Car Hire Denver Airport

Question

Hi We are flying in to Denver Airport but after a long flight don't want to pick up our hire car. Rather we will stay nearby overnight and collect the car the next day. We realise the cars are not at the airport so do we:

A) Have to physically go back to the actual airport terminal , arrange paperwork and then take a shuttle to collect the car

B) Is there an actual manned office where the cars are? We can get a taxi there rather than back to the airport terminal.

Any recommendations for best car hire company appreciated.

Answer

At Denver International Airport (DEN), the car rental process is slightly different than some other airports because the rental car facilities are not located inside the main terminal. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you can expect and your options:

How to pick up your rental car the next day:

All major car rental companies operate from the Denver Airport’s Rental Car Center (RCC), which is located a short distance from the terminal.
There is no staffed rental office inside the terminal itself. Instead, after booking your car online or in advance, you normally go to the RCC to complete the paperwork and pick up the vehicle.
If you are staying at a hotel near the airport overnight, you do not need to return to the main terminal first. You can take a taxi, rideshare, or hotel shuttle directly to the Rental Car Center to collect your car.
Once at the RCC, you will find manned counters for all rental agencies, so you can complete the paperwork in person, get your keys, and access your rental vehicle.

Practical tips for convenience:

Check if your hotel offers a shuttle to the Rental Car Center; some airport hotels provide this service.
Have your driver’s license, credit card, and reservation confirmation ready to make pickup smooth.
Denver Airport has a consolidated shuttle system that runs from the terminals to the RCC approximately every 5–10 minutes if you happen to be at the terminal instead of a hotel.
If you prefer to avoid shuttles entirely, a taxi or rideshare from your hotel directly to the RCC is straightforward and typically takes about 10–15 minutes depending on traffic.

Recommended car rental companies at DEN:

Enterprise Rent-A-Car – reliable service and often good pricing for longer rentals.
Hertz – wide selection of vehicles and convenient booking app.
Avis/Budget – often competitive rates and good for family-sized vehicles.
Alamo/National – popular for leisure travelers, often offers expedited service for members.

In summary, you do not need to return to the main terminal to pick up your car. You can travel directly from your nearby hotel to the Rental Car Center, complete your paperwork at the staffed counter, and drive off. Using a taxi or rideshare is perfectly fine, and some hotels may even offer direct shuttles to the rental facility.

Car Hire Denver Airport

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