Getting around · Minneapolis · United States
Getting around Minneapolis
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Steve Lyon, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Metro Transit's Blue and Green light rail lines connect the airport, the Mall of America, downtown, the University of Minnesota and Saint Paul, and buses fill the gaps. The city has an extensive network of bike paths and is easy to cycle in summer. No, if you stay downtown or near the light rail; transit, bikes and rideshares cover the main sights.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Tram
- Airports
- MSP
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Metro Transit day pass
Ways to get around
Tram
The Blue Line runs from Target Field through downtown to the airport and the Mall of America; the Green Line runs from Target Field past the university to downtown Saint Paul. Trains are frequent through the day.
Buy tickets at station machines or in the Metro Transit app before boarding; inspectors check fares on board.
Bus
Metro Transit buses cover the whole city, including rapid-bus lines with fewer stops on major corridors such as Chicago Avenue and Lake Street.
Cycling
Protected lanes, the Midtown Greenway and the paths around the lakes and the river make cycling pleasant from spring to autumn, with a city bike-share service in the warmer months.
Lake paths have separate lanes for bikes and pedestrians; follow the painted signs.
Walking
Downtown, the Mill District and the North Loop are close together and walkable, and in winter the skyway lets you cross downtown indoors.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are widely used for evenings and for trips to areas such as Northeast or Paisley Park that are awkward by transit.
Car
Driving is straightforward outside rush hour, but downtown parking is costly; a car is mainly useful for day trips and Paisley Park.
In winter, follow snow-emergency parking rules or your car may be towed.
Tickets and passes
Metro Transit day pass
Unlimited rides on light rail and buses for 24 hours, bought from station machines or the app.
From the airport
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is about 16 km south of downtown. The Blue Line light rail runs from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to downtown in about 25 minutes. Taxis and rideshares take about 20–25 minutes outside rush hour.
Do you need a car?
No, if you stay downtown or near the light rail; transit, bikes and rideshares cover the main sights. A car is useful for Paisley Park, Stillwater and the North Shore.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul | About 45 minutes by light rail, 15–20 minutes by car | Green Line light rail |
| Stillwater | About 40 minutes | Car |
| Lake Minnetonka and Excelsior | About 35 minutes | Car |
| Taylors Falls and Interstate State Park | About 1 hour | Car |
| Red Wing | About 1 hour 10 minutes | Car |
| Duluth | About 2.5 hours | Car or intercity bus |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Minneapolis?
No, if you stay downtown or near the light rail; transit, bikes and rideshares cover the main sights. A car is useful for Paisley Park, Stillwater and the North Shore.
+How do you get from the airport to Minneapolis?
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is about 16 km south of downtown. The Blue Line light rail runs from both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 to downtown in about 25 minutes. Taxis and rideshares take about 20–25 minutes outside rush hour.
+What is the best way to get around Minneapolis?
Tram: The Blue Line runs from Target Field through downtown to the airport and the Mall of America; the Green Line runs from Target Field past the university to downtown Saint Paul. Trains are frequent through the day.