Don't Pick the Wrong Terminal: The Insider Guide to MSP Airport

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is one of the most efficient airports in the United States. However, its terminals often trip people because it is two separate buildings sharing the same name. 

Minneapolis Airport is approximately 10 miles from downtown Minneapolis. It is a hub for Delta Airlines that is responsible for about two-thirds of the traffic together with its regional partners. Sun Country is the second-largest airline that operates from Terminal 2. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separated from each other by three miles. These two terminals are not connected airside and are reached through different roads. 

It’s essential for you to check the Minneapolis Airport map and confirm the terminal to avoid hassle at the last minute. In this guide, I have compared the official airport pages against what people actually report and focused on the mistakes that cost the travelers on the departure day. So, if you have an upcoming journey to or from Minneapolis Airport, then sit back and go through this detailed report to make your travel easy and hassle-free. 

MSP Airport at a Glance

Minneapolis Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). Both terminals have separate buildings, and the distance between the two is three miles. Terminal 1 is the main and larger setup with seven concourses, whereas Terminal 2 is simple to navigate and smaller in size with just one concourse. Here is the table containing the major information about the airport.   

Terminal 1 at the Minneapolis Airport mainly serves the legacy carriers that are responsible for long-haul and international flights. While Terminal 2 is smaller in size and domestic and short-haul flights operate from here. 

Which Airlines Operate from Each Terminal?

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separated from each other by three miles, and both have to be accessed using different roads. Therefore, it’s really essential to confirm your flight terminal, because a wrong turn can cost you real time. 

Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Terminal 1 Airlines

Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Terminal 1 is the main gateway and has a total of seven concourses lettered A through G. Delta uses most of them (A, B, C, D, F, and G), while the international carriers operate its flights from Terminal G. Terminal 1 features 11 airlines, which are listed below: 

1. Delta Air Lines (the airport's major hub)

2. American Airlines

3. United Airlines

4. Alaska Airlines

5. Air Canada

6. Air France

7. KLM

8. Aer Lingus

9. Discover Airlines

10. Denver Air Connection

11. WestJet

Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Terminal 2 Airlines

Terminal 2 has a single concourse lettered Concourse H and has 14 gates in total. Navigation at this terminal is super easy; ticketing and baggage claim happen at level 1, and security and gates are located at level 2. There are four airlines that operate from Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Terminal 2, which are listed here: 

1. Frontier Airlines

2. Icelandair

3. Southwest Airlines

4. Sun Country Airlines

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What Lounges Are Available at MSP Airport?

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) has several lounges, but all the lounges are available only in Terminal 1. As of now, there are no lounges or paid-entry rooms inside Terminal 2. Lounge access at MSP is built around Delta, which makes sense at a Delta hub.

Delta Sky Club

With three lounges across different concourses of Terminal 1, Delta dominates the lounge scene at the airport. Delta gives access to Delta Sky Club to travelers with same-day ticketed boarding passes (excluding basic economy fares). Along with this, the premium credit card holders (Delta SkyMiles Reserve, Reserve Business, Amex Platinum, or Amex Business Platinum), Medallion, and SkyTeam Elite Plus members, and Delta Sky Club paid members can also access the lounge. 

Here are the areas where the Delta lounges are available inside Terminal 1: 

• Concourse C: Located next to gate 12. It opens at 6 am in the morning and closes at 10 pm at night. It tends to be quieter than the other two lounges of Delta. 

• Concourse F: The lounge is situated at the entrance of Concourse F, located very close to the MSP Mall. This is a suitable option for travelers with early morning flights, as it opens at 4:45 am and closes at 10:15 pm, making it the longest-running lounge of Delta in a day. 

• Concourse G: If you are taking an international flight of Delta Airlines, then this is the option for you. It is located across from Gate 18 and runs daily between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. It is the largest of all three options and has an outdoor sky deck, which you will rarely find in a Midwest airport. 

Additional Lounges at MSP Airport

Apart from Delta Sky Club, you might find independent lounges mostly at MSP Airport. So, if you do not have a special membership, you can still access these lounges, as most of them provide access on the spot. 

Here are your options outside Delta Sky Club: 

• The Massage Lounge by Chiroport: There are two lounges, one at Concourse C at gate 12 (daily, 7am-8pm), while the other sits inside Concourse F near gate F6 (daily, 7am-7pm). You can walk in and get the pass to access the lounge and relax before your flight. 

• Portal Lounge: It sits near the tram inside Concourse D and runs daily from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm. It is open for travelers flying with any airline; you should either have a priority pass or buy a pass on the travel day. It features gaming stations, bars, and food, making it a more unique lounge than most available at the airport. 

• Escape Lounge: It is located on the mezzanine level above the entrance to Concourse E in the Airport Mall. It spans 5000 square feet, and travelers of all airlines can easily access it by purchasing the pass on the day of travel. The American Express Platinum Cardholders will enjoy the complimentary access to the lounge. 

If you have a flight from Terminal 1, you might not spot any lounge inside the terminal. However, the terminal has a game room, charging points, and several food options to sit, relax, and eat before a flight. 

What Are the Best Hotels Near Minneapolis Airport?

There is only one Minneapolis airport hotel that is directly connected to the terminal building. And there are several low-cost and mid-range hotels just a drive away from the main terminal nearby Bloomington. 

The Hotel Inside the Airport: InterContinental Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport

The InterContinental Minneapolis is the only hotel physically attached to the terminal. It is located at 5005 Glumack Drive and is directly connected to Terminal 1 of Concourse C through a covered skybridge that takes you to gate C25. 

• Rooms: It is a 12-story tower with 291 guest rooms that provide a spectacular view of the runway and downtown. The rooms are soundproof, perfect for a relaxed sleep before an early flight.  

• Security checkpoint: At the skybridge, the hotel has its own TSA checkpoint. Guests can use this checkpoint to bypass the busy lines during rush hours. It operates daily from 5am to 10am. 

• Dining: There are three restaurants and bars available at the hotel. Apart from this, the hotel also has a penthouse-level observation bar. You can enjoy French-style fine dining and a variety of beverages and wine.  

• Shuttle: The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle that runs for 24 hours a day. Guests can use the shuttle for both terminals. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from level 1 of the gold ramp. 

• Parking: The hotel even has parking lots. Both self-parking and valet are available for $29/day and $45/day, respectively. 

The location is ideal if you are flying out of Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Terminal 1. However, if you are flying from Terminal 2, you can still make the booking, as a free shuttle runs to both terminals throughout the day and night, but you must call the hotel to give instructions for the transfer. 

Alternative Cheap Hotels Near Minneapolis Airport

If you find the InterContinental expensive and you want to spend less, there are several hotels near Minneapolis Airport. I have listed the three hotels that are cheap as well as value for money. All three of them offer complimentary shuttle service. Move to level 1 of the gold ramp to catch the shuttle. 

• Super 8 by Wyndham Bloomington/Airport: It is one of the cheapest options to stay near the airport, where the price ranges from $65 to $90 for a night. It is approximately 5 miles from the airport, and nightly rates include breakfast and parking. The hotel runs a complimentary shuttle throughout the day and night. 

• La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Minneapolis Airport Bloomington: Another cheaper option with a free shuttle available 24/7. The hotel also provides continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and parking for free. The price for a standard room starts from just $66. 

• Holiday Inn Bloomington W MSP Airport Area by IHG: If you are looking for a pet-friendly hotel, then your search ends here. You can bring up to three pets with a combined weight of 100 lbs for a fee of $50 per stay. A room at this hotel would cost around $90 to $108, depending on your choice, which includes parking. 

What Are the Minneapolis Airport Parking Options? 

Minneapolis Airport parking has been organized based on the terminal and the length of the stay. Travelers are advised to prebook their parking space at least 12 hours prior to flight departure. Also, you must bring a card, as the airport parking does not accept cash or checks.

Short-Term Parking

Short-term parking at MSP is commonly known as hourly parking. It is designed for quick pickups and drop-offs. 

• Terminal 1 Hourly Parking: It is directly connected to Terminal 1 via the skyway and has a vehicle height clearance of 7 feet. It cost $5 for the first hour, and then for each additional hour it cost $3. You can park here for a maximum of 4 hours.  

• Terminal 2 Hourly Parking: It is located just a short walk from the terminal building. The parking lot offers hourly parking in Orange and Purple Ramps. These ramps are covered and have a height clearance of 8 feet and 2 inches.     

• Cell phone lot: If you are visiting the airport for a quick pickup or drop-off and do not want to pay the hourly rate, then choose the cell phone lot, dedicated as a waiting area. It has two cell phone lots on the east and west sides.

The table below shows the current Minneapolis International Airport parking rates. 

Long-Term Parking

If you are going out for a weeklong trip, then the long-term parking option is the most ideal choice. 

• Terminal 1 Daily Parking: The lot offers parking at Green, Gold, Blue, Red, Silver, Pink, and Brown ramps. These ramps are covered, and vehicles up to 7 feet can access the space. 

• Terminal 2 Value Parking: The parking is available at the purple and orange ramps and is connected to the terminal via the skyway. The vehicles of up to a maximum size of 8 feet and 2 inches are welcome at the lot. 

• Quick Ride Ramp: It is the cheapest on-site parking option and runs a free shuttle to both the terminals for 24 hours and seven days a week. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes from 6am to 10pm. 

• ePark Elite and Valet: If you are looking for premium car service, these are the two options available at the airport. 

Take a look at the long-term parking rates at MSP Airport at the table below. 

Note: If your trip cancels for any reason, make sure to cancel your parking 12 hours before arrival for a full refund. Additionally, you can also make changes for free up to 12 hours before arrival. 

How Can You Get from Minneapolis–Saint Paul Airport to the City?

MSP has several transportation options that make it easy for passengers to leave the airport with ease. One of the most convenient options is the light rail line that runs to both terminals. Let’s explore your option one-by-one. 

Light Rail (METRO Blue Line)

The METRO Blue Line is the cheapest transport option to reach or leave the airport, costing only $2 to $2.50 maximum. A trip between downtown and Minneapolis Airport hardly takes more than 20 to 25 minutes. The train runs daily from 3:30 am to 12:00 am every 10 to 15 minutes, making it a great option for both early morning and late-night flights. 

• Terminal 1: The station is located below the Blue, Silver, and Red parking ramps, accessible via the Tram Level below Baggage Claim. 

• Terminal 2: The station is located on the north side of the Orange Ramp. Take a short walk from the terminal to reach the station. 

• Between terminals: The METRO rail runs to both terminals, and the ride is completely free. 

Taxis and Rideshare

Taxis are available for your use at any time from both Terminal 1 and 2. At Terminal 1, follow the signs to the Ground Transportation Center, where the taxi starter can be spotted. At Terminal 2 the taxi stand is on the ground level of the Purple Ramp in the Ground Transport Center. The taxis usually cost between $30 and $35 for a ride from the airport to downtown. 

Additionally, there are Uber, Lyft, and other app-based ride-sharing services available within the same ground transportation areas. It will cost approximately $30 to $40. 

Buses and Shuttle Vans

The city buses and the regional coaches depart from the Transit Center at Terminal 1. While terminal 2 has no bus pickups. The shuttle pickup happens at Level 1 of the gold/green or silver ramps at Terminal 1 and at the purple parking ramp at Terminal 2. 

Car Rental at Minneapolis Airport

The car rental at Minneapolis Airport is available in both the terminals. At Terminal 1, the counters are on the ground level of the Silver Parking Ramp, whereas in Terminal 2, it is located on the ground level of the purple ramp in the Ground Transport Center. 

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What Are the Services and Amenities at MSP Airport? 

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport offers a broad range of services and amenities across terminals 1 & 2. There are over 100 food, dining, and shop locations available at the airport. The travelers will enjoy the free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals. Since most of the flight activities take place in Terminal 1, it is the terminal with the most facilities. 

• Dining and shopping: The Minneapolis Airport food and dining options are mostly concentrated post-security on Level 2 of both the terminals. The majority of the shops are located in Terminal 1 across Central Airport Mall and Concourse A through G, whereas Terminal 2 is a smaller area, which features shops along Concourse H. 

• Wi-Fi and charging: The airport provides free Wi-Fi in both the terminals; simply turn on the Wi-Fi in your device and connect to the airport’s network. Additionally, you will find the charging stations through the gate areas. 

• Families and nursing mothers: The airport has the nursing suites and lactation rooms in both the terminals. At terminal 1, these services are available in most of the concourses, whereas at terminal 2, it is available near gate H10. Also, families will find the kid’s play zone in both the terminals.

• Pets and service animals: Traveling with a pet, find the pet relief area outside Doors 1 and 4 on the baggage claim level and outside the silver ramp. Additionally, there are three pet relief areas available inside the security near the Concourse E entrance in the Airport Mall, by Gate F6, and on the C/G Connector Bridge. Terminal 2 has two pet relief areas, one outside Door 8 and another inside near Gate H11. 

• Money and business: Travelers will easily find the Travelex currency exchange kiosk and ATMs in both terminals 1 & 2. Further, there is a conference center also available on the mezzanine above the entrance of Concourse F, along with a meeting room for small groups. 

• Accessibility: MSP Airport is supportive and friendly for the disabled and participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. If you require assistance at the airport, move to airport personnel for help at any of the information desks in terminals 1 & 2.

Conclusion 

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is easy to navigate and use once you understand the layout. It is basically two airports under the same name; Terminal 1 is responsible for Delta and international flights, while Terminal 2 serves Frontier, Icelandair, Southwest, and Sun Country. Also, the lounges and most of the shops and restaurants are available in terminal 1. So, make sure to confirm your terminal before heading towards the airport to avoid the hassle of finding the departure gate on the day of travel. 

Apart from this, plan a little for a perfect journey. Compare the parking and hotel options and book in advance to get the discounted rate. To avoid the city traffic, it’s best to use the METRO Blue Line. And check the lounges in Terminal 1 if you have a long layover.