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About Minneapolis Saint Paul Intl. Airport

Minneapolis Saint Paul Intl. Airport (MSP) is located in the state of Minnesota, in Hennepin County, between Minneapolis and Saint Paul, about 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis and 8 miles from downtown Saint Paul. Opened to civil air traffic in 1920, the airport is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission and serves as the main aviation gateway for the Twin Cities and the Upper Midwest.

The airport operates two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with both domestic flights and international flights handled across the airport rather than in a fully separate international terminal. MSP serves around 36 million passengers annually, supported by more than 100 gates, multiple runways, light rail access, parking, lounges, dining, retail, rental cars and modern security facilities. Traffic is typically strongest during summer travel, business peaks and holiday periods, while winter demand remains steady thanks to leisure routes, hub connections and strong regional travel needs.

Major airlines at Minneapolis Saint Paul Intl. Airport include Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines, Southwest, American, United, Alaska, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Icelandair and others. Key nonstop destinations include Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, Seattle, Orlando and Phoenix, alongside international routes such as Amsterdam, Paris, London, Toronto, Montreal, Reykjavik and selected seasonal European services. Demand for flight tickets remains broad and resilient, driven by corporate travel, tourism, university traffic, regional connections and the airport's role as a major Delta hub.

Minneapolis Saint Paul Intl. Airport to Minneapolis City Center Transport

Travelers going from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis city center can choose light rail, municipal buses with connections, taxis, rental cars, shared shuttles, or pre-booked private transfers.

Bus

Municipal and regional buses serve MSP, mainly from Terminal 1. A bus trip to downtown Minneapolis usually requires a connection, so the average journey time is about 45 to 70 minutes depending on route, transfer time, and traffic.

• Metro Transit Route 54: departs from Terminal 1 and connects with the wider Metro Transit network.
• MVTA Route 436: connects MSP with 46th Street Station and Eagan-area stops.
• MVTA Route 495: links MSP with Mall of America, Burnsville, Savage, and Shakopee.
• SouthWest Transit Route 686: serves MSP and western suburban stops, with connections onward.

Airport Shuttle (Havas/Havabus)

MSP does not have a Havas or Havabus airport shuttle service. Instead, travelers can use hotel shuttles, shared-ride vans, and pre-arranged commercial shuttles. Travel time to central Minneapolis is typically 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of stops.

• Terminal 1 Ground Transport Center.
• Terminal 2 Ground Transport Center.
• Downtown Minneapolis hotels.
• Convention Center and business district stops by prior arrangement.

Metro / Tram

The METRO Blue Line light rail is one of the easiest ways to travel from MSP Airport to downtown Minneapolis. Trains stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and run north toward downtown Minneapolis. The average travel time to central downtown stations is about 25 minutes.

• Terminal 1 Station.
• Terminal 2 Station.
• U.S. Bank Stadium Station.
• Nicollet Mall Station.
• Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station.

Taxi

Taxis are available 24/7 at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. They are a convenient direct option for passengers with luggage or late-night arrivals. The average taxi ride to Minneapolis city center takes about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

• Taxi pickup is available from the airport ground transportation areas.
• Service is available to downtown hotels, offices, and residential addresses.

Car Rental

Car rental companies operate at MSP Airport, with offices and vehicle pickup areas connected to the terminals and airport parking ramps. Renting a car is useful for travelers planning to visit suburbs, regional destinations, or multiple stops beyond downtown Minneapolis.

• Rental car facilities are accessible from Terminal 1 via airport signage and tram connections.
• Terminal 2 passengers can follow signs to rental car pickup and ground transportation areas.
• Driving to downtown Minneapolis usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes in normal traffic.

Transfer

A private airport transfer is the most convenient door-to-door option from MSP to Minneapolis city center. It is recommended to book in advance, especially for early morning arrivals, late-night flights, business travel, families, or groups with extra luggage.

• Meet-and-greet pickup can be arranged at the terminal.
• Vehicles can be booked for hotels, offices, apartments, or event venues in downtown Minneapolis.
• Average travel time is about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and destination.