Overview
Denver, the Mile High City, sits exactly one mile above sea level where Colorado's high plains rise to meet the Rocky Mountains. It gives UK travellers a rare mix: a walkable, red-brick downtown full of craft breweries, galleries and sport, with world-class skiing and hiking barely an hour or two away. For current fares and how they move through the year, use the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Denver
Denver has a genuine four-season climate. Winter (December to March) is cold and reliably snowy, which is ideal if you are continuing to resorts such as Breckenridge, Vail or Keystone. Late spring and early autumn usually offer the best balance of mild weather, smaller crowds and softer fares; September is especially pleasant, with warm days and golden aspen. Summer is dry and warm but busy with hikers, while March and April are often the snowiest months on the plains. Check the When to book chart above to compare months.
Airlines and routes
British Airways operates the only year-round direct service, flying London Heathrow to Denver International in around 9 hours 30 minutes westbound and closer to 8 hours 30 on the return. United also flies the Heathrow to Denver route, with capacity that varies by season. From Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Glasgow you will normally connect: via Amsterdam with KLM, Frankfurt or Munich with Lufthansa, Dublin with Aer Lingus, Reykjavik with Icelandair, or a US hub such as Newark, Chicago or Washington with United, American or Delta. Allow roughly 12 to 15 hours in total for an indirect trip.
Things to do in Denver
Give the city a couple of days before or after the mountains.
- Rocky Mountain National Park: alpine lakes, wildlife and the Trail Ridge Road, about 1.5 to 2 hours' drive north-west via Estes Park.
- Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre: a dramatic natural concert venue and hiking spot just south-west of the city.
- Denver Art Museum: a landmark building with one of the finest collections of Indigenous American art anywhere.
- Denver Botanic Gardens: 24 acres of themed gardens near City Park, rewarding in every season.
- Union Station & LoDo: the restored 1914 station and the surrounding Lower Downtown district, the heart of Denver's dining and nightlife.
At Denver International Airport (DEN)
DEN lies about 25 miles (40 km) north-east of downtown. The simplest link is the University of Colorado A Line train, which runs roughly every 15 minutes to Union Station in about 37 minutes. Taxis and rideshare take 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Many mountain resorts run dedicated shuttle coaches from the terminal, and car hire is available on site if you plan to drive into the Rockies.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Denver
- Book around two to five months ahead; direct British Airways seats fill early and last-minute fares are rarely cheap.
- Fly midweek and avoid UK school holidays, the Christmas ski rush and the July to August peak.
- Use a flexible-date search and weigh a connecting flight from your local airport against a direct one from Heathrow.
- Set a price alert and watch the charts on this page so you can book when fares dip.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourism but must obtain an ESTA under the US Visa Waiver Programme before travelling; it allows stays of up to 90 days. Carry a passport valid for the length of your stay. The currency is the US dollar, card payments are almost universal, and tipping of 15 to 20% in restaurants is expected. No vaccinations are required, but comprehensive travel insurance with strong medical cover is essential given the cost of US healthcare. Take the altitude gently for the first day or two: drink plenty of water and go easy on alcohol.
