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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

Terminals: 2 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
Minimum connection time: 35 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
To Minneapolis: about 25 min one-way
Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Terminals & connections

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport has 2 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. 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)

5 airlines: Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, Allegiant Air

Low-cost carriers and Sun Country.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic: 35 min
Domestic to international: 1 hr
International to domestic: 1 hr 15 min
International to international: 1 hr 15 min
Transfer system: Light rail connects T1 and T2 (landside)
Airside connected: No

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave MSP.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at MSP is 25 minutes at peak and 8 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

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/G

Delta / 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-$3	25-30 min
Uber/Lyft Rideshare	$25-$40	15-30 min

Parking

MSP parking ranges from $14/day economy to $30/day short-term.

Short-term: $30/day
Long-term: $24/day
Economy: $14/day
Valet: Not available

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?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from MSP, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at MSP?

MSP requires at least 35 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. MSP terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. Transfer system: Light rail connects T1 and T2 (landside).

How long does it take to get between terminals at MSP?

Budget 10 min for same-terminal transfers and 20 min for different-terminal transfers at MSP via Light rail connects T1 and T2 (landside). T1 and T2 require light rail + re-security; most passengers stay in one terminal.

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-$3, taking 25-30 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. Typical peak-hour wait is 25 minutes.

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, $24/day long-term, $14/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

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, Spirit Airlines, Frontier 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 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers MSP ranks well for quick layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT MSP dom-to-dom: 35 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

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/parking-transportation
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis%E2%80%93Saint_Paul_International_Airport

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport before flying.