State Fair 2026

August 27 – September 7

MVTA Park & Ride Locations for the Minnesota State Fair:

• Burnsville Transit Station: 100 East Highway 13, Burnsville (Highway 13 & Nicollet)

• Eagan Transit Station: 3470 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122

• (NEW) Blackhawk Park & Ride: 4565 Blackhawk Road, Eagan, MN 55122

• Southbridge Crossings Park & Ride: 1401 Crossings Boulevard, Shakopee, MN 55379

All MVTA State Fair bus fares are $6 round-trip.

• RideMVTA App (Recommended):

  • Download the free RideMVTA App
  • Follow the instructions and activate your pass only when ready to board the bus.
  • Show your digital pass to the driver when boarding the bus

• Cash:

  • Insert $6 exact cash in the bus farebox. Drivers are unable to make change.

• Credit or Debit Card:

  • Locate an MVTA staff member on-site.
  • Pay using your credit or debit card to receive a ticket.

• Free Riders:

  • Children (0-5)
  • Disabled Veterans
    • Must show valid military ID

When you are ready to come home, head to the exact location where you were dropped off at the fairgrounds. The last bus departs the fairgrounds at 11:30 pm from August 27 to September 6 and at 8:30 pm on Labor Day (September 7).

You do not need to show a ticket on the way home.

Park & Ride Elevator Information

Eagan Transit Station: No elevator is available. Please plan to drop off mobility device(s) at the building entrance before parking and pick them up again after retrieving your vehicle.

Burnsville Transit Station: No elevator is available. Please plan to drop off mobility device(s) at the building entrance before parking and pick them up again after retrieving your vehicle.

Southbridge Crossings: Parking lot only – no parking ramp.

Blackhawk Park & Ride: Parking lot only – no parking ramp.

ADA Accessibility on Buses

MVTA buses are equipped with ramps and/or lifts, and include securement areas for mobility devices near the front of the bus.

Please Note: There is no State Fair Service from Marschall Road Transit Station in Shakopee. 

Q: I have a question about the State Fair

A: Please visit the Minnesota State Fair website to learn more!

Q: How do I purchase tickets on the RideMVTA app? 

A: MVTA riders can purchase $6 tickets by downloading the free RideMVTA App. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.  

Sign into your RideMVTA account, or create a new account by registering in the app. This will require a phone number and an email address that you have access to.  

On the home page of the app, scroll down and select State Fair Ticket under Upcoming Events. Select the number of tickets for purchase and click add to cart. Choose payment method and slide to buy. 

Do not activate tickets until shortly before boarding the bus. 

Show your active ticket to a staff member on site or to the bus driver. 

One $6 ticket is good for a round-trip ride both to and from the fair. You will not be required to show your ticket for the return bus ride.  

Please Note: Go-To Cards, College Passes and MetroPasses and other ticket types are not accepted for the State Fair Express service. 

Q: Can I buy a ticket on the app for another person or group of people?
A: Yes, only if that person is traveling with you. Passes cannot be sent electronically to another person’s phone. Be sure to activate all tickets for all people in your group before boarding the bus. 

Q: Can we take a bike? 

A: Bikes are permitted to be transported on the front of the bus on a first-come, first served basis. 

Q: Can we bring wagons? 

A: Only collapsible wagons are allowed on buses for transport. 

Q: Can I bring a stroller on the bus? 

A: Yes, but it must be collapsible. 

Q: Will you make change if I don’t have exactly $6 in cash? 

A: No. Riders will need $6 cash per person in the group. One person is $6, but you can pay $12 for two people, $18 for three people, $24 for 4 people, $30 for five people, etc. 

Q: Can I purchase a ticket in person with a debit or credit card? 

A: MVTA staff will be available at the stations to assist customers who don’t have app tickets or cash but do have a credit card. 

Q: Do Veterans ride free? 

A: Disabled veterans ride free by showing a “Service Connected” ID. Others who ride free include State Fair employees with ID and law enforcement officers with ID. 

Q: Does an MVTA ticket get you into the State Fair? 

A: No. State Fair entry tickets are available at mnstatefair.org. 

For more information about riding with MVTA to the Minnesota State Fair, email mvta@mvta.com or call MVTA Customer Service at 952-882-7500. 

Q: What is the fare refund policy?

A: The following refund policy applies to all customers: 

1. No Refunds for Cash Overpayment:
   Refunds will not be issued for any overpayment made in cash at the time of boarding or purchasing tickets. 
2. No Refunds for Unused Tickets:
   Tickets that are purchased but not used are non-refundable. This includes cases where a customer chooses not to ride or forgets to use their ticket. 
3. No Refunds for Missed Buses:
   If a customer misses their scheduled bus, no refund will be provided. It is the responsibility of the rider to arrive at the pick-up location on time. 

If your situation falls outside of the Policy guidelines listed above, contact the MVTA Customer Service Team at (952) 882-7500 or mvta@mvta.com.