Over its 12 day run, the Minnesota State Fair draws in around 2 million people for food served on-a-stick, animals giving birth, more than 900 concerts, and rides. However, getting there is half the battle.
In 2025, it costs $25 to park a car on the Fairgrounds. That’s $5 more than it was in 2024. That’s also $5 more than one adult admission ticket at the gate. Also new in 2025, the city of Falcon Heights is now charging $25 to park on the street at 1,000 spots around the Fairgrounds. That means if you want to park in a yard of a homeowner (which you can do), you might pay $30 — or more.
You’ll also battle traffic if you park at or near the Fairgrounds. On the first day of the 2025 Fair, I chatted with a fairgoer who sat in traffic on Snelling Avenue for two hours (no joke) just to get into a parking lot.
There are better ways to get to the Great Minnesota Get Together. I was on KSTP-TV’s Twin Cities Live with my suggestions.
6 ways to save money or time getting to the Minnesota State Fair
1. The best way to get to the Fair is by taking a free park and ride.
There are 33 park and ride stations near the Fairgrounds. They leave for the Fair starting at 8 am and run continuously throughout the day until the last bus leaves at 11:30 pm (9:30 pm on Labor Day). Some park and ride stations are daily, some are weekdays only, and some are weekends only. You’ll want to check this list and find a couple that work well for you. I highly recommend having a backup option as these park and ride lots fill up and close until space opens up.
My two favorite park and ride lots:
The University of Minnesota Minneapolis Campus (#12). They have plenty of surface lots near Huntington Bank Stadium (and street parking) and those buses will take the U of M transitway to get to the Fairgrounds, a road not open to cars. It’s a short ride and the U of M is easily accessible from 35W and 94. Click here for a map of lots available and where buses pick up. Note that the U of M lots are not open on Thursday, August 28 due to the Gophers football game.
Oscar Johnson Arena (#18). This park and ride is reserved only for those with disability license plates and their guests. All buses are accessible.
Most buses (from my experience in the past, and from Reddit comments) is that most are the larger ‘accordion’ buses, and can accommodate strollers.
2. If you have a motorcycle, take it.
My only exception for driving to the Fairgrounds is if you take a motorcycle. The Fair has a special motorcycle lot that is on the south side of Como Avenue, and motorcycle parking is a more reasonable $15. However, you cannot park your motorcycle in any other lot, as you’ll be charged the regular $25. Learn more.
3. Try an Express bus.
Metro Transit, along with Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit, offer rides from the suburbs directly to the Fairgrounds for $5-6 roundtrip. You are able to pay for your trip when you get to the lot or buy on your phone in advance. On social media, I’ve seen long lines for these buses, and they cram these buses full, so just know that you’ll be on a bus with a bunch of people for a long ride home from the Fair. It’s not my favorite option, but if you don’t want to bother driving into the city, this is your way to go.
4. Take Metro Transit’s A Line.
Metro Transit’s rapid transit bus service continues to expand, with their Red Line (also called the A Line) running up and down Snelling Avenue. Service starts at Rosedale Center in Roseville and goes to the 46th Street Blue Line Light Rail Station in Minneapolis. There are a couple other regular Metro Transit routes that go right to the Fairgrounds. Learn more here.
5. Park on the street… in St. Paul.
Parking on the street in Falcon Heights might set you back $25, but parking on the street in St. Paul will not. If you want to save money, have some patience, and don’t mind walking, try searching for a spot in St. Paul, east of Snelling Avenue. If you know your St. Paul backroads well, this option could really pay off. This option was suggested by a few on Reddit, but know that you’re going to battle a lot of traffic around the Fairgrounds. Don’t try to park around Como Park Zoo.
6. Take a hotel shuttle. Seriously.
In my 20 years working at the State Fair, I have seen many of hotel shuttles drop people off at the Fairgrounds. This solution won’t save you money, but it could save you time, and it would make for a fun weekend. Book a hotel in Roseville and get their shuttle to do the driving for you. Shuttles drop off next to the Miracle of Birth Center, so you don’t have to walk far once you hop off.
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Or if you live somewhere near them, the #3(south gates) or #61(north gates) buses also have stops right by the Fairgrounds, if your access to the A line is not as close. Same bus fares apply.
Take the A-Line. $4 round trip/$2 for youth & seniors.