Minneapolis Airport Guide

MSP Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

What to Expect

Minneapolis Airport (Code: MSP) is a busy, modern airport with two terminals: Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) and Terminal 2 (Humphrey). T1 is the primary terminal, with seven concourses (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) serving most airlines. T2 has only one concourse (H), primarily for low-cost airlines. The terminals are connected by a free landside light rail service that continues to the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis. There is also a tram that moves within areas of T1.

Given the difference in size between the terminals, it should come as no surprise that T1 has more services and amenities. Here, you’ll find the Airport Mall, with a handful of 24-hour restaurants. T2 has a more limited selection but is, as a result, quieter and easier to navigate. The airport offers free WiFi and plenty of charging points to keep you connected and entertained while you wait. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges that economy-class passengers can pay to access.

Sleeping in Minneapolis Airport

Both terminals at Minneapolis-St. Paul are friendly to airport sleepers. T1 is busier, and thus noisier. There’s a good amount of seating throughout the airport, but it tends to have armrests. Terminal 1 is large, so there are many nooks and crannies that offer some quieter floor sleeping spots. In general, Terminal 2 has less foot traffic, especially at night, so it tends to be calmer.

Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:

• Terminal 1 –  Airside, Mezzanine Level, Level 3. Two designated quiet areas have comfortable seats without armrests.
• Terminal 1 – Airside, Gates A13-14 and B13 may be quieter, especially at night.
• Terminal 1 – Airside, Concourse D.  The observation deck may offer some peace and quiet
• Terminal 1 –  Airside, Concourse E. Some benches without armrests are spread throughout this concourse.
• Pay massage chairs are located randomly throughout the airport, and you may be able to rest in them without paying for a massage.
• Terminal 1 – Baggage Claim, Landside, in T1’s Baggage Claim area, has some semi-private carpet patches behind the escalators.

There are two designated quiet areas airside, complete with armrest-free benches and power outlets. There are also lower traffic areas in T1 near the observation deck, Concourse D, Concourse E, Gates A13/14, and behind the escalators in baggage claim. T2 has much less passenger traffic, making finding a peaceful and relaxing overnight spot easier.

No matter where you decide to sleep at MSP, be sure to bring warm clothes, a blanket/sleeping bag, a sleep mask and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones with you. The airport can be cold, loud and bright at all hours, making these items essential to a good rest. If you’re looking for uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport connected by shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.

Good to Know

MSP Airport experiences its fair share of winter snow storms, which means delays and cancellations are common between November and March. At an airline’s request, the airport provides a limited supply of sleeping mats and travel blankets to stranded passengers. Inquire with your airline if you find yourself in this predicament.

Read traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Minneapolis Airport Guide.

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Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours on the landside in both Terminal 1 (T1) and Terminal 2 (T2). Airside areas close overnight once security checkpoints shut down, so unless you are already in transit with a valid boarding pass, you will need to remain landside and re-clear security in the morning.

TSA checkpoints generally open around 4:00 AM in both terminals (T1: Concourses A–G; T2: Concourse H). Closing times vary by flight schedule, but typically around 1:00 AM in T1 and midnight in T2.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

Two separate quiet seating areas are available in Terminal 1 (Lindbergh). Both are located airside on the Mezzanine Level overlooking the Airport Mall and are accessed via the stairs or elevator near the entrances to Concourses E and F.

While these areas share the same mezzanine level, they are distinct seating sections rather than one continuous space. They are generally quieter than gate seating but not private or designated sleeping rooms.

As with sleeping anywhere in a public airport, keep valuables secured and within reach.

Cots

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport is accustomed to large-scale disruptions during winter weather. When mass flight cancellations occur, a limited supply of sleeping mats and blankets may be distributed to stranded passengers who are unable or unwilling to book a hotel.

Availability is event-based, not guaranteed, and cannot be reserved in advance. Mats are typically distributed by airport or airline staff during major irregular operations.

Past traveller reports have cited distribution at the following locations:

Terminal 1 (Airside):

• Airport Mall
• Near Gate C16
• Near Gate G9
• Near the entrance to Concourse E

Terminal 2: Contact your airline for assistance

Important: These mats are not provided for routine overnight stays—only during widespread cancellations.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the terminal doesn’t work for you, there is one hotel directly connected to the airport and many nearby hotels offering free airport shuttles.

Hotels at the Airport

Intercontinental Minneapolis Airport – Located on airport property, with 24-hour shuttle service to both T1 and T2. The hotel has a full gym with showers; day access for non-guests may be available with a paid pass. » Check Rates

More hotels near Minneapolis Airport

• AC Hotel Bloomington Mall of America » Check Rates
• Courtyard by Marriott Bloomington by Mall of America » Check Rates
• Element Bloomington Mall of America » Check Rates
• Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport » Check Rates
• Hampton Inn Suites Minneapolis St Paul Arpt-Mall of America » Check Rates
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Minneapolis Airport-Mall Area » Check Rates
• Hilton Minneapolis St Paul Airport Mall of America » Check Rates
• Hyatt Place Minneapolis Airport South » Check Rates
• Hyatt Regency Bloomington-Minneapolis » Check Rates
• Radisson Blu Mall of America » Check Rates
• SpringHill Suites Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport/Mall of America » Check Rates
• TownePlace Suites by Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Minneapolis Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

• Escape Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, north end of the Airport Mall on the Mezzanine Level. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
• PGA MSP Lounge – Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
• United Club – Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse E, between Gates E6 and E8. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.

Airline Lounges (members only)

Delta Sky Club – Multiple Locations – (1) Concourse C • (1) Concourse F • (1) Concourse (G).

Military Lounges

Armed Forces Service Center (AFSC) – The AFSC offers current members of the military — active-duty, National Guard, Reservists, their dependents, retirees, DOD employees — a lovely lounge with a TV, access to a military DSN phone line, CAC reader, cell phone, free Wi-Fi, iPads, fax/printer /copier machine, bathroom and toiletries. It also has complimentary snacks and beverages as well as limited sleeping bunks. Location: Terminal 1, Concourse A, Level 2. Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:45 PM.

Drinking Water

There are multiple water filling stations throughout the two terminals, both Landside and Airside.

Food & Drinks

Food outlets across both terminals operate on varying schedules, and most close overnight. During late-night and early-morning hours, food options are limited to vending machines:

• Farmers Fridge – Terminal 1, MSP Mall • Terminal 1, Airside, Concourses C, E, F • Terminal 1, Landside • Terminal 2, Airside, Concourse H
• Donut Trap – Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse F • Terminal 2, Airside, Concourse H
• Illy – Terminal 1, MSP Mall • Terminal 1, Landside, • Terminal 1, Airside, Concourse G • Terminal 2, Airside, Concourse H
• Subway Vending – Terminal 2, Concourse H

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Luggage storage and lockers are not available at Minneapolis Airport. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Free charging is widely available.

• Samsung Power Pole charging stations are located throughout airside areas of Terminals 1 and 2.
• Power Seating with built-in outlets is available near food courts and in Concourses A, C, E, F, and all of G.
• In Terminal 2, power seating is found in Southwest Airlines gated areas and near the Service Center opposite Gate H3.
• Landside outlets are available near food courts in both terminals.

Showers

Showers are available in a few lounges. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free unlimited WiFi is available at the Minneapolis Airport. Connect to the “MSP Free WiFi” network.

Security & Safety

Airport staff seem to tolerate airport sleepers, particularly during mass delays or cancellations. If you’re inside the airside zones, you can stay there overnight, but security staff may not allow you through the night before an early-morning flight. In that case, you may have to remain in the landside/public zones.

At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Minneapolis Airport. However, incidents of pickpockets have been reported elsewhere. Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

• Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
• Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
• Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
• Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.

More Airport Information