Minneapolis Light Rail
The Minneapolis light rail line is a great benefit for Minneapolis tourism. The days when steetcars provided easy transportation around the Twin Cities are long gone. Now the Hiawatha Line makes it easier to get around the city on your Minnesota vacation.
When I was a child in south Minneapolis, we would hop on the streetcar to visit my grandma who lived near Powderhorn park. We would take it downtown to shop or to go most anywhere we needed to be. These were the years just before the extensive streetcar system in the Twin Cities was abandoned.
You can revist those days at The Minnesota Streetcar Museum. Take a journey back in time with a ride on the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line.
The Hiawatha Line, operated by Metro Transit, now offers fast, quiet light-rail service to 19 stations between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America. Some primary points of connection on the line include the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the Mall of America, the Metrodome and Target Field in downtown Minneapolis.
Bus routes along the Minneapolis light rail line are coordinated to connect with trains at Hiawatha Line stations. You will find that the light-rail line makes it easy to get to work, to shopping, to sporting events and to many other places you want to go. As well, you will be freed from trying to find parking in the busy downtown area.
Take the light rail to Minnesota Twins Ballpark Target Field. To get travel options by phone, call 612-373-3333 to speak with a transit expert.
There are nineteen transit stations along the light rail route.
Each of the stations has its own unique architectural style that reflects the ambiance of the surrounding community.
Travel time is roughly two minutes between most stations.
Tickets are sold at ticket machines at the rail stations.
Minneapolis has a multi-ethnic population therefore light rail ticket-dispensing machines present instructions in four languages: English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong.
Light Rail Fares
- Light rail fares for adults are $2.25 during rush hours (Monday through Friday, 6 to 9 am and 3 to 6:30 pm) and $1.75 at other times.
- Reduced fares are available for seniors, children and persons with disabilities. Children 5 and under ride free (limit 3) when accompanied by a paid fare.
- For more information, visit the Metro Transit website, www.metrotransit.org/light-rail.
There are no fare boxes on Minneapolis light rail trains. You pay for your ride before boarding the train. Fare inspectors will randomly ask for proof of fare payment on trains and stations. Be sure to have proof of payment ready as there is a $180 fine for riding the light rail train without paying.
Light Rail Airport Station Locations
Terminal 1-Lindbergh: light rail station is located below the Transit Center, between the Blue and Red Parking ramps. From the Tram Level (one level below bag claim), take the tram to the Transit Center. When you exit the tram, follow the signs to the light rail station, located 70 feet underground.
Terminal 2-Humphrey: light rail station is located on the north side of the Orange parking ramp. From Level 1 near Ticketing take the elevator or escalator up to the Orange Ramp skyway. Follow the signs to the LRT station. Take the escalators or elevators down one level to the station platform.
All Minneapolis light rail stations are fully accessible.
Light Rail Frequency
Trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours and typically every 10 to 15 minutes at other times of the day. From the airport, trains can take you to the Mall of America in about 12 minutes and to the Warehouse District in downtown Minneapolis in about 25 minutes.
While trains run 24 hours a day between terminals, times between trains can be anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes between the hours of 10:30 pm and 5 am. Be sure to check the light rail schedule at Metrotransit.org if you plan to use this service during these hours.
No ticket is needed to travel between airport terminal stations.
Use the LRT to travel between airport terminals. Complimentary shuttle service between the terminal buildings is available as an alternative to light rail for passengers with mobility challenges and those with special needs (e.g. physical limitations, elderly, parent with young children and baggage).
The airport used to operate a bus shuttle between the two terminals, but the Minneapolis light rail line has supplanted that service. No fare is required to ride between the two airport stations.
Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains stop at both Terminal 1-Lindbergh and Terminal 2-Humphrey and connect travelers to 17 other destinations, including downtown Minneapolis to the north and the Mall of America to the south.
In the near future, the Minneapolis light rail line will connect downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul along University and Washington avenues through the State Capitol complex, Midway area, and University of Minnesota.
Related Pages:
Saint Paul Minnesota Vacations
Minneapolis Shopping
Minneapolis Nightlife
Hotels in Minneapolis Minnesota
Twin Cities Restaurants
Minneapolis Minnesota
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