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State Fair Express bus tickets: Metro Transit offers discount online

Metro Transit is providing State Fair fans a way to save some money this year getting to the Great Minnesota Get Together.

Riding a State Fair Express bus – already a convenient and economical alternative to driving to the fairgrounds – becomes an even better deal for those who plan ahead.

Patrons board a Metro Transit bus after a full day at the Minnesota State Fair.

Metro Transit is offering customers a discount on bus tickets purchased online through Aug. 26. State Fair Bus Bargain Tickets save customers $1 off the regular $5 roundtrip fare on express buses that travel from suburban park-and-ride lots directly to the fairgrounds. Children age four and under ride free.

“We know that people are looking for ways to cut back on spending due to the economy,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. “Taking the bus to the State Fair can help save money on gas and parking, and you can avoid the hassles of traffic around the fairgrounds.”

Transit options to the State Fair

In addition to express buses, regular-route service and free shuttles are two other transit options to the State Fair, which runs Aug. 27-Sept. 7.

Express service operates every 15 minutes daily during the fair from Northtown, Brookdale, I-394 & County Road 73 park-and-ride ramp in Minnetonka, Dunwoody College of Technology, Southdale and Bloomington (east of Mall of America). Half-hour service is available every day of the fair from Oakdale Center park-and-ride lot, Signal Hills and Cottage Grove park-and-ride lot. Service is available every half hour on weekends and Labor Day from Maple Grove Transit Station and Foley park-and-ride facility in Coon Rapids – a new location this year.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit also operate State Fair Express buses.

Fairgoers can hop on regular bus routes that serve the fairgrounds. Those who live or work in downtown Minneapolis can take Route 960 for service from Nicollet Mall to the fairgrounds. Route 3, which travels on Como Avenue, and Route 84, which travels on Snelling Avenue, also provide convenient options.

Finally, State Fair fans can park free and ride free on shuttle buses that serve 33 parking lots near the fairgrounds.