State Fair 2024 transportation options include new express bus routes

Preparations are underway for the Minnesota State Fair and this year's public transportation plan includes several new free and low-cost ways to get to the great Minnesota get-together.

More than 1.8 million guests attend the fair each year and nearly half use some form of public transportation to get to and from the festivities.

Bus ridership to the fair has been growing in recent years and this year's transportation options include several new options to bring fair-goers directly to the gates.

Here's a breakdown of all the ways you can get to the Minnesota State Fair in 2024.

Buses

State Fair Express Bus service is offered by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and SouthWest Transit from locations throughout the Twin Cities, where guests can park for free and ride the bus to and from the fairgrounds for a small fee.

Metro Transit

Metro Transit has added Park & Ride locations in Maplewood and Maple Grove in 2024, joining existing lots in Blaine, Bloomington, Cottage Grove and Minnetonka.

All lots except Maple Grove will operate all 12 days of the fair; Maple Grove will be open weekends and Labor Day only.

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.

In addition to State Fair Express Bus service, Metro Transit operates three regular bus routes that serve stops near the fairgrounds.

For more information and a list of State Fair Express Bus service locations, visit mnstatefair.org/get-here/metro-transit/ .

MVTA

MVTA's three State Fair Express Bus routes will operate from Burnsville Transit Station, Eagan Transit Station and Southbridge Crossing Park and Ride in Shakopee.

Each route will operate with 15-to-20-minute frequency all days of the fair, with drop-offs at the fairground's Transit Hub.

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 more information, visit mvta.com/statefair .

Southwest Transit

Southwest Transit will add a new Chaska route in 2024, joining existing park and ride locations in Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie.

The routes will also operate every day of the fair except for Labor Day, increasing operations from nine days of service in 2023 to 11 days in 2024.

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, visit swtransit.org/events/mn-state-fair/ .

Rideshare

Expanded rideshare drop-off and pick-up locations will be operational this year to meet demand for App-based ride services such as Uber and Lyft.

Taxi drop-off and pick-up will be located at the Loop Gate (#9), on Como Avenue on the south end of the fairgrounds.

Visit mnstatefair.org/get-here/taxi-and-rideshare/ for more information.

On-site parking for vehicles, bikes, motorcycles

There are approximately 5,000 parking spots, including around 800 accessible spots, available for the public in lots on the north, west and south ends of the fairgrounds.

The parking fee on-site is $20, the same as 2023.

Motorcycle parking is available for $15 in a secure lot on the south side of Como Avenue.

Three free, secure and monitored bike parking areas offer space for up to 930 bikes, according to fair officials.

The largest bike lot, located at Loop Gate (#9) on Como Avenue, was more than doubled in size in 2023 from a capacity of 250 bikes to 600. Additional bike racks have been added in 2024.

Visit mnstatefair.org/get-here/bicycle/ for more information on biking to the State Fair.