Service Overview
Taxis at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) are a straightforward, curbside option with service provided by various licensed taxi companies. You’ll typically find cars staged in designated ground transportation areas, making this one of the easiest “walk-up and go” choices—especially after a long flight or when you don’t want to navigate transit with bags.
Best for: business travelers on tight schedules, families with luggage or car seats, and anyone arriving late at night. Overall reliability is strong because taxis are airport-regulated and available at both terminals; wait times can increase during major arrival banks, bad weather, or big events downtown.
Route & Destinations
- Downtown Minneapolis: typically 20–30 minutes depending on traffic; common destinations include the Warehouse District/Target Field area and downtown hotels.
- Downtown St. Paul: similar travel times vary by destination and traffic; taxis provide direct, door-to-door service.
- Metro area & suburbs: taxis can take you anywhere in the Twin Cities region (Bloomington, Mall of America area, Edina, etc.), with pricing based on meter/time and distance.
For connections, taxis can drop you at major transit hubs like Target Field Station (easy transfer to Northstar commuter rail and local buses) or at METRO Blue Line stations if you want to switch to light rail for part of your trip. If your final destination is downtown Minneapolis and you’re traveling light, the METRO Blue Line is the main alternative (about 30 minutes to downtown from the airport).
Pricing & Tickets
- Estimated fare to downtown Minneapolis: about $39–$49 (roughly 12 miles), including a reported $6.50 initial fee with airport access.
- How payment works: no tickets required—fares are calculated by meter/time and distance, plus any applicable airport fees or surcharges.
- Payment methods: most airport taxis accept credit/debit cards and cash; confirm card acceptance with the driver before departing if you don’t carry cash.
If you need the lowest-cost option to downtown, compare with light rail or bus (Metro Transit Route 54 connects from Terminal 1’s Transit Center, with Terminal 2 riders using the free LRT ride to Terminal 1 first).
Schedule & Frequency
Taxis are generally available 24/7 at MSP, with service frequency based on demand rather than a posted schedule. During peak arrival periods (late afternoon/evening and weekends), lines can form—either for taxis or for passengers—so allow extra time.
For late-night/early-morning trips when transit runs less frequently (or is not convenient), taxis remain one of the most dependable options for a direct ride.
Practical Tips
- Pickup points: follow airport signs for Ground Transportation at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, then proceed to the marked taxi curb/queue area.
- Luggage: standard sedans handle typical airline luggage; if you have oversized bags or multiple large suitcases, ask the starter/dispatcher for a larger vehicle if available.
- Accessibility: request an accessible (wheelchair-capable) taxi through the ground transportation staff/dispatcher when you arrive.
- Receipts: always take a receipt—useful for expense reports and lost-item follow-up.
- Best alternatives: for predictable pricing and app tracking, compare Uber/Lyft pickups at both terminals; for budget travel to downtown Minneapolis, use the METRO Blue Line (about 30 minutes) or Route 54 from Terminal 1.