Car rental at Denver International Airport ??
 

I will be flying into Denver and need to rent a car. Are there any car rental companies inside the airport or do they all require a shuttle ride to an off-airport site?

We usually go Hertz (have a gold card so our car is ready for us -- worth $25/year through AAA to us). My son has one through Budget (I think). I did notice that they have car rental booths inside the concourse, but we bypassed them and followed the signs (which ended up being by the baggage claim area) to the shuttles. Was a very easy process and easy exit out of the airport area. FYI -- It was the highest we have ever paid for picking the car up at the airport, if you have another option.

They are all off-site but close to the airport.

Thank you,....boy are you right, I've never paid so much for a Ford Focus rental car !! I wonder why Denver is so expensive ? So much for the poor economy.

As I recall, all the car rental companies with desks in the terminal have their fleets a mile or two away, but still on airport property, isolated from anythng else on the very long road out of the airport grounds. (I was there 3 or 4 years ago, so things might have changed.)

It's the airport taxes. You can save about half by renting off airport. Some locations will even pick you up at your hotel and take you to their car rental office. I did this last summer and saved a bundle.

<b>I wonder why Denver is so expensive ?</b>

Here's a recent article from the <i>New York Times</i> discussing the high cost of rental cars in general, basically saying costs have risen 73% in a year, and giving some explanations: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/28/travel/28prac.html?em

As for Denver specifically, my wife was pricing cars at Denver and Colorado Springs for an upcoming trip (she could have flown to either airport) and the best rates at the Springs were less than half for the same car from the same company as at Denver. So she flew into the Springs.

If you shop well you can get car rentals at DIA very reasonably--unless it is during the Stock Show or something like that.
I recommend looking on Hotwire for your dates. The final price they give you (without your having to accept it) will give you the amount of taxes/surcharge. Then go bid on Priceline. It can be very reasonable.
It is easy to get to the car lots. I have waited longest for Avis (a Hotwire rental) because of the long lines. The companies like Enterprise, etc. drop you at your car. Very nice service.
I have usually saved at least 50% over what Expedia, etc. might quote.

all the car companies have desks in the terminal and then you take a very quick shuttle to the lot which is on the airport grounds but a mile or so away. very easy to use.