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Getting Around
Denver has a light rail and commuter rail network called RTD that connects the airport, downtown, and many suburbs, with the University of Colorado A Line running directly from Denver International Airport to Union Station in under 40 minutes. Rideshare services are widely available throughout the city, and a free shuttle bus runs the length of the 16th Street Mall connecting major downtown stops.
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Cash or Card
Denver is a highly card-friendly city and the vast majority of restaurants, shops, and attractions accept contactless and chip payments without hesitation. Cash is still useful for smaller food trucks, farmers markets, and tipping at casual spots, so keeping a modest amount on hand is sensible, but it is rarely a necessity in the main visitor areas.
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Good to Know
Denver residents take their outdoor lifestyle seriously and expect visitors to respect trail etiquette, leash laws in parks, and the unspoken rule that you yield to uphill hikers. The altitude affects everyone differently and newcomers are wise to hydrate aggressively, limit alcohol on the first day, and not assume their sea-level fitness will carry them through a first hike without adjustment.
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ATMs
ATMs are widely available throughout Denver at banks, convenience stores, hotels, and grocery stores, with Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America having the largest presence across the city. Foreign transaction fees vary by home bank, so checking with your card provider before travel is advisable, and airport ATMs at Denver International typically carry higher surcharge fees than those in the city center.
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Currency
The currency in Denver and throughout the United States is the US Dollar, abbreviated USD and symbolized as $, divided into 100 cents. Bills come in denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, and it is worth carrying some smaller bills for tipping at coffee shops, food trucks, and casual restaurants where digital tip prompts are not always offered.
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Plugs
Type A and Type B outlets, 120V at 60Hz. Visitors from Europe, Australia, and Asia will need a voltage converter as well as a plug adapter for their devices.
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Safety
Denver's downtown and popular neighborhoods including LoDo, Capitol Hill, and Cherry Creek are generally safe and well-trafficked during the day and evening, though like many American cities some areas around the 16th Street Mall and Civic Center Park warrant standard urban awareness after dark. Visitors should keep an eye on belongings in crowded public spaces and be aware that weather can shift rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms arriving fast in summer and sudden temperature drops in winter.
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Airports
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the United States and serves as a major hub for United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, with direct international connections to London, Cancun, Tokyo, and beyond. The airport is located approximately 40 km northeast of downtown Denver and is well served by the A Line train directly into Union Station, making it one of the more seamless airport-to-city connections in the country.