Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) serves the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota. This growing international airport is home to Delta Air Lines’ major hub and privately-owned Sun Country Airlines, and it’s now a key player for travel in the Midwest.
Delta rules the roost, but there are other airlines
Delta is the biggest operator at the airport, flying across North America as well as to Europe and Asia. Chances are most passengers will be on Delta, which belongs to the SkyTeam alliance.
Other network airlines like Alaska, American, Southwest and United fly there, too. Among low-cost airlines, Frontier and Spirit are the biggest options. International airlines like Air Canada, Aer Lingus, Air France, Condor and Icelandair also have their place on the departure boards.
The best way to get to and from MSP
The three-letter code for the airport is MSP, representing the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Getting to and from MSP’s terminals isn’t that much of a trek from either downtown area. Reaching either of these two major cities requires about 10-12 miles of driving, so it doesn’t take long. As someone who only travels with a carry-on bag, I prefer taking the light rail from either Minneapolis (locals call it Minnie) or Saint Paul. You will save cash on a taxi or Uber ride plus won’t need to worry about parking.
You can find METRO Blue Line stations in both terminals, and trains run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes during regular hours, with an overnight Blue Line airport shuttle operating between 11 pm and 4:30 am.
Security checkpoint lines
Rush hour hits in the early morning here, and you’ll want to allow plenty of time. I use the expedited CLEAR service along with TSA PreCheck to get to the front of the line more quickly. These lanes are available at both the north and south checkpoints in terminal 1, but CLEAR is not available in terminal 2.
If you’re coming off an international flight, you’ll clear immigration and customs before going through another security checkpoint for any connecting flights. I find that there are rarely long lines for either of these, and they aren’t a far walk from re-entering the terminal.
Common pitfalls at the airport
MSP has two main terminals, and they’re not physically connected. This means if you’re connecting between the two, you need to allow plenty of time to exit security, take the free METRO Blue Line light rail, and reclear security in the other terminal. The good news is that the airport’s largest hub airline Delta operates all of its flights from the same terminal so most connections need not worry. If you do need to transit between the two, the light rail train is complimentary between the terminal stations.
You’ll need to do a lot of walking in the main Delta hub in Terminal 1, and there aren’t always moving sidewalks. I like being able to rack up a lot of steps, but when I have a tight connection, it can be a hike here. The airport even developed the MSP Start! Walking Path, which is a 1.4-mile trek around the terminal designed with the American Heart Association.
As an alternative, a tram operates along the C concourse, but it doesn’t reach all the gates. If you need to get between the far ends of the terminal, look for the skyway shortcut with moving walkways near gate C12. You’ll need to go up an escalator to find it, and it connects Concourse C with Concourse G.
Try these amenities to relax at the airport
After a long flight from Asia or Europe, I like to relax with a shower and a change of clothes if I have time. Unfortunately, the Delta Sky Clubs here don’t have showers. Luckily, you can find showers at the XpresSpa at the entrance to Concourse D in Terminal 1, but you’ll have to pay for the privilege.
Another cool way to get rid of that crick in your neck is by visiting one of several Chiroport locations at the airport. These chiropractic kiosks offer everything from a quick massage to a full lumbar adjustment.
Hidden gems at the airport
If you have a Priority Pass card (or simply want to pay for access), the PGA MSP Lounge in Terminal 1 is always a good time. Besides a food and drinks menu, you can practice your putt before your flight. It’s located upstairs from the main terminal, so it’s easy to miss.
Families will find two play areas in the airport (one in each terminal). These have slides and climbing games, all with an airport theme.
I find the arts and culture program to be a fun way to pass the time, but you have to know where to look. In the departures hall of terminal 1, “The Aurora” is a ceiling-mounted light sculpture that depicts the ideal position in the state to see the Northern Lights, especially in the countryside.
If you are traveling with kids, I recommend taking time to go down one level to the arrivals area. By stepping on several glass platforms on the floor (representing many of the state’s lakes), visitors can actually control a changing series of lights in the ceiling sculpture.
When I’m leaving from the C gates, I try to stop by the first cinema in a U.S. airport, located near gate C18. It plays a continuing loop of short films and documentaries by local filmmakers. If you run out of time, you can also watch some of the films on the airport foundation’s website.
What to do during a long layover
The Delta Sky Clubs here have good runway views, and I love that some of them have fireplaces. When it snows, it’s great to be warm inside with a hot drink watching the planes maneuver in the weather. MSP handles snow like a pro.
Hint: head for the newer Sky Club near gate G17, which has an outdoor, all-weather deck and bar. It’s great for plane spotting, and the design of the lounge takes inspiration from the 10,000 lakes in the state. Delta deserves credit for its newer lounges, which showcase regional features through art and photography.
Other lounge options include a United Club and an Escape Lounge. I find it disappointing there isn’t a larger credit card-affiliated lounge like a Centurion Lounge or Capital One Lounge. Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card members and those with The Platinum Card from American Express can visit the Delta Sky Club when flying on a same-day Delta reservation.
When I have long connections of at least 6 hours, I hop a taxi or the light rail train to the nearby Mall of America for a little retail therapy. The train ride takes just over ten minutes. The largest mall in the country has great dining and amusement park style rides. I wouldn’t recommend leaving the airport on shorter connections, but this is great for families looking to keep the kiddos busy.
If you don’t want to leave the airport, you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants. I love the locally born Black Sheep Pizza. This was the first coal-burning pizza outlet in Minnesota, and its airport pies are just as good as the ones in town.
Many gate areas have high-top tables with rows of mobile tablets. I sit there to work, power up my devices and order food directly from the screen. It saves valuable time waiting in line, and someone will bring your food right to you. The system even asks when your flight departs and won’t let you order if it’s cutting it too close.
You can sleep in the airport
Airports often do not condone sleeping in the airport terminal, especially after all flights have departed. Luckily, the InterContinental hotel at the airport is connected directly to Terminal 1 and has impressive runway views. Better yet, the TSA checkpoint inside the hotel is now open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. for carry-on luggage only, which is a major timesaver when it’s operational. Most other airport hotels require a shuttle.
In a region where weather can sometimes snarl travel plans, I have been offered travel mats to get some rest on the airport floor. Typically, the airport only provides these as a last resort when airlines request them or local hotels are sold out.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
