Metro Transit, MVTA, Southwest Transit Buses

State Fair Express Bus service features free parking and a direct bus ride to the fairgrounds for a small fee from farther-out suburbs around the Twin Cities.

State Fair Express Buses provided by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit drop off and pick up at the Transit Hub located at Gate #16 on the west end of the fairgrounds. See a State Fair map. Bike parking, accessible parking and accessible buses are available at all locations. Fares, discounts and hours vary by service provider; see websites below for more details.

NOTE: Grandstand shows typically end between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. followed by fireworks. On Labor Day, the Grandstand show will end at approximately 4:30 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m.

Metro Transit State Fair Express Bus Service

Park free and ride a bus for a small fee from six locations throughout the Twin Cities noted by numbered blue dots in the map below: 1 – Maple Grove (new in 2024), 2 – Blaine, 3 – Maplewood (new in 2024), 4 – Minnetonka, 5 – Bloomington, and 6 – Cottage Grove. All lots except Maple Grove will operate the 12 days of the fair; Maple Grove will be open weekends and Labor Day. Round-trip tickets can be purchased in advance through Metro Transit’s app or website for $5; cash-only fares can be purchased at boarding locations for $6. For information on locations, schedules, bus ride pricing, how to conveniently buy bus tickets and more, check out Metro Transit.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority State Fair Express Bus Service

Serving the south metro area, MVTA provides free parking and direct bus service each day of the State Fair from three locations noted by gold dots in the map below: 7 – Eagan Transit Station, 8 – Shakopee (Southbridge Crossing Park and Ride), and 9 – Burnsville Transit Station. Tickets are $6 round-trip and can be purchased in advance on the RideMVTA App, with exact cash, or with credit cards. Children 5 and under ride free. For details on locations, schedules, bus ride pricing, how to conveniently buy bus tickets and more, check out Minnesota Valley Transit Authority.

SouthWest Transit State Fair Express Bus Service

SouthWest Transit provides free parking and direct bus service to the State Fair from four locations noted by green dots in the map below: 10 – Eden Prairie (SouthWest Station), 11 – Chanhassen (SouthWest Village), 12 – Chaska (East Creek Station), and 13 – Carver (Carver Station – new in 2024). Also new in 2024, bus service is available from all lots every day except Labor Day, Sept. 2, when no service is available. Round-trip fare is $6 for adults; discounts are available on Seniors Days and Military Appreciation Days; disabled veterans and children 5 and under ride free; additional fare discounts available. Tickets can be purchased through the Token Transit App or at Express Bus stations. For more information on locations, schedules, bus ride pricing, how to conveniently buy bus tickets and more, check out SouthWest Transit.

Express Bus Map

Metro Transit Regular Bus Service

These regular Metro Transit bus routes serve the State Fairgrounds and have stops near an entrance gate. All regular-route buses are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks:

METRO A Line: This bus travels on Snelling Avenue between Rosedale and the 46th Street Station.
Route 3: This bus travels on Como Avenue between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul.
Route 61: This bus travels on Larpenteur Avenue between St. Paul and Minneapolis.
METRO Green Line: To get to the State Fairgrounds via the METRO Green Line, board the light rail at one of the stations between downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Transfer to the METRO A Line bus at the Snelling Avenue Station at University Avenue.

Visit Metro Transit Regular Route Service for a map of bus stop locations near the fairgrounds and more information. For help planning your trip, use the Metro Transit Trip Planner, Metro Transit Nextrip, call 612-373-3333 or 711 – Minnesota Relay (deaf or hard of hearing), or text your questions to 612-444-1161.

Metro Mobility

Accessible bus service is available from Metro Mobility, learn more about transportation options in our accessibility guide. Metro Mobility drops off and picks up passengers at two locations at the fairgrounds (check out a State Fair map):

- Outside the North End Gate #2 (1807 Hoyt Ave.), northwest of Snelling and Hoyt avenues, near the Uber and Lyft drop-off and pick-up spot
- At the Loop Gate #9 (1741 Como Ave.), north side of Como Avenue east of the Coliseum

All information subject to change.