Know Before You Go: Denver

Denver International Airport (DEN) is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of downtown Denver. The fastest and cheapest way to get into the city is the A Line of the Regional Transportation District (RTD), which connects the airport directly to Union Station in the center. The journey takes about 35 minutes. An Airport Day Pass for $10 is required, which also allows 24 hours of travel on the local transport system. Alternatively, taxis and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft are available. Depending on traffic, the trip to the city center takes about 30 to 45 minutes and usually costs between $50 and $75.

Central districts such as Downtown, LoDo, or RiNo can be easily explored on foot. Denver is also considered bicycle-friendly with its many bike lanes, and bikes and scooters can be rented via the Veo app. For destinations outside the center, a ride service like Uber is recommended. If you want to explore the Rocky Mountains, the only option is a rental car.

Tipping is an integral part of US service culture. In restaurants, about 20 percent of the bill amount is common, regardless of the type of restaurant. Bars usually charge $1 to $2 per drink. A surcharge of around 20 percent is also expected for taxi rides. In hotels, you will pay up to $5, depending on the service. Tipping is usually stated on the bill itself or handed over in cash.

Type A and B sockets are used in the USA. Although the voltage of 120 volts is well below the European standard of 230 volts, this is usually not a problem for most modern electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, or cameras, as their power adapters can automatically switch between different voltages. However, due to the different plug shape, an adapter is still required, featuring two flat parallel pins, sometimes with an additional grounding pin.

Denver sits at an altitude of 1,609 meters (5,280 feet), and that shouldn't be underestimated. Visitors who are not used to such heights should therefore be a little careful and not try to do too much at once. Also remember: drink a lot and regularly!

Denver is nicknamed the Mile High City, and the city's highest point – the 15th step at the Colorado State Capitol – is exactly one mile (1,609 meters/5,280 feet) above sea level. This altitude even changes everyday physics: water boils here at around 94°C (201°F) instead of 100°C (212°F).  Denver is also considered one of the sunniest cities in the USA.