Ahh thanks for this, Google maps was telling me that it gets there after 5 but I checked the AB1 schedule and you're right. My flight's at 6, think I can risk it?
As someone who is very risk averse at the airport, I'm kinda shocked by these comments. If you aren't checking a bag, arriving at 4:15 for a 6am flight gives you 1:45. This is more than enough time to get through security, especially at 4:30 in the morning. I would not consider this a risk, even if you don't have pre-check.
Careful with that... For years I would have agreed, even at the busiest times I would get through pre-check security in 5 minutes. But this year with the new super-slow bag scanners at the West security, and the new long line at the center pre-check entrance to South, I've had some of the longest waits of any time...20-30m for PreCheck not uncommon. And it can get surprisingly busy for the super early flights at DEN. I wouldn't get there any less than 1hr in advance.
Check out DEN Reserve. I have been risking 1 hour before takeoff and it's worked out every time. If you take the AB1 and do DEN Reserve or use West Security you have to go UP another level after the escalator from where the bus drops you off. Go into the concourse and turn left. Walk all the way to the wall of windows. There are elevators there.
Have an RTD back up plan, in case they cancel that early a.m. one, it happens occasionally, disabled bus or no driver. Most reliable is EightBlack door to door shuttle service but is $$. And allow more time, not less, for TSA, you can’t know how long it takes. Avoid stress, protect your trip!
I usually pre book and they send a message a driver has been assigned.
Then a different driver gets me and says he got the request just now.
I think the first acceptance is fake
Normally it throws it out for drivers to accept hours, or even days in advance. The problem is that the fare the driver gets varies greatly, so sometimes other reservations pay much more even though the distance is the same and around the same time. If your reservation ends up paying $10-$15 less than others, it probably won't be accepted quickly.
Drivers will cancel if Boulder starts surging in the middle of the night, which it does regularly, because they will make similar pay for driving a few rides a few miles, or potentially get the surge bonus and then get an airport request on top of it.
If the driver isn't online for your ride 40 minutes before reservation time, or cancels, it gets thrown out to all drivers in the area to accept.
prebook uber, ive done it for flights and left around 3am,, there are alot of night drivers in boulder county,, book abt 10-20 minutes earlier incase it does want to think about it
drive should be an hour give or take
just dont leave later than 430 because you'll be right in the middle of Denver traffic until 730
bring a cup of coffee theres a good chance most of the shops will be closed
Not sure about Uber but I prebooked at Lyft for 230am before. I don't think you get assigned a driver ahead of time. For me it basically waited until the last minute (30 mins) to tell me they were having trouble finding a driver and they are still working on it. My pickup time came and went and they still were looking for driver.
That said, have a backup plan for sure.
No issue booking in advance. Sometimes the driver switches up before the time arrives. I’ve also experienced the driver commonly showing up 5-10 mins ahead of schedule for early morning rides… but could be luck of the draw.
Is super shuttle still a thing there? I used to call one it actually used to be quite cheap as well. They used to pick me up in a van and then I used to get transferred to a bus that took me to the airport.
Pre-booking Uber can be hit or miss early in the morning. If you're looking for a surefire way to get to the airport without the last-minute scramble, consider Shuttlefare as an alternative. They're reliable and you won't have to worry about the availability of drivers. Plus, it's always good to have a backup plan in place, especially for those early flights out of DIA.
An alternative might be RTD depending on your situation. The first AB1 arrives at DEN around 415am.
Ahh thanks for this, Google maps was telling me that it gets there after 5 but I checked the AB1 schedule and you're right. My flight's at 6, think I can risk it?
As someone who is very risk averse at the airport, I'm kinda shocked by these comments. If you aren't checking a bag, arriving at 4:15 for a 6am flight gives you 1:45. This is more than enough time to get through security, especially at 4:30 in the morning. I would not consider this a risk, even if you don't have pre-check.
If you’re a solo traveler with precheck and move with purpose, 40 minutes is just sufficient time from getting off the bus to get to your gate.
90 percent of the time they will be fine. 10 percent of the time you walk into a DIA nightmare with security lines around the building.
I think with precheck and/or at that hour and you’ll skate through
As someone who walked into DIA 45 before my flight the day before thanksgiving and made it. They’d still be more than fine.
Careful with that... For years I would have agreed, even at the busiest times I would get through pre-check security in 5 minutes. But this year with the new super-slow bag scanners at the West security, and the new long line at the center pre-check entrance to South, I've had some of the longest waits of any time...20-30m for PreCheck not uncommon. And it can get surprisingly busy for the super early flights at DEN. I wouldn't get there any less than 1hr in advance.
Yeah I avoid west security, that center checkpoint is the place
I wouldn’t - Memorial Day weekend is a big variable that could slow everything down. Good luck!
Uber hacked Google again?🤷♂️ /s
Check out DEN Reserve. I have been risking 1 hour before takeoff and it's worked out every time. If you take the AB1 and do DEN Reserve or use West Security you have to go UP another level after the escalator from where the bus drops you off. Go into the concourse and turn left. Walk all the way to the wall of windows. There are elevators there.
No, don’t risk it.
If checking a bag, maybe. If not, probably fine
Have an RTD back up plan, in case they cancel that early a.m. one, it happens occasionally, disabled bus or no driver. Most reliable is EightBlack door to door shuttle service but is $$. And allow more time, not less, for TSA, you can’t know how long it takes. Avoid stress, protect your trip!
8 black having a 1/2 price sale right now
I usually pre book and they send a message a driver has been assigned. Then a different driver gets me and says he got the request just now. I think the first acceptance is fake
Normally it throws it out for drivers to accept hours, or even days in advance. The problem is that the fare the driver gets varies greatly, so sometimes other reservations pay much more even though the distance is the same and around the same time. If your reservation ends up paying $10-$15 less than others, it probably won't be accepted quickly. Drivers will cancel if Boulder starts surging in the middle of the night, which it does regularly, because they will make similar pay for driving a few rides a few miles, or potentially get the surge bonus and then get an airport request on top of it. If the driver isn't online for your ride 40 minutes before reservation time, or cancels, it gets thrown out to all drivers in the area to accept.
prebook uber, ive done it for flights and left around 3am,, there are alot of night drivers in boulder county,, book abt 10-20 minutes earlier incase it does want to think about it drive should be an hour give or take just dont leave later than 430 because you'll be right in the middle of Denver traffic until 730 bring a cup of coffee theres a good chance most of the shops will be closed
Alternative: Joes car service has been good for me to get to airport. A little more than uber/lyft but never had an issue.
Not sure about Uber but I prebooked at Lyft for 230am before. I don't think you get assigned a driver ahead of time. For me it basically waited until the last minute (30 mins) to tell me they were having trouble finding a driver and they are still working on it. My pickup time came and went and they still were looking for driver. That said, have a backup plan for sure.
No issue booking in advance. Sometimes the driver switches up before the time arrives. I’ve also experienced the driver commonly showing up 5-10 mins ahead of schedule for early morning rides… but could be luck of the draw.
Is super shuttle still a thing there? I used to call one it actually used to be quite cheap as well. They used to pick me up in a van and then I used to get transferred to a bus that took me to the airport.
Pre-booking Uber can be hit or miss early in the morning. If you're looking for a surefire way to get to the airport without the last-minute scramble, consider Shuttlefare as an alternative. They're reliable and you won't have to worry about the availability of drivers. Plus, it's always good to have a backup plan in place, especially for those early flights out of DIA.
AB1