MSP · Minneapolis, MN · Major Hub
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport Guide
Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.
Quick answer
- Terminals: 2 terminals
- Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
- Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
- To Minneapolis: about 25 min one-way
- Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes
Map
Terminals & connections
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport has 2 terminals. Transfer system: Light rail connects T1 and T2 (landside). T1 and T2 require light rail + re-security; most passengers stay in one terminal.
Terminal 1 (Lindbergh)
9 airlines: Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, Air France, and more
Main Delta hub.
Terminal 2 (Humphrey)
4 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Allegiant Air
Low-cost carriers and Sun Country.
Minimum connection times
- Domestic to domestic
- 30 min
- Domestic to international
- 1 hr
- International to domestic
- 1 hr 30 min
- International to international
- 1 hr 30 min
- Transfer system
- Light rail connects T1 and T2 (landside)
- Airside connected
- Not published
Layover helper
Find how long to plan for a connection at MSP: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.
Writing about MSP? Embed this connection time calculator on your site
Security & TSA
Security waits at MSP vary by time of day and checkpoint. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Check live MSP security wait times
- TSA PreCheck
- Available
- CLEAR
- Available
- Global Entry
- Available
Lounges
1 notable lounge at MSP, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.
Delta Sky Club
Terminal 1 Concourse F/GDelta / SkyTeam
Access: Sky Club membership, Amex Platinum (restricted), Delta One
Amenities: Showers, Buffet
Amenities
5 of 7 core amenities available at MSP: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.
Showers
Available
Delta Sky Clubs
Sleep pods
Not available
WiFi
Free (good)
Nursing rooms
Available
All concourses
Chapel
Available
Concourse C mezzanine
Pet relief areas
Available
Pet relief areas
Dining highlights
Concourse C: Surdyk's Flights, Shoyu
Ground transport to Minneapolis
MSP is about 25 min from downtown Minneapolis by the fastest transit option.
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
METRO Blue Line light rail Train Direct rail to downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America. | $2 | about 25 min |
Uber/Lyft Rideshare | Varies | Varies |
Parking
MSP parking ranges from $23/day economy to $30/day short-term. Daily ramps at Terminal 1 are $30/day max (best for long stays). The Value Parking lot is $23/day (daily maximum). Valet at Terminal 1 is $55/day. Hourly lots serve visits under 4 hours. Rates are from the per-lot pages under mspairport.com/parking.
- Short-term
- $30/day
- Long-term
- $30/day
- Economy
- $23/day
- Valet
- $55/day
Can I leave MSP during a layover?
Yes, MSP is close enough to Minneapolis that a 3-hour layover is workable. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Minneapolis. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 min plus re-screening on return.
Mall of America is one light-rail stop from MSP; great for 2-3 hour layovers. Downtown Minneapolis is 25 min by rail.
Overnight layover hotels
- $$$InterContinental at MSP (T1)On-airport
Frequently asked questions
How early should I arrive at MSP?
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.
What is the minimum connection time at MSP?
MSP requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Light rail connects T1 and T2 (landside).
How long does it take to get between terminals at MSP?
We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for MSP, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.
Can I leave MSP during a 3-hour layover?
Yes, MSP is close enough to Minneapolis that 3-hour layovers are workable. Round-trip to the city center is about 50 minutes plus re-screening. Mall of America is one light-rail stop from MSP; great for 2-3 hour layovers. Downtown Minneapolis is 25 min by rail.
Does MSP have showers?
Yes, MSP has showers at Delta Sky Clubs.
Does MSP have sleep pods?
MSP does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.
Is WiFi free at MSP?
Yes. MSP offers free WiFi throughout the airport.
What is the cheapest way to get from MSP to Minneapolis?
The cheapest option is typically METRO Blue Line light rail at $2, taking about 25 minutes. Direct rail to downtown Minneapolis and Mall of America.
Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MSP?
MSP supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, and MSP posts live wait times on its website.
Where should I eat at MSP during a layover?
Notable dining at MSP includes Surdyk's Flights (Concourse C), Shoyu (Concourse C).
How much does parking cost at MSP?
MSP parking rates: $30/day short-term, $30/day long-term, $23/day economy, $55/day valet. Daily ramps at Terminal 1 are $30/day max (best for long stays). The Value Parking lot is $23/day (daily maximum). Valet at Terminal 1 is $55/day. Hourly lots serve visits under 4 hours. Rates are from the per-lot pages under mspairport.com/parking.
Is there a hotel at MSP for overnight layovers?
Yes. InterContinental at MSP (T1) is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.
Which terminal does my airline use at MSP?
MSP has 2 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh): Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines; Terminal 2 (Humphrey): Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.
Are there pet relief areas at MSP?
Yes. Pet relief areas.
Is there a chapel or prayer room at MSP?
Yes. Concourse C mezzanine.
Compare MSP to other airports
See how MSP ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.
Airlines operating at MSP
Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of MSP.
Compare other airports
Sources & verification
- Overview: https://www.mspairport.com
- Ground transport: https://www.mspairport.com/directions/ground-transportation https://www.metrotransit.org/fares-passes/paying-for-your-ride/ https://www.mspairport.com/directions/ground-transportation/light-rail-transit
- Terminals: https://www.mspairport.com/airport/terminal-information
- Connection times: https://www.expertflyer.com/air/travel-information https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/WelcomeToTheUS.pdf
- Security: https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/schedule https://www.mspairport.com/airport/security-screening
- Parking: https://www.mspairport.com/parking/daily-parking
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis%E2%80%93Saint_Paul_International_Airport
Connection times, security, ground transport and parking verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport before flying.
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