Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport [MSP] — Ultimate Terminal Guide

Key Takeaways

• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) features 2 terminals with 8 concourses.
• The 2 terminals are 3 miles apart, so the only way to get between them is to use Light Rail Transit (LRT), which is free of charge.
• The airport features 5 lounges in Terminal 1, including Delta Sky Club and United Club.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is the main international airport for the twin cities of Minnesota — Minneapolis and Saint Paul — transporting nearly 35 million passengers in 2023.

The airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines, accounting for approximately 55% of MSP’s annual passenger traffic, and is also home to Minnesota’s hometown carrier, Sun Country Airlines.

Quick Information

Airport: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Terminals: 2 terminals (1 and 2) with 8 concourses (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H)
Airport Address:

• Terminal 1: 4300 Glumack Dr., St. Paul, MN 55111
• Terminal 2: 7150 Humphrey Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55450

Distance From Downtown: Approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Minneapolis and southwest of downtown Saint Paul
Website: mspairport.com
Phone Number: 612-726-5555
Destinations Served: 125 domestic and 29 international
Number of Daily Flights: 600+
Flight Information: MSP departures and arrival information can be viewed online

MSP Terminal Map

Airlines Operating From MSP

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

MSP Airport Terminals

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) consists of 2 terminals that are located around 3 miles apart from each other by road and are not connected via any walkways. To travel between terminals, passengers must ride the light rail transit service that stops at both terminals on the METRO Blue Line.

The journey between the terminals is free, but passengers also have the option to ride the Blue Line north or south for onward travel at an additional cost.

Terminal 1 is the larger of the 2 terminals with the majority of flight operations and airport facilities. Some ground transportation services only depart from Terminal 1 (see the section below “Travel To and From MSP” for more details).

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 has 7 concourses — A, B, C, D, E, F, and G — from where all flights depart from. The terminal is located at the northwest end of the airport with the concourses surrounding the road system and parking garages.

Concourses A and B are situated at the southeast end, Concourse C extends the length of 1 side, Concourses D, E, and F are along the top of the north end, and Concourse G extends halfway down the other side.

Check-in is at the north end of the terminal, either on level 2 for most airlines or level T for Delta. Level T also has an underground tram that transports passengers to the Skyway security checkpoint.

Passengers departing from the concourses at the top end can pass through 2 security checkpoints at the north and south points of the main terminal area.

Concourse A

Concourse A is at the southeast end of the Terminal 1 area and has 13 gates numbered A2 to A14. Moving walkways extend almost the full length of the concourse, and there are a few shops and restaurants.

Passengers can also visit the shops and restaurants located in Concourse C and then travel to Concourse A via the moving walkways or by riding the underground tram that stops opposite gate C27 on level T.

Concourse B

Concourse B is a satellite concourse located at the south end of the Terminal 1 area. Concourse B has 16 gates numbered B1 to B16 and is accessible by walking along the underground walkway from Concourse C. Access to the walkway is near gate C27 on level T.

There are no concessions in the satellite concourse, so passengers can make use of the shops and restaurants in Concourse C before walking to Concourse B.

Concourse C

Concourse C is the longest concourse stretching from the north to south ends of the Terminal 1 area. Concourse C has 27 gates numbered C1 to C27.

Concourse C has lots of shops and restaurants and a Delta Sky Club. Although there are moving walkways along almost all of Concourse C, there is also an underground tram that runs the full length, with stations at both ends and in the middle.

Concourse D

Concourse D is a small concourse consisting of just 6 gates numbered D1 to D6. Concourse D is located in the northeast corner of the Terminal 1 area just after the north security checkpoint.

There are a few shops and restaurants at the entrance of the concourse, including a McDonald’s.

Concourse E

Concourse E is located at the north end of Terminal 1 and consists of 16 gates numbered E1 to E16.

The north security checkpoint is directly opposite Concourse E, and the MSP Mall is located just outside, in between Concourses E and F. Concourse E itself has several shops and restaurants and a United Club. On the mezzanine level just outside of the concourse is the Escape Lounge.

Concourse F

Concourse F is also positioned at the north end of the Terminal 1 area opposite the south security checkpoint. The concourse has 16 gates numbered F1 to F16 and a Delta Sky Club located at the entrance of the concourse.

There are many shops and restaurants located inside the concourse with more situated just outside the entrance.

Concourse G

Concourse G is on the opposite side of the terminal to Concourses A, B, and C. It runs down half the length of the terminal area and has 20 gates numbered G1 to G5, G6A, G6B, G9 to G15, and G17 to G22.

Moving walkways run the full length of the departure gates, and passengers can pass through the south security checkpoint or the checkpoint near the transit center, depending on their departure gate.

Terminal 1 Arrivals

Arrivals is located on level 1 of Terminal 1 where baggage claim is located and you’ll have access to ground transportation.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is about 3 miles from Terminal 1 and is connected by roadway or light rail only — it’s not possible for passengers to walk between the 2 terminals.

The light rail station is located in the parking building with a walkway connecting to the terminal.

Terminal 2 has 2 security checkpoints that lead through to Concourse H, where there are 15 gates numbered H1 to H6, H7A, and H7 to H14.

Level 1 — Ticketing/Baggage Claim

Ticketing and baggage claim is located on level 1, along with car rental services and access to ground transportation.

Inter-terminal Transport

Traveling Outside of the Secure Area

MSP has multiple train/tram systems for transporting passengers around the airport.

Light Rail Transit (LRT)

The LRT connects Terminals 1 and 2 and operates outside of the secure area from below the transit center in Terminal 1 to the transit center attached to the terminal parking building at Terminal 2.

The LRT journey between the 2 terminals is free of charge, however, the line continues from both terminals outside of the airport area, which is subject to a fee.

Tram

In Terminal 1, passengers looking to avoid the long walk in Concourse C can choose to ride the tram that runs the full length of the concourse. The tram can also be used to travel to Concourses A and B with stations located near gates C1, C12, and C27.

Another tram also runs from the main terminal building on level T to the transit center to ride the LRT for terminal connections.

This tram can also be used to travel to the security checkpoint located at the southern end of Terminal 1, for access to the higher-numbered gates of Concourses C and G and Concourses A and B.

Traveling Inside the Secure Area

Walking

Once you clear 1 of 3 security checkpoints, you can walk freely between any of the concourses in Terminal 1. The secure area is a large loop around the parking facilities, with 1 side longer than the other for Concourses A, B, and C.

Concourses A, C, and G have moving walkways, while Concourses B, D, E, and F do not (but these are the shorter concourses). It’s not possible to walk between Terminals 1 and 2 — passengers must ride the LRT.

Security and Customs at MSP

MSP has 7 security checkpoints across its 2 terminals:

• Terminal 1: 
  • North checkpoint: Opens by 4 a.m. Closing time undisclosed
  • South checkpoint: Opens by 4 a.m. Closing time undisclosed
  • Skyway checkpoint: Temporarily closed
  • Hotel checkpoint: Temporarily closed
  • Concourse G checkpoint (for international connecting passengers only): Operating times undisclosed
• Terminal 2:
  • Security checkpoint 1: 4 a.m. to last scheduled departure
  • Security checkpoint 2: Open only during peak travel periods

Live security wait times for MSP are available to view on the airport’s security page.

Most international flights arrive and depart from Terminal 1; passengers are required to clear Immigration and Customs on arrival.

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck is available at the north and south security checkpoints of Terminal 1 and the Terminal 2 security checkpoint 1, open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

MSP has a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center located in Concourse C of Terminal 1, near gate C21. Passengers can apply online and arrange to attend an interview at the airport. The Enrollment Center is open 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Global Entry

Global Entry is available at both terminals for pre-approved passengers arriving back into the U.S. MSP also has an Enrollment Center located in Terminal 1 on the baggage claim level for eligible passengers that need to finalize their application with an interview. The office is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The airport also participates in Enrollment on Arrival, and passengers can visit lane 13 in Terminal 1 or lane 1 in Terminal 2 for their interview.

Hot Tip: Want to find out more about Global Entry? Take a look at our most frequently asked questions about Global Entry, along with our expert answers. 

Mobile Passport

MSP accepts Mobile Passport Control for passengers entering the U.S. from an international flight.

To utilize this service, complete the “new trip” section within the app on arrival at MSP and present your electronic receipt and passport to a CBP agent.

CLEAR

There are dedicated CLEAR Security Program lanes at the following security checkpoints:

• Terminal 1 North Checkpoint: 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Terminal 1 South Checkpoint: 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

MSP Airport Lounges

MSP has 5 lounges with 2 available to purchase day passes. The 2 Delta Sky Clubs are exclusively for premium cabin passengers or eligible frequent flyer members. The Armed Forces Service Center is for active-duty military personnel and their dependents.

* Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
** Day Pass for any passenger. Lounges marked as N/A only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Hot Tip: Read about the best credit cards for lounge access to avoid paying entry fees to airport lounges.

Priority Pass Access

Eligible Priority Pass holders can use their membership to receive a discount at:

• PGA MSP Lounge: located in Terminal 1 Concourse E
  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday to Sunday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If you’re interested in becoming a member, find out more about Priority Pass memberships as well as the best credit cards for Priority Pass access.

Airport Dining and Drinks at MSP

MSP has over 70 restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go food options. Almost all of these eateries are located within the secure area, so passengers will need to check in and clear security to grab a bite to eat before a flight.

Some concourses don’t have many restaurants (or none at all), so passengers can check out where to eat at MSP on the airport website.

MSP Airport Wi-Fi and Charging Stations

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout MSP in all public areas once passengers have entered the secure area.

To connect, select “MSP Airport WiFi” or “Boingo Hotspot” and you will receive 4 hours of complimentary browsing. Once the timer has expired, passengers can re-connect for another 4-hour session with no limit to the number of sessions available.

Charging Stations: Mobile charging stations are located throughout Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Hot Tip: To ensure you are connected inside and outside of the secure area at MSP, check out the best mobile Wi-Fi hotspots.

MSP Airport Lost and Found

MSP’s Lost and Found Office is located on the Tram level of Terminal 1 near the valet station. If you’ve lost an item, submit an online claim or visit the office during these opening hours:

• Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m
• Saturday to Sunday: 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m
• Federal Holidays: 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The airport advises passengers to submit a claim first, but you can also call the Lost and Found Office at 612-726-5141.

If an item is lost on an airplane, contact MSP’s general information at 612-726-5555 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.), and they will inform you of the lost and found contact details for the applicable airline.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

MSP has several information services that passengers can contact for assistance. A passenger assistance desk is located in Terminal 1 on level T and is staffed daily from 5 a.m. to 1:45 a.m.

Information booths are also located throughout Terminal 1 and are staffed daily by volunteers providing general information and assistance for the elderly or disabled as well as translation and sign language services. These services are provided by a nonprofit organization called Airport Foundation MSP, and they have a central office at the entrance of Concourse D in Terminal 1, open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition to these services, the airport also offers phone assistance by calling 612-726-5555 for general information and paging.

Children’s Play Areas

MSP has 2 children’s play areas featuring airplane play structures and an air traffic control tower with slides. Play areas are located at:

• Terminal 1: Concourse C, near gate C12 and in the baggage claim area
• Terminal 2: Near gate H6

Hot Tip: Explore the most kid-friendly U.S. airports and see why MSP was one of the top airports on our list.

Baby Facilities

MSP has private lactation centers and semi-private nursing mothers rooms:

Lactation Centers

• Terminal 1, North Mall, Mezzanine Level
• Terminal 1, Concourse C near gate C13, on the main level under the stairs
• Terminal 1, Concourse E near gate E1
• Terminal 1, Concourse F near gate F2
• Terminal 1, Concourse G near gate G9
• Terminal 2, Concourse H, between gates H10 and H11

Nursing Mothers Room

• Terminal 1, near the restrooms at the entrance to Concourse E
• Terminal 1, Concourse F near gate F4
• Terminal 1, Concourse C on the mezzanine level above gate C13
• Terminal 2, near gate H10

Traveling With a Pet

MSP ranks as one of the top pet-friendly U.S. airports, so MSP is a great place to fly with your furry friend.

Pet relief areas can be found at the following locations:

• Terminal 1:
  • Outside doors 1 and 4 on the baggage claim level (outside the secure area)
  • Outside of the Silver Parking Ramp
  • Near the entrance of Concourse E
  • Near gate F6
  • On the C/G connector bridge
• Terminal 2
  • Outside and to the right of door 8 near baggage claim (outside the secure area)
  • Near gate H11 (inside the secure area)

Duty-free

MSP has 3 duty-free shops with 2 in Terminal 1 and 1 in Terminal 1. These are located at:

• Terminal 1 just after the south security checkpoint and in the MSP Mall outside of Concourse D
• Terminal 2 opposite gate H5

Smoking Areas

Designated smoking areas are located outside of Terminals 1 and 2 curbside.

Prayer

MSP does not have an interfaith chapel, however, it does have 2 quiet seating areas suitable for meditation and prayer. These are located in Terminal 1 inside the secure area on the mezzanine level.

Money

ATMs can be found throughout Terminals 1 and 2 on the ticketing level, baggage claim, and in the individual concourses (apart from B and D).

Luggage Storage

Luggage storage facilities are not available at MSP.

Important MSP Phone Numbers

General Inquiries: 612-726-5555

Parking: 612-725-4681

Travel to and From MSP

Transport Options

Train

The Blue Line of the LRT runs from downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America, stopping at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of MSP. Passengers can connect from the Blue Line to the Green Line services to Saint Paul.

Trains depart every 10 minutes during peak times and every 10-15 minutes off-peak with the journey to downtown Minneapolis taking around 25 minutes.

Buses

Metro Transit: Bus 54 is a city service bus that departs from Terminal 1 of the airport to Saint Paul, where passengers can pickup connecting services to downtown Minneapolis. City buses arrive and depart from Terminal 1 only, so passengers will need to ride the free LRT from Terminal 2.

Jefferson Lines Bus: Scheduled buses to Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin depart from the Terminal 1 transit area. Tickets can be purchased on arrival at the GO Rochester Direct desk or by booking online.

Shuttle

Scheduled services: Buses, vans, and limousines are available to prebook or arrange on arrival at MSP (bookings are recommended for out-of-town services). Ticket desks are available in the ground transportation center or for prebookings, MSP suggests these companies.

Shared services: SuperShuttle provides shared ride services that are available to prebook or book on arrival at the ground transportation area. Bookings can be made by calling 800-258-3826 or visiting supershuttle.com.

Taxi

Taxis are available from Terminal 1 on Level T and Terminal 2 at the ground transportation area. Fares to downtown Minneapolis are $41 to $51 and $33 to $41 to Saint Paul.

Ride Services

Uber and Lyft drivers are permitted to operate from MSP using the standard vehicle drop-off area for departing passengers. Pickup is permitted in designated areas:

• Terminal 1 on level 2 of the green parking ramp where the area is designated with signs for “app-based ride services”
• Terminal 2 on the ground level of the purple parking ramp in the ground transportation area

Directions by Car to MSP

Arriving From Downtown Minneapolis

Take MN-65 South and use the middle 2 lanes to turn slightly left onto the slip road to I-35 West south. Use the right 3 lanes to merge onto MN-62 East and then use the right 2 lanes to merge onto MN-5 West towards the airport.

Arriving From Downtown Saint Paul

Take I-35 East south until exit 103B and use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto MN-5 West/7th Street West/Fort Road. Keep left at the fork to continue on MN-5 West until you reach the airport.

Arriving From Burnsville

Take I-35 West north and take exit 9A to merge onto I-494 East/MN-5 East. Keep right at the fork to continue on MN-5 East and use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards the terminals.

MSP Airport Parking Information

Official Airport Parking

Hourly Parking — Terminal 1 and Terminal 2

The hourly parking garages at MSP are suitable for stays of under 4 hours. Terminal 1 (gold ramp level 3) and Terminal 2 (purple parking ramp) both have hourly parking garages outside of the terminal.

• First hour: $5
• Each additional hour: $3
• Daily maximum charge: $30 for Terminal 1 and $36 for Terminal 2

Daily Parking — Terminal 1

Parking suitable for over 4 hours is located at Terminal 1 in the green, gold, blue, red, pink, and brown ramps. All parking ramps are connected to Terminal 1 with walkways and allow vehicle clearance of 7 feet.

• First hour: $5
• Each additional hour: $3
• Daily maximum charge: $30

Quick Ride Ramp — Terminal 1

The quick ride ramp is located 1 mile from Terminal 1 and offers cheap and convenient parking. A free 24/7 shuttle bus picks passengers up from their cars and transports them to the terminal in just 5 minutes.

The parking garage is located just off Highway 5 at the Post Road exit at 5315 Northwest Dr., St. Paul, MN 55111. The quick ride ramp has a vehicle clearance of 9 feet 10 inches and is the only ramp with motorcycle parking.

• First hour: $3
• Daily maximum charge: $15

Valet Parking

Valet parking is only available at Terminal 1. The service is accessible by driving past the hourly and daily parking exits and following the signs for “Valet Parking.”

• First hour: $10
• Each additional hour: $3
• Daily maximum charge: $50

Pick-up or Drop-off Parking

The cell phone waiting lot is located between Terminals 1 and 2 on Post Road and offers free parking to friends and family waiting to pickup a passenger from MSP. Once a passenger is ready for pickup, then the vehicle can drive to the terminal curbside for collection.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Off-site parking lots can offer more affordable options than on-property airport parking. These are often located a little further away but with free shuttle buses transporting passengers to and from the airport.

Off-site daily parking starts at $11 and can be booked at airportparkingreservations.com where you can compare fees and distance from the airport.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Parking for disabled passengers is available in all parking lots at MSP.

Parking Contact Number

General parking inquiries: 612-725-4681

Car Rental at MSP Airport

MSP has car rental companies in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as well as some rental companies based off-site. At Terminal 1, rental car counters can be found between the blue and red parking ramps on the second and third levels. At Terminal 2, these are located in the ground transportation center of the purple parking ramp.

Rental Companies On-airport Property

Rental Companies Off-airport Property

Passengers can access these rental companies by taking the shuttle bus from the Terminal 1 transit center:

• Ace: 952-345-4017

Hot Tip: Avoid paying for expensive insurance through the rental company by reading about the credit cards that include car rental insurance as a benefit. 

MSP Airport Hotels

MSP has 1 hotel located on airport property — the Intercontinental Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. The majority of other airport hotels are located 1.6-3 miles away from the terminal buildings.

Other hotels range from 2- to 4-stars, with 5-star hotels only available in downtown Minneapolis. These are the most popular hotels close to MSP, ordered by distance from the airport.

MSP Airport Hotels — Sorted by Distance

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

You might be thinking that the InterContinental brand has no place as an airport hotel, but you’d be wrong! Not only is the InterContinental Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport the only hotel connected to MSP Airport, but it also features a luxury spa, thermal pool, and 3 outstanding restaurants that meet what one would expect from the InterContinental brand. Better yet, the hotel can be booked starting at 33,000 IHG points per night or using a free night certificate.

The Hyatt Regency Bloomington is not only close to the airport, but also the Mall of America for those looking to be close to the largest mall in the U.S. Guests have access to complimentary shuttle service to the Mall of America and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, along with an on-site restaurant, pool, and fitness center. The Category 2 hotel is an absolute steal at just 6,500 Hyatt points per night for off-peak dates. 

The JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America is perfect for those looking to be close to both the airport and the Mall of America, because the JW Marriott is actually attached to the Mall of America. Guests have the convenience of being in the heart of the action while enjoying the luxury of the JW brand. With Marriott’s dynamic pricing, the points needed will largely depend on the time of year that you visit but should cost from 30,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking to top off your points to stay at any of these options, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hyatt, Marriott, or Hilton points.

Final Thoughts

MSP’s 2 terminals are quite far apart from each other, so it’s important for passengers to know which terminal their airline operates from for correct drop-off and parking. That said, MSP does have transportation between the 2 terminals with frequent light rail service that is free of charge.

Connecting passengers account for 33% of MSP’s passenger traffic, so passengers must ensure they leave adequate time to connect between Terminals 1 and 2 and re-clear security, as there is no way to connect inside the secure area.

As with many U.S. airports, MSP is undergoing regular modernization and expansion projects to accommodate growth and enhance the passenger experience. These include additional departure gates, new shops and restaurants, improved roadways, and a new parking ramp.