EN
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Save by finding great deals and securing low price rentals
Finding a rental car at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is easier with Road Genius. Compare prices of vehicles from dozens of suppliers in Minnesota with no booking fees. Grab your ride just beyond baggage claim and hit I-35W or MN-5 to reach downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul or the Mall of America in under 20 minutes.
MSP Airport has two terminals offering rental car facilities:
| Terminal | Rental Location | Companies | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 (Main) | Silver Ramp | Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty | Most open 6am-midnight; Alamo and National operate 24/7 | Access via elevator/tram from baggage claim; all major brands present |
| Terminal 2 | Ground Transport Center | Limited selection of major brands | Usually 6am-11pm | Short walk from terminal; fewer options than Terminal 1 |
Terminal Comparison:
| Consideration | Terminal 1 | Terminal 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle selection | Extensive - all classes and specialty vehicles | More limited inventory |
| Wait times | Can exceed 30-60 minutes during peak periods | Usually shorter lines |
| Operating hours | Some 24-hour operations | More limited hours |
| Counter experience | Busier, potential for longer waits | Often more relaxed pace |
Peak Rental Times:
Time-Saving Options:
On average, car rentals at Minneapolis Saint Paul Airport cost around $65 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals starting at $32 per day.
Compare airport vs off-airport pickups. Light rail links MSP to Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis in 20 min, where rentals avoid the 11% concession fee and $5.90/day facility charge—often 10-15% cheaper.
Play with dates and times. Shifting pickup to Friday noon–Monday morning taps into weekend promos, while avoiding midday Monday or Friday rush keeps both prices and wait times lower.
Check both terminals in the search. Terminal 2 sometimes lists lower rates thanks to lighter demand; just keep its shorter operating hours in mind.
Join the free loyalty program of whichever company you pick. Fast-track pickup, occasional free upgrades and no counter upselling save both cash and hassle.
Airport Parking Options:
Local Driving Rules:
Airport Navigation:
Get a rental car to get to:
Downtown Minneapolis – stadiums, theaters
Downtown St. Paul – Capitol, museums
Lake Minnetonka – Wayzata, Excelsior
Stillwater – St. Croix River town
How early should I arrive to pick up my rental car at MSP?
We recommend you give yourself an extra 30 minutes when it's not busy. During busy times like summer weekends, holidays or business-travel mornings, you should plan for up to 60 minutes to get helped at the counter and choose your car.
Is there a way to avoid the airport fees when renting at MSP?
Yes, you can take the light rail to a location away from the airport, like Mall of America or downtown Minneapolis, and rent from there. This way you won't have to pay the airport's 11% concession fee and the $7.25 daily customer charge. Just remember that you'll need extra time to travel to the rental place.
Do rental cars at MSP come with winter tires?
Most of our rental cars at MSP have all-season tires all year, not special winter tires. If you're visiting in the winter and worried about driving in the snow, you should ask for an AWD/4WD car ahead of time. We don't have many of those and they are very popular when it snows.
Which rental companies offer 24-hour service at MSP?
At Terminal 1, major companies like Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz and National are open 24/7. Some companies have fewer people working overnight. So if you're flying in late, check your rental company's hours before you book or plan to pick up your car the next day.
Can I return my rental car outside of business hours?
Yes, most companies at MSP let you return cars after hours. You just need to park in the special return area, fill out the rental envelope and drop the keys in the secure drop box. We suggest you take photos of the car's condition and fuel level for your own records.
Popular Countries
24/7 Support