What is the lowest car rental price at Denver Airport?

Reported low-end rates across booking platforms range from about $28 to $35 per day for economy vehicles, though availability at these rates is limited and changes daily based on demand.

What is the average daily cost of a rental car at DEN?

Average daily rates run from roughly $46 for a medium/compact car up to $145 or more for larger SUVs, before mandatory fees and taxes are added.

How much do airport fees add to a Denver car rental?

Mandatory fees, including the concession recovery fee, customer facility charge, and state and city taxes, commonly add 20 to 25 percent to the quoted daily rate.

When is the cheapest time to rent a car at Denver Airport?

October and November are commonly reported as the lowest-priced months, while summer and major holiday periods see the highest average rates.

Where do I pick up my rental car at DEN?

Rental counters and vehicles are located at the Pikes Peak Shuttle Center, reached by a free shuttle from Level 5 (Ground Transportation) at the terminal.

Is it cheaper to rent a car outside the airport in Denver?

Off-airport locations in the city or nearby suburbs can offer lower rates, particularly for longer rentals, but the 30- to 40-minute drive from DEN generally offsets the savings for short trips.

Do I need to buy insurance at the rental counter?

Not necessarily. Many personal auto insurance policies and credit cards already provide rental car coverage, which can make the counter’s insurance optional. Checking your existing coverage before declining or accepting is recommended.

What is the minimum age to rent a car at Denver Airport?

Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 or 25 years old, with a young driver surcharge commonly applied to renters under 25.

Lowest Car Rental Denver Airport: Prices, Deals & Useful Tips

Car rental rates at Denver International Airport (DEN) typically range from $28 to $97 per day, depending on vehicle class, season, and how far in advance the booking is made. Economy and compact cars average $50 to $75 per day, while SUVs average $95 to $150 per day. Mandatory airport fees add roughly 20 to 25 percent on top of the quoted daily rate, so the total cost is higher than the displayed price.

Lowest Car Rental Denver Airport: Booking Window, Average Prices, and Helpful Tips

Denver Airport Car Rental Pricing by Vehicle Class

Prices vary by search engine, booking date, and season. The table reflects the price range across multiple booking platforms.

Vehicle Class	Typical Daily Rate	Lowest Reported Rate
Economy and Small	$31 - $51	From $28
Medium and Compact	$46 - $55	From $30
SUV	$49 - $150	From $46
Premium	$49 - $75	From $35
Large and Full-Size	$58 - $75	From $39

SUVs are the most frequently booked vehicle class at DEN, led by models such as the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4. October and November are commonly reported as the lowest-priced months, while summer months and major holiday periods carry the highest rates.

Denver Airport Rental Car Deals

Vehicle	Category	Company	Total Price
Nissan Rogue	Mid-size SUV	Routes Car Rental	$70
Jeep Wrangler	Speciality SUV	Routes Car Rental	$72
Toyota Corolla	Mid-size Car	Routes Car Rental	$74
Nissan Kicks	Compact SUV	Budget Car Rental DEN	$81
Jeep Grand Cherokee	Standard Elite SUV	Avis Car Rental DEN	$85
Chrysler Pacifica	Minivan	Enterprise Rent-A-Car DEN	$98
Ford Mustang Mach-E	Standard Elite Electric Crossover	Budget Car Rental DEN	$99
Nissan Kicks	Compact SUV	Nu Car Rentals DEN	$103
Chevy Trax	Compact SUV	Nu Car Rentals DEN	$103
Chevy Blazer	Standard Size SUV	Drive Rental Car	$110
Toyota Tacoma	Standard-size Pickup	Nu Car Rentals DEN	$114
Honda Odyssey	Standard-size Van	National Car Rental DEN	$117
Nissan Versa	Compact Car	Alamo Car Rental DEN	$122
Mazda CX-50	Mid-size SUV	Budget Car Rental DEN	$122

Mandatory Fees Added at Denver Airport

Quoted daily rates from rental companies and search engines do not include mandatory taxes and surcharges applied at DEN. These typically include:

Concession recovery fee: approximately 11.11 percent of the rental cost.
Customer facility charge: approximately $4 per day.
Colorado state tax: 2.9 percent.
Denver city tax: 4 percent.

Combined, these fees commonly add 20 to 25 percent to the general daily rate. A rental quoted at $50 per day can total $65 to $75 per day once all fees and taxes are included.

Rental Car Companies at Denver Airport

Approximately 26 to 30 rental car companies at Denver Airport and near it provide services, including major national brands and independent operators. Common names include Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Alamo, National, Ace, Thrifty, and Routes Car & Truck Rentals, along with several smaller independent companies. Independent and off-brand operators often post lower rates than major national brands, though vehicle condition, insurance requirements, and cancellation policies vary by company.

Picking Up a Rental Car at Denver Airport

On-airport rental counters are located off-site at the Pikes Peak Shuttle Center. Passengers take a free shuttle from Level 5 (Ground Transportation) of the DEN Jeppesen terminal, reached by going up from baggage claim rather than down. All major national brands and most independent companies operate from this shuttle center.

Off-Airport Alternatives

Denver International Airport is located approximately 25 miles from downtown Denver. Off-airport rental locations in the city or in nearby suburbs such as Aurora or Centennial can offer lower rates than airport counters, particularly for longer rentals, but require a 30- to 40-minute drive to reach and are generally not worth the added time for short trips.

Tips for Finding the Lowest Rate

These tips will help renters in selecting the most appropriate company at Denver Airport at the best possible rate.

Book about a week in advance: Rates are demand-based, and pricing several days to a week ahead of travel is commonly cited as producing lower fares than last-minute bookings.
Compare the all-in total: Mandatory fees vary less by company but still shift the final comparison; two quotes that look similar before fees can differ once taxes and surcharges are applied.
Decline prepaid fuel options: Refueling at a gas station a few miles from the return location is cheaper than most prepaid fuel plans in the large majority of cases.
Check existing coverage before buying counter insurance: Many credit cards and personal auto insurance policies already cover rental cars, which can make the rental company’s counter insurance unnecessary.
Compare multiple booking channels: Rates for the same vehicle class on the same dates can differ by 30 to 40 percent between the rental company’s own site, aggregator sites, and prepaid bookings.

All drivers must present a valid driver’s license issued by their home country or state. The minimum age to rent is typically 21 or 25, depending on the company, and drivers under 25 commonly pay a young driver surcharge. Rental companies generally request flight information at booking so pickup can be adjusted for delays.