle after I land?
Sometimes, subject to fleet availability. Two hours' notice is the minimum for a standard booking between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., though a same-day request during ski season or a convention week can still run into a fleet that is already committed.
Last reviewed: September 13, 2026 by Arion dispatch. Rates, policies, travel times and Colorado Department of Transportation rules are subject to change; call (970) 703-4995 for current details.
Sources
Regulations, figures, and schedules on this page come from the operators and agencies that publish them. Check them yourself:
Land. Walk out. Get in.
Flight-tracked pickups. Rate confirmed at booking. Your car is waiting at DIA — always.