Phoenix to Denver

Compare Phoenix (PHX) to Denver (DEN) airfare across Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit, track fare trends on one of the busiest short-haul routes in the Mountain West, and trade the desert for the Rockies in about 1 hour 50 minutes.

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Route

PHX–DEN

Distance

969 KM

Flight Time

1H 50M

Weekly Flights

130+

Fares From

$39

Carriers

WN · UA · F9 · NK

Compare & Book

Cheap Flights from Phoenix to Denver — Compare Our Best Deals

With 130+ nonstop weekly departures, Phoenix to Denver is one of the busiest short-haul routes in the Mountain West, anchored by two of United and Frontier’s hub cities. Browse one-way fares from $39, round-trip fares from $69, and compare Southwest’s high-frequency schedule against United, Frontier, and Spirit.

PHX Phoenix ✈ DEN Denver
One Way

$39

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · Southwest, United, Frontier, Spirit

PHX Phoenix ✈ DEN Denver
Round Trip

$69

per person, incl. taxes · nonstop · Southwest, United, Frontier, Spirit

Who Flies This Route

Airlines with Flights from Phoenix to Denver

PHX–DEN runs nonstop on four carriers at near-hourly frequency, one of the most competitively priced short routes in the region.

AirlineBase / HubWeekly DeparturesFlight TimeCode
Southwest AirlinesPhoenix (PHX) base~45 nonstop1h 45m – 1h 55mWN
United AirlinesDenver (DEN) hub~35 nonstop1h 50mUA
Frontier AirlinesDenver (DEN) hub~30 nonstop1h 50mF9
Spirit AirlinesMulti-hub network~14 nonstop1h 55mNK
Route Insights

Cheap Flights from Phoenix to Denver — Direct Flights, Duration & Best Travel Time

Data-backed insights on the PHX–DEN route to help you book smarter and time your trip well.

19

Daily Flights

Sept

Cheapest Month

1h 51m

Avg. Flight Duration

Dec

Peak Season

602 mi

Distance

100%

Nonstop Flights

What’s the cheapest day to fly PHX → DEN?
 
Fare history shows Tuesday and Wednesday departures run cheapest, while Friday and Sunday run highest as ski-season and weekend traffic both peak.
What’s the cheapest month to fly?
 
September tends to run cheapest in the shoulder season, while December — peak ski season and winter holidays — sees the steepest average prices.
Good To Know

Insights About Flying from Phoenix to Denver

Which is the high season to travel from Phoenix to Denver?
 
December through February is peak season, as ski-season travelers head to Colorado’s mountain resorts — expect higher fares and fuller flights.
Which is the low season to travel from Phoenix to Denver?
 
September is typically the low season, offering the best combination of availability and price on this year-round route.
How many daily flights are there between PHX and DEN?
 
There are roughly 19 nonstop flights per day between Phoenix and Denver, spread across Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit.
Which is the busiest day for passengers on this route?
 
Friday is typically busiest, as ski-season weekend travelers and business commuters both fly in.
 
At what time does the last flight depart to Denver?
 
The last nonstop flight typically departs Phoenix between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM, depending on the carrier.
At what time does the earliest flight depart from Phoenix?
 
The earliest nonstop departure leaves PHX around 6:00 AM, landing in Denver by mid-morning local time.
The earliest nonstop departure leaves PHX around 6:00 AM, landing in Denver by mid-morning local time.
What share of travelers are heading to ski resorts?
 
An estimated 20% of winter PHX–DEN flyers are connecting onward to Colorado ski resorts like Vail, Aspen, or Breckenridge via Denver.
What percentage of travelers booked business class?
 
Around 6% of travelers book United’s premium cabin on this route — the other three carriers don’t offer one.
Why Denver

Why Fly to Denver from Phoenix?

Denver is the gateway to the Rockies — a walkable, craft-beer-heavy downtown backed by some of the best skiing and hiking in the country.

01

Rocky Mountain Gateway

Denver International sits about an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park and within reach of world-class ski resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen.

02

LoDo & Larimer Square

Denver’s historic Lower Downtown district blends restored Victorian-era buildings with breweries, rooftop bars, and Coors Field.

03

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

One of the most famous concert venues in the world, carved into red sandstone formations about 30 minutes from downtown.

04

Denver Art Museum

A striking architectural landmark housing one of the largest collections of American Indian art in the country.

05

Denver’s Craft Beer Scene

With one of the highest breweries-per-capita rates in the U.S., Denver has become a genuine craft beer destination in its own right.

 

06

Winter Ski Season

For Phoenix skiers, Denver remains the fastest way to reach Colorado’s famed resorts — the driving factor behind this route’s December–February peak.

— Airport Guide

PHX & DEN — Quick Facts

Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

ICAO Code
KPHX

Distance to Downtown Minneapolis

~5 km E
Terminals
3

Known For

Scottsdale, Tempe, the Valley

Transit to Downtown

No DST — matches MT in winter only

Time Zone

Mountain Standard (year-round)

Denver International

ICAO Code

KDEN

Distance to the Strip

~40 km NE
Terminals

1 (A/B/C concourses)

Known For

~37 min, A Line commuter rail

Taxi to the Strip

One of the largest airports by land area in the U.S.

Time Zone

Mountain (MT)
— Save More

How to Find the Cheapest Phoenix–Denver Fares

01

Book 3–5 Weeks Ahead for Winter Travel

Seasonal ski demand pushes fares up fast in peak winter months — book further out than you would in shoulder season.

02

Fly Tuesday or Wednesday

Midweek departures are consistently cheaper than Friday or Sunday flights during peak winter travel periods.

03

Compare All Four Carriers

Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit all fly nonstop at high frequency — price out bags and seat selection on each before booking.

 

04

Travel in Shoulder Season

September and early October typically offer the best combination of price and availability before winter demand kicks in.

05

Set a Fare Alert

Winter capacity fills quickly on this route — an alert catches fare drops early, before peak-season pricing sets in.

06

Book Early for Ski Season

December through February sees the highest average fares as Colorado ski travel peaks — book well ahead if your trip lines up with resort season.

Frequently Asked Questions

For winter travel, aim to book 3–5 weeks ahead as ski-season demand fills seats early. Shoulder-season trips have more flexibility.

Southwest and United together operate the majority of nonstop flights, with Frontier and Spirit adding budget-focused options.

United operates the most nonstop flights as part of its Denver hub network, with JetBlue close behind from its Boston focus city.

Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost fares are the most restrictive. United's standard fares and Southwest offer more flexibility; always check fare rules at checkout.

Book 3–5 weeks ahead, fly midweek, compare all four carriers, and travel in shoulder months like September if your dates are flexible.
Yes — Denver is the primary air gateway to Colorado's ski resorts, and this route sees some of its highest demand and fares during ski season from December through February.

The Complete Guide

Everything to Know About Cheap Flights from Phoenix to Denver

What to Expect
A Busy, Competitively Priced Short-Haul

At just over 600 miles, Phoenix to Denver is one of the busiest Mountain West routes, with nearly 20 daily departures across four carriers. Demand and fares both rise through the winter as ski-season travel peaks.

Budget Tips
What You’ll Actually Pay

One-way fares typically start around $39 and round-trips from $69, among the lower price points in this guide thanks to heavy competition. Prices rise through peak winter and ease in shoulder months.

Booking Advice
Read the Fare Rules First

Frontier and Spirit’s ultra-low base fares often exclude checked bags, carry-ons, and seat selection. Tally those extras before comparing against United or Southwest.

Ready to Book Your Cheap Flight to Denver?

Compare Southwest, United, Frontier, and Spirit, lock in your PHX → DEN fare, and trade the desert for the mountains. No booking fees — ever.

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Get the Best Unpublished Fares and Save $100 Extra

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