Airport Taxi St Paul MN

How Far Is St Paul From MSP Airport?

Downtown St Paul sits about 8 miles northeast of MSP, according to MSP Airport. Visit Saint Paul gives the same distance. In light traffic the drive takes about 15 minutes. At rush hour, plan on 25 minutes or more.

Most drivers take one of two routes. From downtown and the West End, West 7th Street and Highway 5 run almost straight to the airport past Fort Snelling. From the East Side or the north end of the city, I-35E and Highway 62 are often faster. Your driver picks the route based on traffic at the time of your ride.

What Does a Taxi From MSP to St Paul Cost?

The Metropolitan Airports Commission sets the rules for taxis that pick up at MSP. Here are the official numbers from the MSP taxi page:

A few things to know about these numbers. First, the meter keeps running in traffic, so a rush-hour ride costs more than a late-night one. Second, some travel sites still list a $6.75 meter start and a $4.25 access fee. Those are older figures. The numbers above come from MSP’s own page.

For a ride booked ahead with an airport taxi St Paul MN service like ours, call 651-452-9000 for a quote before you ride.

Why the $23.50 Flat Fare Does Not Apply to St Paul

MSP has one flat “zone fare” of $23.50. It only covers short trips: rides between the two terminals, to the InterContinental hotel at the airport, to Fort Snelling National Cemetery, to Mall of America, and to places inside the loop formed by Highway 77, Highway 62, Highway 5, and I-494.

St Paul is outside that loop. Every ride from MSP to St Paul is priced by the meter, not the flat fare.

The Route 54 Bus and the Terminal 2 Problem

St Paul has a direct bus to the airport, and it is a good one. Metro Transit’s Route 54 runs between Union Depot in Lowertown and Mall of America. It stops at Terminal 1 and at five stops along West 7th Street. The ride from downtown takes about 20 minutes.

Here is the catch most travelers miss. The bus does not stop at Terminal 2. MSP’s bus service page says passengers arriving at Terminal 2 must first ride the light rail to Terminal 1 to reach city buses. That matters because Sun Country and Southwest both fly out of Terminal 2.

So a Sun Country flyer heading home to St Paul needs to:

1. Walk to the light rail station at Terminal 2.
2. Ride the train to Terminal 1.
3. Find the transit center and wait for Route 54.
4. Ride the bus downtown, then get from the bus stop to home.

With one bag, that is fine. With kids, car seats, or two big suitcases, it is a lot. An airport taxi St Paul MN ride picks you up at either terminal and drops you at your front door.

Late Nights and Heavy Bags

Route 54 does not run all night. If your flight lands after the last bus, you need another way home. We run 24/7, so a late landing is not a problem. We also monitor flights in real time, so if your plane is early or late, your pickup moves with it.

St Paul Neighborhood Pickup Guide

St Paul is a city of neighborhoods, and airport taxi St Paul MN pickups work a little differently in each one. Here is what to expect in the areas we serve most.

Downtown and Lowertown. Many downtown buildings sit on the skyway system, so tell us which street door you will use. In Lowertown, we pick up near Mears Park, Union Depot, and the loft buildings along Wall Street and Broadway.

Cathedral Hill and Summit Hill. Summit Avenue and Grand Avenue are lined with homes, shops, and narrow side streets. A building number and cross street help your driver find you fast.

Highland Park and Mac-Groveland. These southwest neighborhoods are among the closest parts of St Paul to MSP. From Ford Parkway or Mississippi River Boulevard, the airport is just across the river.

West 7th and the West End. This is the Route 54 corridor, and it is the most direct road to the airport. It is also home to the old Schmidt Brewery buildings and many small restaurants.

Midway. Near University Avenue and Allianz Field, Midway riders often head to the airport after work trips or games.

West Side. Just across the river from downtown, the West Side sits close to Highway 52, which gives a quick path south.

Dayton’s Bluff, Payne-Phalen, and the East Side. These neighborhoods are a bit farther from MSP. Leave a few extra minutes, especially at rush hour.

Como. Near Como Park Zoo & Conservatory and Como Lake, riders on the north side of the city usually take I-35E south.

Union Depot to MSP: Train to Plane

Union Depot in Lowertown is St Paul’s train station. It serves Amtrak trains and many Metro Transit buses. If you arrive by train and have a flight to catch, a taxi from the Union Depot curb to MSP takes about 15 to 20 minutes in normal traffic.

Booking an airport taxi St Paul MN ride from the station works like any other pickup. Tell us your train’s arrival time when you book. If your train runs late, call us and we will adjust.

Rides for Games, Concerts, and Winter Carnival

St Paul hosts big events all year. Out-of-town fans often fly in for them.

Xcel Energy Center and RiverCentre. The Minnesota Wild play at the Xcel Energy Center, which also hosts major concerts. RiverCentre next door holds conventions and trade shows. After an event, traffic around West 7th and Kellogg Boulevard backs up, so a set pickup time helps.

Saint Paul Winter Carnival. The Winter Carnival runs each year from late January into early February, with ice sculptures, parades, and events across the city. Winter visitors land at MSP in the cold, often with heavy coats and gear.

Minnesota State Fair. The Minnesota State Fair runs for 12 days ending on Labor Day at the fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, right on St Paul’s northern edge. If guests are flying in for the fair, we can bring them from MSP to your home or hotel.

Business Travel Near the Capitol

St Paul is Minnesota’s capital. The Minnesota State Capitol and the state office buildings around it draw lawmakers, lobbyists, and business travelers all year, especially during the legislative session. Downtown is also home to many corporate and government offices.

For work trips, an airport taxi St Paul MN pickup at your office or hotel keeps your schedule simple. If you book rides for a team, see our corporate transportation service.

Which MSP Terminal Is Your Flight?

MSP has two terminals, and they are not side by side. Delta, the airport’s largest airline, flies from Terminal 1. Sun Country and Southwest fly from Terminal 2. Tell us your airline when you book, and your driver will take you to the right one. Learn more about our Terminal 1 airport taxi and Terminal 2 airport taxi service.

Coming Soon: The METRO J Line

Metro Transit is planning the METRO J Line, a rapid bus line along West 7th Street between downtown St Paul and Mall of America by way of MSP. It is meant to replace Route 54 with faster, more frequent service. It is still in planning, so it is not an option for your trip today.

Why Book Ahead With Gold & Green

Taxis wait in line at MSP, but an airport taxi St Paul MN trip from your St Paul home needs to be booked. Here is what you get when you book with us:

• 24/7 service, including early morning and late-night rides.
• Real-time flight monitoring on airport pickups, so your ride adjusts if your flight changes.
• Our Zero Stress Guarantee on your booked ride.
• Clean cars and professional drivers, two things riders mention often in our Google reviews.

Is Your Taxi Company Licensed?

Airport taxi service at MSP follows rules set by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. You can look up Minnesota licenses through the state’s eLicense system. Gold & Green Taxi is based at 3165 Dodd Rd in Eagan, just across the river from St Paul. Learn more about us.

St Paul Airport Taxi FAQ

Can I catch the bus to St Paul from Terminal 2?

No. Route 54 only stops at Terminal 1. From Terminal 2, you have to ride the light rail to Terminal 1 first, or take a taxi from the Terminal 2 Ground Transport Center.

Does the $23.50 flat zone fare apply to St Paul?

No. The zone fare only covers trips inside the Highway 77, Highway 62, Highway 5, and I-494 loop, plus Mall of America. Rides to St Paul are metered.

Can you pick me up at Union Depot?

Yes. Give us your train’s arrival time when you book, and we will meet you at the Union Depot curb in Lowertown.

Do you serve Highland Park, Como, and other St Paul neighborhoods?

Yes. We serve all of St Paul, from Highland Park and Mac-Groveland to Como, Midway, the East Side, and downtown.

Can I book an airport taxi St Paul MN ride after a Wild game?

Yes. Book a set pickup time near the Xcel Energy Center, and your driver will meet you after the game or concert.

Other Cities We Serve

St Paul is one of many cities we cover across the Twin Cities. See our full list of service areas.