Popular Countries
24/7 SupportCar Rental Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Free comparison tool · 1000s of rental cars · Major brands · No booking fees
Compare 1,000s of Car Rentals
No Booking Fees
No booking fees. Free cancellation on most cars
Find Low Prices
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.
Car Rental Locations & Options
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
- Midday (11am-2pm) when multiple flights arrive
- Early evening (4pm-7pm)
- Monday mornings (business travel)
- Friday afternoons (weekend rentals)
- During major events or holidays
Time-Saving Options
- Join loyalty programs (Hertz Gold, National Emerald Club) to skip counters
- Complete online check-in before arrival
- Consider off-peak arrival times (mid-morning or late evening)
- Use rental company apps for expedited service
Car Rental Prices
How to save?
- 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.
- Skip upsells you already own. Use your phone for navigation and pack your own child seat to avoid $10-15/day add-ons.
Car rental prices at Minneapolis–Saint Paul Airport 2025/2026
Parking and Driving
Airport Parking Options
- Terminal 1 ramps: Short-term and daily options available
- Terminal 2 ramp: Short-term and daily options available
- Value lots and off-site areas: Lower-cost options offering shuttle service to both terminals
Local Driving Rules
- Right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop unless otherwise posted
- HOV/Express lanes on I-35W, I-394 and I-35E require two or more occupants or an E-ZPass during restricted hours
- Move over one lane when passing emergency vehicles
- Cell phone use while driving must be hands-free
Airport Navigation
- Roadways around both terminals are well signed
- Digital highway signs provide real-time traffic updates
- Multiple entrances and exits connect the airport to nearby highways
- Separate arrival (lower) and departure (upper) levels streamline traffic flow
Why rent a car in Minneapolis–St. Paul
Get a rental car to get to:
- Mall of America – Bloomington
- Downtown Minneapolis – stadiums, theaters
- Downtown St. Paul – Capitol, museums
- Lake Minnetonka – Wayzata, Excelsior
- Stillwater – St. Croix River town
- North Shore – Duluth, Split Rock Lighthouse
Local Rental Locations
FAQs
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.
