Cheapest Time to Fly to Denver

We’ve created this article to teach you how to find low-cost fares and discover the cheapest times to fly to Denver, with a little help from Kiwi’s crafty flight hacks.

Table of Contents

Quick Answer

The cheapest times of year to fly to Denver are January, February, late April, and mid-September and October. To find low-cost flights to the ‘Mile High City,’ book midweek instead, when prices aren’t as high due to reduced demand. You should also try to buy your tickets 30 to 60 days before departure, as this window provides the best value for flights.

What Makes Denver Flight Prices Rise and Fall?

• Ski season: Colorado’s popular ski season runs from mid-November to mid-April. The state gets a lot of snow during these months, making it a great place for those who like to hit the slopes. As a result, more skiers fly in, which drives up demand.
• Summer: The main chunk of tourists visit Denver in the summer months, which are June, July, and August. Since the weather is good, many people like to come here for vacations, causing airfares to increase.
• Conferences: Similar to many big cities in America, Denver hosts its fair share of conferences, such as the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference. Expect plane tickets to cost more if there’s something on when you’re coming.
• Weather: If the weather is good, demand rises; when it’s bad, demand drops, and so do prices.
• Weekend demand: Flights tend to fill up faster on weekends, so they’re more expensive then, while the cheapest time to visit Denver is usually midweek.

Seasonal Airfare Trends to Denver

Denver isn’t like other places that get consistently nice weather year-round. The seasons here can be extreme. Between winter blizzards and sunny yet stormy summers, it’s a lot to figure out.

Winter is unique in that there’s quite a demand for flights because of the skiing opportunities, but it also deters some people since it’s way too cold. Sometimes, temperatures can drop as low as -7°C. For this reason, prices can be wildly unpredictable.

Summer is the most expensive time to visit Denver. You know how it is with us travelers. We want the sun, and the summer months provide it here, with temperatures sometimes reaching 34°C.

When I travel, I prefer to go during the shoulder seasons instead. The crowds are minimal, the weather is decent, and it’s more affordable, and Denver offers all of that in April to May and September to October. It’s also the cheapest time to fly to Denver.

Monthly Breakdown: Cheapest Months to Fly to Denver

Our research shows that the cheapest months to fly to Denver, Colorado, are January, February, late April, early May, September, and early October. There isn’t as much demand around then compared to the peak ski or hiking seasons. But what does that come down to?

Well, January and February are often too chilly for the average traveler, which naturally puts a lot of people off. April and May don’t quite offer the same level of sunshine that you get in summer, and the same goes for September and October, so they’re considered more transitional months. Moreover, you also need to factor in that fewer people tend to take time off during these periods.

Weekly and Daily Pricing Patterns

If you want cheap flights to the USA , including to Denver, you should travel between Tuesday and Thursday. That’s just how it is. Carriers know that demand is going to be lower on these days because people are working and don’t have as much time to spare as they would on, say, a Saturday.

Let’s look at the figures. There’s a flight from Istanbul to Denver with United Airlines that includes a layover in Frankfurt. If you take that flight on a Wednesday, it costs €677. Then, if you switch to a Saturday, that same flight costs €1,523. Pretty insane, right? And if that weekend happens to fall on a holiday or during an event, fares could go up even more. It’s clear that traveling during the week is the cheapest time to fly to Denver.

Best Time to Book Flights to Denver

To score cheap flight deals to Denver, you’ll need to book about 30 to 60 days in advance. Outside this window, airlines charge higher prices to make extra profit from travelers who are more likely to buy at the last minute or very early. These groups usually have fixed travel dates, which makes their booking behavior easier for airlines to predict. That’s why the 30 to 60-day window is the best time to book flights to Denver. By that point, carriers have made money off the early demand, and prices are beginning to level out.

Sometimes there can be other price drops as well, especially if an airline runs a sale or is struggling to fill seats closer to departure. These deals are never really around for too long, so they’re easy to miss unless you use our price alerts feature to receive updates.

Common Booking Mistakes That Raise Denver Airfare

One of the big things we always see is that travelers book their flights to Denver way too early. Sometimes, they do it 3 to 6 months out. This is the worst time because you haven’t even given flights a chance to drop in price. Just be patient, hold off until 30 to 60 days before departure, and you’ll get the price you want.

Popular travel days like Friday, Saturday, and Sunday should be avoided at all costs. Most flights on these days sell out, so unless you find a good deal, it’s not worth spending extra unless you have to. Stick to Tuesday to Thursday if you want to find great prices.

It’s crazy that so many people never look into alternative airports. They’re well worth considering, especially if there’s an event going on in the city. By ignoring them, you could miss cheap fares, but if you book to somewhere like Colorado Springs, you could save a fortune.

Many people also forget to look into the peak ski weeks before traveling in winter, particularly around Christmas and New Year’s. When everyone has time off, people tend to travel during this period, so it isn’t the best time to fly to Denver. Instead, wait until January, when more people are back at work.

Cheapest Airport Alternatives to Denver International (DEN)

Denver International Airport might be the main hub in the region, but it’s not your only option. While it’s very convenient, depending on where you’re flying from, it might not be the cheapest option when you compare routes on our flight search app . It’s definitely worth considering more budget-friendly alternatives like Colorado Springs (COS). Cheyenne (CYS) is another option, too, although flight connections there can be a bit more limited.

For example, if you’re flying from Leonardo da Vinci International Airport to Denver, summer fares can sometimes exceed €800. However, if you choose to fly into Colorado Springs instead, you could save up to €200 if you time it right. These savings can sometimes even be found at the cheapest times to fly to Denver, Colorado.

Sample Budget-Friendly Denver Itinerary for the Cheapest Months

Day 1: Your first day should be about squeezing in all the classics, like the Denver Union Station with its Beaux-Arts design. Then head over to the River North Art District to see some cool street art, and pop by the Denver Central Market for some budget bites. At night, Larimer Square always has a great atmosphere, with a bunch of bars and eateries to cap off the day.

Day 2: It’s time to see what Denver’s great outdoors is all about. Take to the trails in Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a show at the open-air venue. After you get back to the city, indulge in some great-value Mexican fare at Illegal Pete’s LoDo and get lost in City Park.

Day 3: Book onto one of the Colorado State Capitol tours for free and soak up the magnificence of its white granite design. Given that you’ll be visiting during the cheapest times to go to Denver, you shouldn’t have any issue getting a spot. If you’re a fan of literature, be sure to pop into the Denver Central Library and the Tattered Cover Book Store. Or you could head to Hammond’s Candies for insight into how they cater to the sweet tooth of the people of Denver.

Off-Peak Denver Travel Tips

Once your cheap flights to the USA are booked and secured, you then have to figure out how you’ll save money once you’re there. Follow these tips!

• Free hiking: It doesn’t cost anything to hit the trails and get out into nature. Clear Creek Canyon Park and the Manitou Springs Incline are great spots near the city that don’t charge an entry fee.
• Public transport: Buses and the city’s light rail are great budget-friendly modes of transport in Denver. To use them, it’s best to buy an RTD pass, which is valid for 3 hours for $2.75 (€2.35), or a full-day pass for $5.50 (€4.69).
• Discounted museums: Some museums, like the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, offer free admission on certain days, including the cheapest times to visit Denver. For a full list, see this website .
• Free events: The official Visit Denver website has an entire section for free events in the city. All you need to do is put in your dates and see what’s on while you’re here.

Unlock Hidden Denver Flight Savings with Kiwi.com

Enough of us telling you that Kiwi is the go-to solution for finding the cheapest times to go to Denver. Now we’re going to show you how we actually do it.

You’ve probably already seen on our website how we combine multiple flights into one itinerary using a few different airlines. This is called virtual interlining. It can bring the cost of airfares down more than you’d expect. For example, if you fly from Reykjavik to Denver using both WestJet and Sun Country Airlines, it might cost around €391. But if you go direct with Icelandair, that price can jump up to €557.

Another situation you might be familiar with is watching a flight and checking back every few days to see how the price changes. Then one day, you notice it’s gone up by €100 to €200. What you probably didn’t see were the smaller price drops in between. You wouldn’t miss those if you had price alerts activated. These give you real-time notifications for every price change, so you can book at the right moment.

Something else that’s pretty useful is checking flights to Denver for your chosen dates and then comparing them with a few days before or after. When you play around with the dates, you can sometimes find better deals. We call this trick flexible flight searches.

Ready to plan your cheapest trip to Denver?

Unlocking cheap flight deals to Denver can easily be done with our tools and tricks. We’re all about flying in the off-season, staying flexible, and keeping an eye on ticket prices with price alerts. Avoid high-season travel, or you’ll end up paying a lot more compared to the cheapest times to fly to Denver.

Denver’s peaks and cosmopolitan streets won’t wait forever!

Cheapest Time to Fly to Denver FAQs

Need cheap flights to Denver fast? Here’s what actually works

What month is the cheapest to fly to Denver?

January is usually the cheapest month to visit, as it comes right after the Christmas period, and it’s also very snowy. Unless you’re going skiing, it may not suit you. February, late April, early May, September, and early October are other more affordable times to visit.

What day of the week has the lowest airfare to Denver?

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are all known for their low fares to Denver. The cheapest day among these will really depend on seat availability, so check them all out rather than focusing on just one.

How far in advance should I book Denver flights for the best price?

You should book your flights to Denver 30 to 60 days in advance if you want to get the best price. Otherwise, you’ll pay more, like the early birds and latecomers, when tickets are often more expensive.

Is Denver cheaper to visit in winter or summer?

Usually, winter is cheaper than summer since mainly skiers visit the city during that time, whereas in summer it’s the main tourist season. Think about it, you have to compete for flight tickets with hikers, city breakers, conference-goers, and those visiting family.

Are last-minute flights to Denver ever cheap?

Sometimes, in situations where a carrier like American Airlines has seats left close to the departure date, they may bring fares down a day or two before departure to fill the remaining spots.

Does the weather affect flight prices to Denver?

Of course it does, especially in winter. Denver can experience snowstorms, which may cause flight cancellations. When that happens, other airlines may increase their prices on certain routes if one has been canceled.

Why are Denver flights so expensive during ski season?

Because carriers know skiers are willing to spend more to travel during the season. It’s a sport that can only be enjoyed at certain times of the year, and airlines take advantage of that by raising prices, knowing demand will remain high.

Are flight-and-hotel packages cheaper for Denver trips?

They can be, especially if travel agencies partner with airlines and hotels, as they can buy inventory in bulk and sometimes offer lower prices. However, they often add their own commissions, which is common with ski holidays. It’s best to calculate the total cost yourself if you were to book everything separately, and then compare it with the package price.

What time of day is cheapest to fly to Denver?

Morning flights to Denver are often the cheapest, as demand tends to be lower earlier in the day. It’s less convenient for many people because it can disrupt schedules, so travelers often choose to pay more for late morning or midday flights instead.

How can I save the most on my Denver flight?

By using a combination of Kiwi’s flight hacks. From price alerts, which let you track fare changes in real time, to flexible date searches that show you the cheapest days to fly, Kiwi offers plenty of ways to help you save money.