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About Minneapolis
Located in the U.S state of Minnesota, Minneapolis is a medium-sized city of 400,000. It is located where the famous Mississippi River meets the Minnesota River. It was founded in 1680 by French explorers but didn't formally become a city until 1867.
As it is located well inland of the American continent, Minneapolis has a continential climate with hot summers and cold winters. Known as the "City of Lakes", there are many lakes located within the city's borders, including Harriet, Calhoun and Lyn Lakes and the "Chain O'Lakes", which is made of 15 seperate lakes connected by canals and streams. The Victorian-era houses of Nicollet Island, the historical workers' housing of the city's northern quarters, Eat Street, and Prospect Park are all places worth seeing when visiting. According to various U.S publications, Minneapolis is also one of the most technology-friendly cities in the country, because wi-fi is widely available across the downtown area and public transportation uses all the latest technology. It is also home to several well-known U.S sports teams, including the Minnesota Twins, the Timberwolves, and the Vikings.
Transportation to Minneapolis City Center from Airport
Minneapolis Saint Paul Intl. Airport
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is the primary airport serving the state of Minnesota, having handled over 36 million passengers in 2015. The airport is about 15 km from downtown Minneapolis and is one of the largest airports in the United States. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport operates passenger services out of 2 terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport provides passengers with a variety of services and amenities to meet their pre-flight and post-flight needs.
There are a variety of transportation alternatives available for passengers to get to the city center from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. First and foremost are taxis. Taxis are readily available at every hour of the day. Shuttles are another alternative as they provide practical and affordable service to every part of the city and surrounding areas. Renting a car is an ideal option for those who want to explore Minneapolis and neighboring cities. Like most places in the United States, there is a significant distance between cities so renting a car is the best alternative to getting around. However, if you want a transportation alternative that is more economical when traveling to other cities around Minneapolis then the bus is the best choice.
If you want a more luxurious method of transportation to get to the city center from the airport then you can book a limousine car service. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is a bike friendly airport, featuring special parking areas for bicycles so that cyclists can comfortably access the airport. Cyclists can get on the light rail and city bus service with their bicycle when needed. There are designated bike paths that cyclists can follow to get to and from the airport by bike.
The Lindbergh Ground Transportation Information Desk, located at Terminal 1, provides information on how to get to the city center and surrounding areas 24 hours a day.
Bus
After landing at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport you can easily take city buses to get to downtown Minneapolis. The bus is a convenient and affordable transportation alternative. Buses depart from in front of Terminal 1-Lindergh Transit Center. Passengers landing at Terminal 1 just need to head to the terminal exit and stay on Level 1. Passengers landing at Terminal 2 need to take the inter-terminal transportation to Terminal 1 to access the city buses. For more detailed information on bus routes and fares please visit Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport’s website or call 612-341-4287.
Another bus service that operates from the airport is the Jerrson Lines/Greyhound bus service. These buses provide transportation to locations in Minnesota and Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. These buses are accessible at Terminal 1- Lindergh Transit Center. There is no bus service at Terminal 2; passengers who land at Terminal 2 must make their way to Terminal 1 to access this bus service.
Another bus service that passengers can use to get to the city center from the airport are charter buses. Charter buses are a great option for large groups. Charter buses pick up passengers at the Terminal 1-Lindbergh Transit Center. For more information you can visit the information desk at the airport or make a reservation in advance online.
Rental Car
Renting a car is one of the most preferred methods of transportation in Minneapolis, and most cities in the United States. Renting a car is a great way to get around in the city during your trip. If you’re planning on visiting other cities nearby then keep in mind the that the distance between cities can be vast. So traveling between cities by car will take some time. Nevertheless, there are various rental car companies located at the airport. The drive to the city center is relatively easy, just follow the signs.
Rental car companies are located in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. At Terminal 1, rental car companies are located on the 2nd and 3rd level, between the Blue and Red parking ramps. At Terminal 2, rental car companies are located in the Ground Transportation Center. Rental car companies that you can choose from include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty. Some of the rental car companies are open 24 hours, others are open from 5 am or 6 am to 11 pm or midnight.
You can return your vehicle to the rental car office located in the city center or at the airport before your departure if you are flying out of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport at the end of your trip. If you want to return your vehicle to a different location make sure to discuss this with the rental car company in advance.
Hotel Shuttles
There are many hotels in the city that provide guests with shuttle services from the airport to the city center. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the city center from the airport by shuttle. Hotel shuttle services are a very practical and reliable form of transportation. First you have to find out if your hotel provides such services and then arrange your reservation ahead of time. Hotels in the area that provide airport shuttle services include Super 8, Hilton, Marriott, Radisson Blu and Ramada.
Rail
Another transportation alternative to get to the city center from the airport is by light rail. The light rail system provides transportation from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to the city center. Trains depart from both terminals at the airport and run to downtown Minneapolis, stopping at other destinations along the way. The train from the airport to Mall of America takes about 12 minutes and the train from the airport to downtown Minneapolis takes about 25 minutes.
Trains run every 10-15 minutes during the day and every 10 minutes during peak hours. Compared to other forms of transportation the light rail system is significantly cheaper. Tickets range between $2-3 depending on whether or not you’re traveling during peak hours. You can purchase tickets for the light rail from automated machines at the stations. For more detailed information please visit Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport’s website.
Taxi
Another comfortable and practical transportation alternative to get to the city center from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is by taxi. Taxis are readily available at the airport and accessible at the terminal exits. At Terminal 1, also known as Lindbergh, follow the signs that read ‘taxi’. At Terminal 2, also known as Humphrey, taxis are accessible from the Ground Transport Center. If you have excess luggage or are traveling with children you can ask staff members at the airport for assistance. The trip from the airport to downtown Minneapolis takes about 20-25 minutes by taxi and costs around 40-50 USD.
Shuttle Services
Several companies provide shared ride services and scheduled shuttle services from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to the city center. These shuttle services are a comfortable and reliable transportation alternative, especially for those traveling in large groups or with excess luggage. These companies provide bus, van, and limousine services to the city.
The overall rates for these shuttle services are higher when compared to public transportation alternatives and taxis. Rates will vary depending on the vehicle you choose, the number of total passengers, and your destination in the city. Shuttle services from the airport to downtown Minneapolis take about 30 minutes.
Reservations for these services are highly recommended. There are ticket counters located at the Ground Transportation Atrium at Terminal 1-Lindbergh. These shuttle services are also a great option if you’re traveling to other cities from the airport. Companies that provide these services include Executive Express, GO Carefree Shuttle, and Lakes Express.
For more detailed contact information on companies that provide scheduled services please visit Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport’s website. You can find out detailed information regarding rates and routes directly from the company you choose to use.
