Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Minneapolis Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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Soft seats, cushions and blankets are all upstairs on floor 3 overlooking the check in area. – John S
MSP Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
What to Expect
Minneapolis Airport (Code: MSP) is a busy, modern airport with two terminals: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). Terminal 1 is the primary terminal, with seven concourses (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) serving most airlines. Terminal 2 has only one concourse (H). The terminals are connected by a free landside light rail service that continues to the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis. There is also a tram that moves within areas of Terminal 1.
Given the difference in size between the terminals, it should come as no surprise that T1 has more services and amenities. Here, you’ll find the Airport Mall, with a handful of 24-hour restaurants. T2 has a more limited selection but is, as a result, quieter and easier to navigate. The airport offers free WiFi and plenty of charging points to keep you connected and entertained while you wait. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges that economy-class passengers can pay to access.
Sleeping in Minneapolis Airport
Both terminals at Minneapolis-St. Paul are friendly to airport sleepers. T1 is busier, and thus noisier. There’s a good amount of seating throughout the airport, but it tends to have armrests. Terminal 1 is large, so there are many nooks and crannies that offer some quieter floor sleeping spots. In general, Terminal 2 has less foot traffic, especially at night, so it tends to be calmer.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Terminal 1 – Airside, Mezzanine Level, Level 3. Two designated quiet areas have comfortable seats without armrests.
- Terminal 1 – Airside, Gates A13-14 and B13 may be quieter, especially at night.
- Terminal 1 – Airside, Concourse D. The observation deck may offer some peace and quiet
- Terminal 1 – Airside, Concourse E. Some benches without armrests are spread throughout this concourse.
- Pay massage chairs are located randomly throughout the airport, and you may be able to rest in them without paying for a massage.
- Terminal 1 – Baggage Claim, Landside, in T1’s Baggage Claim area, has some semi-private carpet patches behind the escalators.
There are two designated quiet areas airside, complete with armrest-free benches and power outlets. There are also lower traffic areas in T1 near the observation deck, Concourse D, Concourse E, Gates A13/14, and behind the escalators in baggage claim. T2 has much less passenger traffic, making finding a peaceful and relaxing overnight spot easier.
No matter where you decide to sleep at MSP, be sure to bring warm clothes, a blanket/sleeping bag, a sleep mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones with you. The airport can be cold, loud and bright at all hours, making these items essential to a good rest. Read traveller reviews for more tips. If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport connected by shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Good to Know
MSP Airport experiences its fair share of winter snow storms, which means delays and cancellations are common between November and March. At an airline’s request, the airport provides a limited supply of sleeping mats and travel blankets to stranded passengers. Inquire with your airline if you find yourself in this predicament.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Minneapolis Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning. The TSA security screening checkpoints in both terminals open at 4:00 AM and close with the last flight.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
Two quiet seating areas are available in the Lindbergh Terminal (T1). Location: Airside, Mezzanine Level overlooking the Airport Mall. Take the stairs or elevator at the entrances for Concourses E or F, and go up one level.
Take precautions even when sleeping in the rest zones. In December 2019, a traveller at another airport reported that money and credit cards had been stolen from their bag even though the bag was right beside them. Protect and lock your bags as you would sleeping elsewhere in public.
Cots
Minneapolis Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations, mainly due to winter weather, but this means they are usually more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Minneapolis Airport, a limited supply of sleeping mats and blankets are available for stranded passengers who opt against getting a hotel room. To find them, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information. These locations have been sent to us in the past:
- Terminal 1: Airside, Airport Mall • Airside, Concourse C, near C16 • Airside, near Gates G9 • Airside, entrance to Concourse E.
- Terminal 2: Contact your airline to request a mat.
Note: these sleep mats cannot be reserved in advance. They are specifically used when mass cancellations occur, not simply because you chose to stay in the airport before your flight.
Tricia on our Facebook tells us, “They will provide sleeping mats for cancelled flights. 4 or 5 times my daughter and I have slept in the kids playground control tower. It also has nice padded benches. You do have to listen to the Bob the Builder ride all night, “Can We Do It? Yes We Can!!!”
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Minneapolis Airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel on airport grounds and several nearby hotels that provide free airport shuttles:
Hotels at the Airport
Intercontinental Minneapolis Airport – Located on airport property. Complimentary 24-hour shuttle service is available both in T1 and T2. The hotel offers a full gym (showers), which can be enjoyed by non-guests with the purchase of an access pass. » Check Rates
More hotels near Minneapolis Airport
- AC Hotel Bloomington Mall of America » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott Bloomington by Mall of America » Check Rates
- Element Bloomington Mall of America » Check Rates
- Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn Suites Minneapolis St Paul Arpt-Mall of America » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis Airport-Mall Area » Check Rates
- Hilton Minneapolis St Paul Airport Mall of America » Check Rates
- Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport South » Check Rates
- Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis » Check Rates
- Radisson Blu Mall of America » Check Rates
- SpringHill Suites Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport/Mall of America » Check Rates
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Minneapolis Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Escape Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, north end of the Airport Mall on the Mezzanine Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
- PGA MSP Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- United Club – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse E, between Gates E6 and E8. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Airline Lounges (members only)
Delta Sky Club – Multiple Locations – (1) Concourse C • (1) Concourse F • (1) Concourse (G).
Military Lounges
Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) – The AFSC offers current members of the military — active-duty, National Guard, Reservists, their dependents, retirees, DOD employees — a lovely lounge with a TV, access to a military DSN phone line, CAC reader, cell phone, free Wi-Fi, iPads, fax/printer /copier machine, bathroom and toiletries. It also has complimentary snacks and beverages as well as limited sleeping bunks. Location: Terminal 1, Concourse A, Level 2. Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:45 PM.
Related Pages: Minneapolis Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
There are multiple water filling stations throughout the two terminals, both Landside and Airside.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout both terminals operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, there were no 24-hour options.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Samsung Power Pole charging stations offer free mobile device charging. Available throughout the airside areas of Terminals 1 and 2. Additionally, Power Seating offers wide, flat surface space, easily accessible power outlets, and seating, ideal for travellers who need to do some work while charging their laptops or phones. You can find Power Seating near food outlets at the main mall and Concourses A, C, E, and F, and the entire G Concourse. In T2, power seating is available in Southwest Airlines gated areas and at the Service Center opposite Gate H3.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available at the Minneapolis Airport.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to tolerate airport sleepers, particularly during mass delays or cancellations. If you’re inside the airside zones, you can stay there overnight, but security staff may not allow you through the night before an early-morning flight. In that case, you may have to remain in the landside/public zones.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Minneapolis Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Chiropractic Services -Pulled your back out dragging your luggage around? Chiroport offers chiropractic services on the go. Locations: Terminal 1, Concourse C, near Gate C12 • Terminal 1, Concourse G, near Gate G9. Hours: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
Conference Center – Conference Rooms and workstations are available for rent. Rates: Rooms from $50/hour or $250 per day. Private workstations from $20 per hour or $70 per day. The conference centre also provides other services, including photocopies, laser printing and more. Location: Lindbergh (T1), Mezzanine Level, above the entrance to concourse F. Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon–Fri).
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Feed and care for your baby in privacy and comfort in the airport’s Lactation Centers and Nursing Mother’s Rooms. Lactation Centers have changing tables, deep sinks for bathing babies, power outlets, and soft lights and seating to create a relaxing environment for mother and baby. Locations: T1, Airside, near Gates C13, E1, F2, G9, G18-22 • T1, Ground Floor, Silver Ramp • T1, Landside, Arrivals Area • T1, Mezzanine Level, North Mall • T2, Airside, near Gates H10-11.
- Children’s Play Areas – Aviation-themed play areas (mock aeroplanes, air traffic control towers with slides) also offer adult seating areas, some with electrical outlets nearby. Locations: T1, Airside, Concourse C • T2, Airside.
Fitness
- Walking Path – When your idea of airport exercise doesn’t include tight connections and frantic running to the next gate, enjoy your time at the airport with a stroll or power walk along a designated walking path. Walk the official MSP Start Walking Path, a 1.4-mile path in the Lindbergh Terminal.
Gym – The Intercontinental Hotel (at Terminal 1) offers a fully equipped fitness centre. Non-guests of the hotel may purchase an access pass. Rates: unknown.
Information Desk – Location: Lindbergh T1, Level T. Hours: 5:00 AM-1:45 AM. In addition to the Information Desk, black “Airport Assistance” phones are available throughout the airport for anyone seeking information. Look for the blue light on the wall and dial 201 to receive assistance. Manned by live operators, these phones are in service from 8:00 AM-10:00 PM.
Markets – The Cibo Express Gourmet Market locations may be a good option for a healthy grab-and-go snack. Locations: T1, Concourse G, near Gates 9, 13, 15, and 17. Hours: 4:30 AM–9:00 PM. The Farmers Market vending machines also offer grab & go snacks. Locations: T1, Food Court • T1, near Gates C4, C10, C18, E12, F8 • T1, Landside, Arrivals Level, near Baggage Claim 6 • T2, near Gate H10. Hours: 24 hours.
Massage Chairs – First Class Seats operated by SmarteCarte. Locations: Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse F, Near Gates C1, C6, C12, C15, C21. Rate: $1 for 3 minutes, or $5 for 15 minutes
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Machines are operated by US Bank and Wings Financial Credit Union. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside in both terminals.
- Banking Services – Wings Financial Credit Union offers full-service banking and an ATM. Location: T1, Concourse C, near Gate C3. Hours: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM (Mon-Fri).
- Currency Exchange – Currency Exchange International has kiosks in these locations:
- Lindbergh (T1): -Landside, International Arrivals, near Bag Claim 11 (Hours: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM) • Airside, entrance to Concourse G (Hours: 7:00 AM-7:00 PM).
- Humphrey (T2): – Airside, Concourse H, near Gate H5. (Hours: 5:30 AM-12:00 AM).
Pets
- Pet Hotel – Furbabies rejoice! Your cat or dog can enjoy a vacation of its own at Now Boarding. Overnight boarding, grooming, and daycare are some of the services offered. Location: Near the airport, off Highway 62 and 28th Ave S. Hours: Open 24 hours.
- Pet Relief Area – Locations: T1, Landside, Baggage Claim Level, outside of Door 1 and 4 • T1, Landside, Silver Parking Ramp • T1, Airside, entrance to Concourse E • T1, Airside, C/G Connector Bridge • T1, Airside, Concourse F, near Gate F6 • T2, Landside, Baggage Claim Level, outside of Door 8 • T2, Airside, near Gate H11.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailboxes. Locations: US Postal Drop boxes are available in both terminals. Stamps can be purchased at the Travellers Assistance Central Office in Concourse C, open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Shoe Shine – Available airside in Terminal 1, near Gates C12 and F1.
Shopping – MSP Duty-Free has three locations: T1, entrance to Concourse D (Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM) • T1, MSP Airport Mall, near south checkpoint (Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM) • T2, Concourse H, near Gate H5 (Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM). In addition, a wide variety of retail stores are available throughout the terminals.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Spa & Salon Services – Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more are available at:
- XpresSpa – Hair services are only available at the Concourse F location. Location: T1, Airside, entrance to Concourse D (Hours: 7:00 AM-9:00 PM).
- Elevations Spa at The Intercontinental Hotel (Terminal 1) offers shower and spa facilities. A fully equipped fitness center, luxury spa area and thermal swimming pool can be enjoyed by Non-guests of the hotel by purchasing an access pass. Rates: unknown.
Things to do & see
- Mall of America (off-site): Go shopping, catch a movie, visit the aquarium or take the kids to Nickelodeon Theme Park. To get there, take the Light Rail Transit (LRT) three stops to Mall of America (12 minutes).
- Video Arcade /Games Room – Video arcade and games rooms used to be available in the following locations: Concourse C, near Gate 1 • Concourse F, near Gate 7 • Concourse G, near Gate 7 • Terminal 2.
Minneapolis Airport is served by the following airlines:
- Terminal 1 – Air Canada • Air France • Alaska Airlines • American Airlines • Delta Air Lines • Denver Air • KLM • Spirit Airlines • United Airlines • WestJet.
- Terminal 2 – Allegiant Air • Condor • Frontier Airlines • Icelandair • JetBlue • Southwest Airlines • Sun Country.
Bus
Metro Transit Bus #54 stops at T1/Lindbergh Transit Center, outside on Level 1 of the Silver parking ramps. There is no bus service from T2/Humphrey, so you must go to T1 to catch the bus. For schedules and more information, visit the Metro Transit website.
Car Rentals
Car rental agencies have counters in Terminal 1 and 2: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Sixt • Thrifty • Turo. The Alamo and National counters are open 24 hours in Terminal 1. Ace Rent a Car is located off-site but provides a 24-hour airport shuttle.
Hotel Shuttles
Several hotels offer airport shuttle service: Comfort Inn Airport • Fairfield Inn & Suites Minneapolis Bloomington • Fairfield Inn & Suites Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport • Hampton Inn Minneapolis / Eagan • Hampton Inn & Suites Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport • Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America • Hilton Garden Inn Minneapolis Airport Mall of America • Holiday Inn Bloomington – Airport South • Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport – South • La Quinta Inn Minneapolis Airport Bloomington • Radisson Blu Mall of America • SpringHill Suites Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport • Super 8 Bloomington/Airport.
Hotel Shuttles pick-up from the Gold Ramp on Level 1.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Transportation
To travel between the two terminals, passengers can use the free LRT. The trains depart every 15 – 30 minutes. Hours: 3:30 AM – 12:00 AM. – The LRT is entirely wheelchair accessible, but special needs passengers, mobility-impaired passengers, elderly passengers and passengers travelling with small children and luggage may find it easier to take the special needs minivan shuttles. The minivan has a wheelchair lift.
Light Rail Transit
Light rail transit (LRT) trains stop at Terminal 1-Lindbergh and Terminal 2-Humphrey and connect travellers to 17 other destinations, including downtown Minneapolis to the north and Mall of America to the south. Blue Line trains run every 15 – 30 minutes. Tickets are sold at machines in the terminal. For fares, routes and schedules, visit the Metro Transit website.
Ride Apps
Uber, Lyft and other ride app services pick up passengers from Terminal 1, Ground Transport Center, Level 1 of the green parking ramp • Terminal 2, Ground Transport Center, Ground Level of the purple parking ramp. A ride to the city centre will cost you approximately $22.
Taxi
Taxi services are available from both terminals: Terminal 1 (Tram Level) • Terminal 2 (Ground Transport Center). At the time of this update, the taxi fare to downtown Minneapolis is $39-$49, and to St. Paul, expect to pay $31-$38. The starting fare departing the airport is $6.50 ($2.50 flag drop and $4 airport access fee).
Van and Shuttle Services
Several scheduled bus, van and limousine companies are available. Reservations are recommended for out-of-town service. Companies serving MSP Airport: Groome Transportation • Jefferson Lines • Landline • Land to Air Express • Rochester Shuttle Service.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.