Here’s the thing: having a short layover in Minneapolis isn’t necessarily a problem. My personal record for a connection time at the Minneapolis Saint-Paul International Airport (MSP) is 40 minutes. I’m sure there are lots of people who have done it in less time than that.
The problem is that the odd configuration of the terminals at MSP makes it hard to plan for a short layover. Without knowing ahead of time where your arriving and departing gates will be, there’s no telling how short of a layover will be OK.
The following are my personal time estimates (and calming words of advice) for making tight connections in Minneapolis. It’s not all bad news, but you might want to grab a bottle of antacid before reading any further…
Table of Contents
How short is too short of a layover in Minneapolis?
Even though I just told you that I have successfully made a 40 minute layover in Minneapolis once, I will admit that I was totally stressing out over it.
If you’re flying Delta, I would say that anything under 45 minutes is too short of a layover in Minneapolis.
Yes, there’s still a good chance that you’ll make it, but the terminal that Delta operates out of at MSP (Terminal 1 – the Lindbergh Terminal) is massive. It takes quite a while to walk from one end to the other. You’re going to need to hustle if your arriving and departing flights are on the opposite ends.
If you’re flying Sun Country Airlines, Southwest, or Frontier, 40-minute connections are no problem. The terminal that those airlines operate out of (Terminal 2 -the Humphrey Terminal) is much smaller.
What is the minimum layover time for international flights at Minneapolis?
Again, there’s no easy answer here. International flights at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport operate out of both terminals.
Delta and all Delta partner airlines operate out of Terminal 1. Iceland Air operates out of Terminal 2. That being said, let me try to break down some time estimates for specific situations:
Connecting TO an international flight
Plan for at least an hour if you’re connecting to an international flight without having to change terminals. If you need to change terminals, you’re going to need two hours. At least.
Connecting FROM an international flight
If you’re connecting from an international flight to a domestic flight in Minneapolis, plan for a two hour layover if you don’t have to change terminals. If you do have to change terminals, three hours is best since you never know how long it’s going to take to get through the customs and immigration process.
The Minneapolis airport is very much like the Detroit airport in the sense that there are two main terminals, and international flights operate in and out of both. The reason why short layovers in Detroit are sometimes not possible is the exact reason why short layovers in Minneapolis aren’t always possible.
Don’t worry though. I’d venture to guess that 90% of the people making international flight connections in Minneapolis won’t have to change terminals.
- If you’re flying Delta and connecting to or from a KLM, Air France, Air Canada, or Aer Lingus flight, you won’t have to change terminals.
- If you’re flying Southwest, Sun Country, or Frontier and you’re connecting to or from an Iceland Air or Condor flight, you won’t have to change terminals.
The reason why short layovers are sometimes ok in Minneapolis
Have you been reaching for the antacid yet? I don’t mean to write scary things, but the fact of the matter is that short layovers in Minneapolis can be difficult in some situations.
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Most of the time, if you’re flying Delta, there’s a pretty good chance that your connecting flight will be just a concourse or two away from your arriving flight.
This is the most common situation that travelers will face at the Minneapolis airport. And in this specific situation, short layovers are easy since it doesn’t take long to walk from one adjacent concourse to another in Terminal 1.
You can also take advantage of the Light Rail Transit train which can whisk you from one end of the terminal to the other (0r even between terminals) in mere minutes. It’s hard to find though – I didn’t even know it existed until recently.
If you’re flying out of the Humphrey Terminal (Terminal 2), it’s even easier. It’s a smaller satellite building with a laid-back “regional airport” vibe which is very easy to navigate. I’ve walked from one end to the other in 7 minutes (at a brisk walking pace) before gathering content for a Sun Country Airlines review.
A brief overview of the terminal layout at Minneapolis / St Paul International Airport
There are two main terminals at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. The main one (Terminal 1) is the home for Delta Air Lines. It’s one of Delta’s most important hubs – and it’s massive.
The other terminal (Terminal 2) is much smaller and nothing like Terminal 1. It consists of one main building with no separate concourses.
The best way to get between these two terminals is to take the inter-terminal train. There are also shuttle busses that run back and forth. You could probably also take a taxi, but you run the risk of the driver hating your guts for life (and saying mean things about you on social media) for having to take you such a short distance.
Travel time between all terminals at MSP
As you’ve read so far, the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is complicated. If you’re not familiar with the layout, it might seem overwhelmingly massive and not easily walkable. However, once you get familiar with the airport (and how to take advantage of the inter-terminal train), it doesn’t seem so intimidating. Here are my personal time estimates:
Terminal 1 Concourse A to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 5 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 8 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 15 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 18 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 21 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 24 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 20 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 1 Concourse B to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 5 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 3 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 10 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 13 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 16 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 19 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 22 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 1 Concourse C to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 8 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 3 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 9 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 10 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 13 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 20 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 18 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 1 Concourse D to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 15 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 10 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 9 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 3 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 6 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 9 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 16 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 1 Concourse E to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 18 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 13 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 10 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 3 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 3 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 6 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 14 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 1 Concourse F to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 21 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 16 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 13 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 6 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 3 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 3 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 12 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 1 Concourse G to:
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 24 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 19 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 20 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 9 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 6 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 3 minutes
- Terminal 2 (Humphrey Terminal): 10 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
Terminal 2 to:
- One end of Terminal 2 to the other: 7 minutes
- Terminal 1 Concourse A: 20 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
- Terminal 1 Concourse B: 22 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
- Terminal 1 Concourse C: 18 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
- Terminal 1 Concourse D: 16 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
- Terminal 1 Concourse E: 14 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
- Terminal 1 Concourse F: 12 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
- Terminal 1 Concourse G: 10 minutes (via the inter-terminal train)
How long of a layover do you need in Minneapolis for a no-stress connection?
For a no stress connection, meaning that I’d have time to stop and get a bite to eat on my way to my connection gate, the time that I would want for a layover varies for each situation:
- For a Delta to Delta (domestic) layover, 2 hours would be perfect.
- For a Delta-to-Delta (or Delta partner airline) international flight, I’d want 3 hours.
- For making domestic connections in the Humphrey Terminal (for example, Sun Country to Sun Country flights) 1.5 hours would be great.
- Coming from a domestic flight and going to an international flight within the Humphrey Terminal, 2 hours is what I would want.
- If I had to switch terminals (going from the Lindbergh to the Humphrey Terminal – or vice versa), I’d want 3 hours since I would have to take a shuttle bus and then re-clear security.
Tips for making really short layovers at Minneapolis
Listing out a series of tips that will guarantee that your short layover in Minneapolis will be ok is difficult. It’s not as easy as telling you that a 1 hour layover is enough time in Chicago. Or that short layovers are always easy in Seattle.
The problem lies squarely on the terminal design. Most of the time, you’ll have no problem making a short connection at MSP. Other times, if you have the misfortune of having to trek the entire length of Terminal 1 (or even change terminals altogether), you’re going to need to hustle to make a connection.
- If possible, fly the same airline. Most problems arise when having to connect to a different airline than the one you flew in on.
- Take advantage of the inter-terminal train in Terminal 1. It’s a bit hard to find, and most people don’t even know it exists, but it can save you a lot of time if you have to get from one end of the terminal to the other as quickly as humanly possible.
- If your airline changes the schedule on you and gives you an uncomfortably short connection time, it’s within your rights to call them and ask them to change it. Most will do it no questions asked. Oh, and tell them that SANspotter said “hi”.
Noelle
This was so helpful! I have had the luck of never experiencing a layover, and my first one is at the Minneapolis airport and from the time my plane leaves until the other departs I have an hour. Thankfully they are both terminal 1 and concourses next to each other, but I was very stressed and this made it a little less concerning. Silly question but after you get off of the plane essentially… do you re-clear security or are you free to go find your next flight?
Scott (SANspotter)
Glad you found this helpful! Having a 1 hour layover as your very first one sounds stressful for sure, but don’t worry – it’ll be easy at MSP. Since you will be arriving and departing in terminal 1, you will not need to re-clear security. Just go directly to your next flight. Have a good trip!
Jennifer
Hi, thanks so much for the information. Only question I still have is how does one find the light rail in terminal one? We’re on a domestic, delta flight with a 39 minute connection and neither have been through this airport before…I’m so freaked out about making the connecting flight I can’t even describe it and I’m a well seasoned traveler!
Scott (SANspotter)
39 minutes should be OK, even without using the tram that runs up and down the length of terminal C and D. That’s the only inter-terminal tram inside of terminal 1 – but as long as you hustle, you shouldn’t have any difficulty making your connection. Good luck!
Abbie
I can’t thank you enough for this article! I have about 90min to get from my Delta gate to an Allegiant flight in terminal 2. That (thanks to your article) doesn’t stress me out as much as my return connection, which is 50min.
I read somewhere that I’ll have to go through security again, so that’s what I’m concerned about… given all of this info, does it sound like I’ll have enough time? Thanks again so much for your article!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Abbie – yes, 50 minutes is going to be extremely tight since you will have to change terminals and go through security again. It won’t be impossible, but if the lines are long it’s likely you won’t make it. Good luck!
p
how long to walk from G19 to G2
Scott (SANspotter)
It’s about 10 minutes at a normal pace (the moving walkways along the way will help to make it easier). Have a good flight!
Steve
It’s so interesting to read perspectives on what is my “local” airport. I haven’t made a connection in MSP since I lived in Duluth in the mid-1990s.
You pretty much nailed it, I’d say. Anyone switching terminals is wise to leave PLENTY of time to get through another round of security if it’s an early morning (before 9:00) flight, when most of the locals fly (often to warm-weather destinations, haha). For some reason, TSA in MSP can be extremely pokey at high-volume times. Lower-volume times, I sail right through. If you’re changing planes in the same terminal, you don’t have to worry about that of course.
If you have a few hours, check out a local restaurant. My wife and I have been known to get to MSP early just to grab a nice dinner. Red Cow, Blue Door, Republic, People’s Organic, and Ike’s are all the “real deal” — local restaurants that are pretty popular at their non-airport locations.
I’m flying to Portland tomorrow for work — at 11:05 a.m. so should be fine with TSA.
Bex
Thank you so much for this information. I’m solo travelling for the first time from UK and have a 5.5 hour at MSP layover until my connecting flight (Delta-to-Delta). Will I need to go through security when arriving at MSP and at my final destination in WI or just at my final one? Never had a connecting flight and a little nervous about what to do/where to go!
Scott (SANspotter)
Yes, you will need to go through passport control, customs, and then security before your connecting flight. 5.5 hours is plenty of time though, so you won’t have to stress about it at all. Have a great trip!
Jas
Hi! Thanks for the informative and funny article! I am flying from Wpg to MSP with Delta, and then a 30 min layover to catch my Delta flight to Miami. Same airlines and same terminal (1) but concerned about the 30 layover time. If I run super fast, I can make it? Should I ask Delta to seat me upfront from Wpg to MSP? Thank you!!!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hey Jas – yes, 30 minutes is definitely possible but it will be tight. You’ll clear US customs and immigration before leaving Canada, so all you’ll have to do once you arrive in Minneapolis is walk (OK, probably run) to your next gate. And yeah, having a seat near the front of your inbound aircraft will save you a lot of time. Good luck!
Iris
Thank you for this article. We just flew Delta thru Atlanta and had a nightmare time connecting flights. We ran through the airport to make the connection it was a sight! Question, we are flying Delta thru MSP at the end of the year with a 35 min layover, coming from Miami, traveling international to Seoul (ICN)on Delta too. The issue is my son is in a wheelchair and we need to board early. Do you think this is still doable or should we change our flights?
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Iris! A 35 minute domestic to international connection at MSP would be tight enough even without a wheelchair. I would definitely switch to a different flight if I were you. Yes, 35 minutes might be possible, but it’ll be an incredibly stressful experience for everyone involved. Good luck!
Andrea Samuels
Flying home from Fargo to RSW thru MSP 38 min connection time . Looks like my flight will arrive C gate and depart F gate Delta. Any advice not used to such a short connection time.
Scott (SANspotter)
It’s actually not all that long of a walk between C and F. 38 minutes will be easy as long as your inbound flight is on time (or close to it). Have a good trip!
Kara
So my sister and I are traveling internationally for the first time next May. We are flying from different parts of the country and catching our international flight together out of MSP. She is flying Delta from Sacramento with a 36 minute layover in MSP. Is that enough or should she try to get a different one? I’m flying through Atlanta and have learned the terrible lesson that 45 mins isn’t enough because you’ll likely be connecting in a different terminal. Is MSP any comparison to ATL? I’ll have a 2 hour layover myself, but the trip won’t be the same if she misses our flight to London!
Scott (SANspotter)
Definitely have her change her flight if she can! MSP is a lot less intimidating (and easier to get around) than ATL, but 36 minutes is cutting it way to close for a domestic to International connection IMHO. Even if a miracle happens and she ends up making the flight, the stress of it all won’t be worth it. Have a great trip!