Denver International Airport is one of the least accessible airports in the world, according to Global Gateway Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group.
between the world’s 30 busiest airports with those in the New York-New Jersey region, examining total travel time, cost and number of transfers it takes to arrive at the airport. Airports were then ranked on a scale of one to 100 points, with 100 being the best.
Denver tied for last place with only 30 points. DIA’s score suffered due to an average transit time of 53½ minutes, a cost between $6-$11 and having only one mode of mass transit — RTD bus — to access the airport.
This could soon be a moot point. Regional Transportation District rail service to the airport begins in 2016. That service, airport spokeswoman Laura Coale said, will connect passengers between Denver Union Station and the airport in 35 minutes.
“The train connection to downtown Denver was always a part of the original vision when the ‘new’ Denver airport was built 20 years ago,” Coale said.
Among the survey’s other findings:
• The top U.S. airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, ranking third along with Shanghai Pudong in China.
• Shanghai Pudong has the fastest travel time, due to a magnetic levitation train that covers 19 miles in six minutes.
