Minneapolis Airport Car Service: MSP Transportation Guide

Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 pickup comparison

Prearranged cars, vans, and limousines

MSP's current scheduled van and limousine page places Terminal 1 ticket counters in the Level 1 Ground Transportation Center between the Green and Gold ramps. Airport ground-transportation guidance places limousine and shuttle service in the GTC rather than at a made-up terminal door.

At Terminal 2, commercial ground transportation uses the Ground Transportation Center on the ground level of the Purple Ramp. Because provider type and operating assignment can differ, use the confirmed meeting instructions and airport signs. Do not apply a Terminal 1 ride-app zone or taxi booth to a prearranged vehicle.

Ride apps and taxis use different levels

The current dedicated ride-app page directs Terminal 1 passengers to Level 1 of the Green/Gold Ground Transportation Center and Terminal 2 passengers to Level 2 of the Purple Ramp. Some older MSP content still says Terminal 1 Level 2; this guide uses the newer dedicated mode page.

Taxi service uses a separate path. At Terminal 1, start at Tram Level T and follow signs one level up to the starter booth. At Terminal 2, use the ground-level Purple Ramp GTC. Staff assist from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.; self-service taxis remain available outside staffed hours.

Light rail and bus distinctions

METRO Blue Line serves both terminals. Terminal 1 station is below the Red, Blue, and Silver ramps, reached from Tram Level by airport tram. Terminal 2 station is on the north side of the Orange Ramp, reached from Level 1 through the Orange Ramp skyway. Terminal-to-terminal rail is free and runs 24/7.

Full-route light-rail service to downtown Minneapolis or Mall of America has its own operating schedule. Use Metro Transit's live timetable rather than assuming terminal-to-terminal hours apply to the entire route.

Metro Transit Route 54 uses the Terminal 1 Silver Ramp Transit Center; there is no Route 54 pickup at Terminal 2. SouthWest Transit uses the Terminal 1 Transit Center on Level 1 of the Silver Ramp and the Terminal 2 Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of the Purple Ramp. Check the operator for the exact route, reservation requirement, and date.

Rental cars at both terminals

All on-airport rental companies have counters at both terminals, and MSP says a rental can be returned to either terminal. At Terminal 1, counters are on the ground level of the Silver Ramp, reached by the underground tram and signs. At Terminal 2, counters are in the ground-level Purple Ramp GTC.

Hours vary by company and terminal. Confirm after-hours pickup or return before travel and allow time beyond the passenger-terminal arrival. A peer-to-peer car pickup has its own designated location and should not be treated as an on-airport rental counter.

Accessibility and inter-terminal assistance

Request terminal wheelchair assistance through the airline when arranging the flight. MSP's light-rail stations are accessible. The airport also operates a lift-equipped inter-terminal shuttle for travelers with mobility challenges and other special needs, serving Terminal 1 Level 1 Gold Ramp and Terminal 2 ground-level Purple Ramp.

The shuttle operates on a scheduled pattern during published daytime hours and on demand overnight; check the current airport page for dispatch instructions. For a booked ground vehicle, separately provide mobility-device dimensions, transfer ability, companions, luggage, and service animal. Confirm its actual equipment and pickup point.

Plan the Twin Cities destination precisely

Specify downtown Minneapolis or downtown St. Paul, then add the exact hotel, office, venue, hospital, campus building, or residence entrance. “Mall of America,” “downtown,” or a company name alone may not identify the correct loading area.

For Rochester or Mayo Clinic travel, compare a direct transfer with the scheduled regional services listed by MSP. Confirm the actual stop and schedule. Avoid fixed drive-time promises: weather, events, road work, and the destination side of the metro affect the trip.

Information to provide

• MSP, operating airline, flight, and date
• Terminal 1 or Terminal 2
• Passenger name and reachable mobile number
• Exact destination and preferred entrance
• Passenger and bag counts, including oversize items
• Child-seat and accessibility requirements
• Stops, appointment hard starts, and return plan
• Requested vehicle class confirmed for the trip

Hourly service starts at 3 hours for a retained vehicle and changing itinerary. A longer event minimum applies only when stated in the confirmed booking. Overtime is billed for the actual additional minutes at the applicable per-minute rate for your selected vehicle.

Cancellation terms: Sedan and SUV bookings receive a full refund when cancelled at least 48 hours before the scheduled pickup time. Sprinter bookings receive a full refund when cancelled at least 72 hours before the scheduled pickup time. Cancellations inside the applicable notice period are charged in full. If your flight is cancelled, there is no cancellation charge. These windows apply unless your quote says otherwise: event bookings and high-demand dates can carry a different window because of event pricing and availability, and your quote will state it.

Return-trip planning

Reconfirm airline and terminal, because the two terminal roads and addresses differ. Add the airline's check-in recommendation, bags, mobility assistance, and road/weather buffer. For a rental, use the correct ramp and provider return instruction.

If you reach the wrong terminal, free 24-hour light rail connects the airport stations. The accessible shuttle is an alternative for qualifying needs, but checking the airline terminal first is simpler.

MSP transportation FAQs