DENVER (KDVR) — In case you’re touring on Thanksgiving, good luck. Between individuals touring residence for the vacation and Denver Worldwide Airport being the third busiest airport on this planet, put together for a busy flight.
Thanksgiving is a very busy time of 12 months.
In 2019, 2021 and 2022, the Sunday after Thanksgiving was the busiest single day of the 12 months by way of U.S. passengers touring, primarily based on TSA passenger information.
The quantity of individuals on the airport received’t be the one factor that may sluggish you down. Listed below are some components at DIA that would influence your vacation journey.
Site visitors
Even with out vacation visitors, accidents can occur. This could intervene along with your timing and arrival on the airport.
Examine on visitors earlier than you go. FOX31 has an interactive journey map that exhibits journey speeds and delays. The Colorado Division of Transportation additionally has a journey web site. You’ll be able to obtain the app within the Apple Retailer or Google Play Retailer.
Parking
DIA parking might be expensive, particularly in the event you’re gone for a number of days. The parking storage prices $30 a day, whereas the financial system car parking zone prices $18 per day. Each take a couple of 5 to 10-minute stroll to the airport.
The shuttle is cheaper at $8 a day and takes you from the Pikes Peak Lot and Lengthy Peak Lot to the airport. The shuttle takes about 7 to 10 minutes. The lot at 61st and Peña additionally affords parking for $7 a day.
The parking shouldn’t add an excessive amount of time to your journey; nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll wish to take into account getting a trip to the airport or taking the RTD. The airport’s automobile theft charges have steadily elevated over the previous few years.
In response to Denver Police Division data, 2023 has seen extra auto thefts than ever round DIA. In the course of the first half of the 12 months, January by way of July, there have been 801 auto thefts within the 7-mile radius surrounding the airport.
Safety
The final rule is to present up on the airport two hours early. In case you’re touring close to Thanksgiving, you’ll most likely wish to present up even earlier.
DIA is infamous for lengthy traces at safety checkpoints. However that’s not at all times the case. Generally you breeze proper by way of. Different instances, the traces wrap all the way in which round to the luggage declare.
You’ll be able to test safety wait instances on-line, however these instances are solely an estimate. You can too reserve a spot in line by making a TSA appointment.
Even taking visitors, parking and safety out of the equation, there are nonetheless components that would sluggish you down. Between shifting by way of individuals, checking your bag and discovering the gate, there’s loads of alternative so that you can miss your flight.
Be sure to give your self sufficient time in the event you’re touring by way of DIA in the course of the holidays.
