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Arriving by Air

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is the nearest airport to the University of Minnesota. There are a few options for you to get from the airpot to the campus.

Taxi

The easiest and fastest way is to take a taxi. It takes about 25 minutes during non-rush hours and 45 minutes during rush hours (6-9 am and 3-6.30 pm Monday-Friday). The fare is approximately $35 one way. Taxi service is accessible via the Tram Level. After claiming your luggage, proceed to the lower level following signs for Ground Transportation, and continue to follow the signs upstairs to the cab starter booth, where airport staff will assist passengers in obtaining a taxi.

• Airport Taxi - 612-721-0000
• Blue and White - 612-333-3333
• Green and White - 612-522-2222
• Red and White - 612-871-1600
• Yellow - 612-824-4444

SuperShuttle

Taking a SuperShuttle shared van is another option. It is as easy as taking a taxi, but you need to allow more time. Your travel will take about 30-50 minutes depending on how many passengers share the van and their destinations. The fare is $16 one way (as of 18 June 2009). SuperShuttle operates 24 hours a day every day of the week. SupperShuttle is also accessible via the Tram Level. After claiming your luggage, proceed to the lower level following signs for Ground Transportation, and continue to follow the signs upstairs to the Scheduled Van/Hotel Shuttle Van loading area. SuperShuttle is conveniently located inside the terminal by the loading area. Reservations are not necessary for arrival to the airport. However, reservations are required for your return trip from your accommodation to the airport. Reservations can be made either online or by telephone:

• Online:
  Go to http://www.supershuttle.com. Reservations will need to be guaranteed by a credit card. Please have your flight information available.
• By telephone:
  Call 612-827-7777 (ext. 1) or 1-800-BLUEVAN

Light Rail and Bus

Budget travellers carrying small luggage can try this option. It only costs $1.75 during non-rush hours and $2.25 during rush hours (6-9 am and 3-6.30 pm Monday-Firday). The total travel time is 40-60 minutes.

After claiming your luggage, proceed to the lower level following signs for Ground Transportation, and you will see signs for the Light Rail Station (don't go upstairs). Take the tram, which will take you to the light rail station.

Buy a ticket. Keep your ticket as you will use it when you transfer to the bus later. The platform in the direction of the University of Minnesota and Downtown Minneapolis is the one you will see on your left from the escalator (the trains arriving to the other platform will take you to Mall of America). See this page for how to use the light rail. Trains leave every 7.5 minutes during rush hours, every 10-15 minutes at other times. Alight at Downtown East - Metrodome station (you will not miss it because you can see the dome on your left). Travel time to Metrodome Station is approximately 15 minutes.

Once you get off the train, walk about 30m to the right. The bus stop is located right next to the light rail station (don't cross the street). The bus that serves the University of Minnesota is 16 or 50, which comes every 10-15 minutes. When you board the bus, insert your ticket into the card reader near the driver. Alight at Washington Avenue (2 stops after crossing the Mississippi River, about 7 minute ride) for the Nolte Center of Continuing Education (the conference venue) and the Radisson University Hotel and at 25th Avenue for the Days Hotel (5 stops after crossing the Mississippi River, about 10 minute ride). Both hotels can be seen on your left. You may visit the Metro Transit website to create a personal transportation route. Enter MSP INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT in FROM and the name of your hotel in TO.

Renting a car

The rental car counters are located in the Hub building located between the Blue and Red parking ramps, on Levels 1, 2 & 3. For details, see this page.

By Car

Going east on I-394:

Follow I-94 east to I-35W north. Follow I-35W north to the U of M east bank exit, 17C. Continue over the Washington Avenue Bridge. or Follow I-94 east to the Huron Boulevard exit. Turn left onto Washington or follow Huron Boulevard as it changes to 4th Street and take a left onto 15th Avenue.

Follow I-94 east to I-35W north. Follow I-35W north to the U of M east bank exit, 17C. Continue over the Washington Avenue Bridge. or Follow I-94 east to the Huron Boulevard exit. Turn left onto Washington or follow Huron Boulevard as it changes to 4th Street and take a left onto 15th Avenue.

Follow I-35W north to the U of M east bank exit, 17C. Continue over the Washington Avenue Bridge.

Follow I-35W south to the University Avenue/4th Street exit, 18. Turn left at the second set of lights, University Avenue SE. You'll be heading east toward the heart of the east bank.

Take I-35W south to the University Avenue/4th Street exit, 18.  Turn left at the second set of lights, University Avenue SE. You'll be heading east toward the heart of the east bank.

Take the Huron Boulevard exit and take a left onto Washington Avenue. or Stay on Huron Boulevard until it changes into 4th Street. Follow 4th Street to 15th Avenue. Take a left onto 15th.

Parking

For the most current information on parking please call University Parking Services at 612-626-7275. The web page is http://www1.umn.edu/pts/parking.htm.