Thread: Camping at MSP

Drop Spongebue a line, as I recall he has recommended hotels near the Mall of America.

I resemble that quest - done it at SEA LAX SJC ATL and SLC but not here at MSP.

Planning on camping out in the terminal - try and do it on the TSA security side where there maybe a 24 hour coffee shop; fast food venue open or snack machines.
The usual gate furniture and a carpeted nook to snooze horizontal on the floor not much else to be found.
If planning on doing this DO NOT LEAVE security you can not get back in until ticketed the next day.
I have no idea if the airport police clear the terminal at night forcing everyone out !
If able to stay inside the TSA zone you will have the noise of maintenance vacuum and floor scrubbing machines and an occasional announcement on the PA.
Near moving walkways and automated trams you will have that to lull you to restless sleep !
Outside of TSA security -water restrooms and perhaps a snack machine may be found very little in creative sleeping arrangement.
Member of the military or government corps there is a USO Club on the north end of the Mezzanine deck above the ticket counters.

In front of the terminal are the taxi stands and hotel shuttles.
The high end brand name hotels will not have much to offer in rates unless you already have an affinity with them.
The low end hotels may not have a shuttle and a taxi ride of $15 or so will kill any reduced rate.
A thought call the/a hotel and if arriving after midnight inquire if they have a half day rate. They have sold all the rooms that they
expected to sell and any unfilled ones are going to stay that way UNLESS they offer a deal. Most of the airport hotels are about a
15-20 minute ride from the airport - if your next day departure is in the early AM - not terribly practical to go through these motions.
3-5 hours sleep may not be very productive with jumping through hoops out and back through security.

You did not note what your next day plans were or what time of the night you were planning to get stuck.

Since you are part of the airline group - inquire if there is pilot or flight attendant lounge - all they can say is yes or no and it is not for your use.

Thinking of the Sky Club - Closed during the late overnight hours.

A lark take the Light Rail downtown Mpls or even to StP - you can ride for 2.5 hours on one fare round trip if timed right.

Good Luck - If you try this late next year a hotel is planned in the airport - but don't wait up for it ! LOL!

RM: I love this!
"You did not note what your next day plans were or what time of the night you were planning to get stuck." Cracks me up

Originally Posted by FOMTS

Planning to get stuck - yes, very funny - I want to start Thursday at MSP so hoping to get a late flight or redeye into MSP. That's the "stuck" part. I actually have a goal desitination in mind, but if I get aced out, I will go where I can go First Class and enjoy a weekend there, instead.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll report back on "camping" facilities at MSP. ;-)

My kinda nonrever! First class, baby! Somewhat rare on Thursdays w/biz travelers except for the late flight ideas.
PS--not jinxing your ultimate destination, but, this nosy nonrev wants to know...<grin>

Originally Posted by FOMTS

Planning to get stuck - yes, very funny - I want to start Thursday at MSP so hoping to get a late flight or redeye into MSP. That's the "stuck" part. I actually have a goal desitination in mind, but if I get aced out, I will go where I can go First Class and enjoy a weekend there, instead.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll report back on "camping" facilities at MSP. ;-)

Good luck, at least there’s a McDonald’s T1, Concourse D (airside) open 24 hours.

I can tell you that they most certainly do allow "campers" airside at MSP. In fact, when I flew out of there on my 6AM flight today, I saw a pile of small pads to sleep on and a few people still snoozing at the Northstar Crossing (that shopping area between C and G concourse, where E and F begin). There is a small quiet area near the entrance to the E concourse. It will be on the left as you first leave the Northstar Crossing. Blink and you'll miss it. Other possibilities are the observation area above the D concourse and I think you can get to the mezzanine area of the Northstar Crossing as well.

As for hotels, I just go to my parents' place and make them get up early to take me to the airport. I don't have much experience with the local hotels, but I can tell you what's around. If you can, try for something near the American Boulevard or Bloomington Central light rail stations. Easy access to the airport, Mall of America, or Downtown. Or you can take the train to the mall, then walk to a hotel close to that.

And of course, The Guide to Sleeping in Airports is your friend if you go camping!

Originally Posted by browneyes142a

I have overnighted twice in SEA, too many times to count in SLC and ATL, I've slept in DFW, DTW, DCA, LGA (horrible experience), HNL three times (actually listed myself for a flight to get back in to get in the second night one trip because I couldn't find a cheap hotel), ATH, SIN, MAD, CAE (even though I work here, I've overnighted when I've been carless), and I thought I was going to have to at BIS this week but ended up not getting there early enough to spend the night got back with the rental car 45 minutes before my flight. I've probably stayed in more but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Browneyes my friend, you are a victim of laughing chance.
So why do you think this keep happening….boarding priority, bad timing, air molecules, crammed backpack rolled too tightly ( oh yeah I remember)
You’re gonna have to tap into your positive force.