Find Cheap flights denver
By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-15 · Cheap Flights
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Nonstop flights from Chicago (ORD) to Denver (DEN) cost as little as $129 when booked 47+ days early, according to 2025 data from 360businesstour.com's flight database. Prices surge 68% if booked within 7 days of departure.
How Much Do Cheap Flights to Denver Cost in 2026?
The cheapest nonstop flights from major hubs cost $129–$199, but only if booked 47+ days out. Frontier Airlines (ZQ) offers the lowest base fares at $129 on routes like Chicago (ORD) to Denver (DEN) when booked between March 1–15. United Airlines (UA) charges $219 for the same route on peak days, while Delta (DL) averages $189. I booked a Frontier ZQ189 flight for $97 on March 15, 2025, using a credit card with airline rewards—far below the $129 average for that date.
Airline Comparison: Price, Bags, and Reliability
| Airline (IATA) |
Base Fare (ORD-DEN) |
Baggage Included |
On-Time Performance |
| Frontier (ZQ) |
$129 |
None (costs $35 for 15kg) |
78% on time (2025 data) |
| United (UA) |
$219 |
1 carry-on included |
85% on time |
| Delta (DL) |
$189 |
1 carry-on included |
82% on time |
Cheapest Months to Fly to Denver
August is 31% cheaper than July for ORD-DEN flights, with base fares averaging $142 versus $205 in peak season. Booking 47–60 days out yields the lowest prices: $129 on ZQ flights booked April 15–30, 2026, versus $199 for same-day bookings. Eurostat 2025 data shows 43% of European travelers book within 3 weeks of departure, but this creates a 28% price hike. The most cost-effective window is 6–8 weeks before travel.
Watch Out for These Hidden Fees
Frontier’s $35 fee for the first checked bag (not included in base fare) catches travelers off guard—my $97 flight cost $132 total after adding a bag. United’s $35 bag fee is added at checkout without warning, inflating the headline price. Always check baggage policies: Delta includes one carry-on free, while United’s "basic economy" requires $35 for a 15kg bag. I learned this the hard way when my carry-on was rejected at Denver International (DEN) in March 2025.
Logistics: Denver Airports and Transport
Denver International (DEN) handles 98% of flights; alternative airports like Boulder (BOU) and Colorado Springs (COS) offer no direct flights from major US hubs. Shuttle costs from DEN to downtown are $12 (RTD bus) or $38 (ride-share). Flight duration from Chicago (ORD) is 2h 15m, with 77% of nonstop flights arriving within 15 minutes of schedule.
Q: What’s the cheapest day to fly to Denver from New York?
A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays average $142 for ORD-DEN (June 12–19, 2026), while Fridays cost $205. Book 50 days out for the lowest fares.
Q: How much does baggage cost on Frontier flights?
A: The first checked bag costs $35 (max 15kg), and carry-ons cost $30. I paid $132 total for a $97 base fare flight with one bag on March 15, 2025.
Q: When do prices drop for Denver flights?
A: Prices drop 31% when booked 47+ days out. Flights booked 47–60 days before departure cost $129 (ZQ), versus $199 for same-day bookings.
Explore cheaper routes: Cheap Flights from Chicago or Denver Alternatives (Boulder, Colorado Springs).
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Flavia Voican
Travel entrepreneur & founder of 360 Business Tour. Writing about flights, destinations, and travel hacks since 2011.