DENVER -- The Thanksgiving holiday is usually one of the busiest air travel days of the year. Denver International Airport is reminding all travelers to bring a little extra patience and to allow a little more time when coming to the airport this week.

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Security remains heightened, and it is important to know what you can and cannot do and what you can and cannot bring. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Arriving at DIA

• Arrive at least two hours prior to your scheduled departure.
• Check 303-DIA-TIPS (303-342-8477) before you arrive at the airport for information on security line waits.

Picking Up/Dropping Off Travelers

• Departing passengers can be picked up curbside on Level 4 by following the "arrivals" signs to the terminal. For security reasons, vehicles may not be left unattended at curbside. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed immediately. If you plan to pick up a passenger at curbside, that passenger must be waiting there for you when you arrive. You will not be allowed to wait in your car at curbside.
• If you would like to meet your friends or family inside the airport, park in the garages or economy lots and meet your party at the appropriate baggage claim carousels on Level 5 of the terminal.
• Departing passengers can be dropped off curbside on Level 6 by following the "Departures" signs to the Terminal. Do not leave your vehicle unattended at any time; it will be ticketed and towed immediately.

Parking

• All vehicles entering the airport are subject to search.
• The $7-per-day Economy Lots next to the Terminal garages will fill up first. Call 303-DIA-PARK (303-342-7275) for the latest parking information or by email at parking@diadenver.net. Overhead electronic signs and variable message boards on inbound Peña Boulevard also will display real-time parking information.
• When DIA's economy lots are filled, remote lots are recommended. The Pike's Peak lot is served by free shuttles and cost $5.00 per day. DIA's other shuttle lot, the Mt. Elbert Lot, will open if Pikes Peak fills. Mt. Elbert also costs $5 per day. Both shuttle lots are accessible by taking the "Airport Services" exit off of inbound Peña Boulevard. Free shuttle buses from both lots leave for the Terminal every 10 minutes. Allow an extra 20-30 minutes to get to the lot and catch the free shuttle bus to the Terminal, where you will be dropped off at curbside.
• Parking in the garages next to the terminal is $15.00 per day. All vehicles will be screened before entering the terminal garages.
• Use public transportation when possible.

Carry-on and Checked Baggage

• Airlines have cutoff times for checking bags. These cutoff times vary. Check with your airline to learn how many minutes before departure it stops accepting checked luggage.
• Check as many bags as possible in order to reduce the number of carry-on items. Travelers are limited to one carry on item and one personal item (reasonably sized purse or briefcase).
• Do not wrap presents that you plan to carry-on board your flight. You may be asked to unwrap presents for inspection.
• Prohibited carry-on items:
• Cutting instruments of any kind (including knives, pocket knives, box cutters, pointed scissors, razors)
• Ice picks
• Corkscrews
• Metal nail files
• Hockey sticks
• Baseball bats
• Golf clubs
• Pool cues
• Ski poles

Weather At Your Destination

Don't know what to pack? Get a forecast for dozens of America's largest cities. Check out our Travel Weather Section with popup maps of the state's temperatures, radar and satellite. Great Resource!

If You're Flying, Check:

Airport Delays
Is Your Flight On Time?
How Long Are People Waiting At Screening Checkpoints?

If You're Driving

How To Get There:
Online Route Mapping From TheDenverChannel

How Much Gas?
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Roads Open?

• Before you head out on the roads, check the traffic conditions around the state by going to our Road Alerts page.
• Look at a live picture of various points around the state by using our Colorado Cams section.
• View all I-70 cams at once by using our I-70 Cams page.
If you're driving out of state, call these hotlines to make sure that no major roads are closed:

Utah -- (800) 492-2400
Kansas -- (800) 585-7623
Wyoming -- (307) 772-0824
New Mexico -- (800) 432-4269
Nebraska -- (402) 471-4533
Arizona -- (888) 411-7623