If you’re looking for the Greyhound bus station Minneapolis used to call its own—that big, dedicated terminal on Hawthorne Avenue—you’re going to be wandering the streets of downtown for a long time. It’s gone. Honestly, the biggest mistake people make when booking a trip through the Twin Cities is assuming there is a traditional "station" waiting for them with rows of plastic chairs and a flickering departures screen.
Things changed.
The old station closed its doors back in 2021, and since then, the experience of catching a bus in Minneapolis has become a bit of a scavenger hunt. Currently, if you buy a ticket, you aren't headed to a grand terminal. You’re likely headed to the Hawthorne Transportation Center or a curbside stop, depending on the specific carrier Greyhound is partnering with that day. It’s messy. It’s confusing. But if you know exactly where to stand, you won’t get left behind.
Where is the Greyhound Bus Station Minneapolis actually located?
Let’s get the geography straight because GPS can be a liar here. The primary hub for Greyhound and its sister brand, FlixBus, is the Hawthorne Transportation Center at 1611 Hawthorne Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Don’t expect a palace.
It’s a functional, somewhat gritty municipal building that serves as a multi-modal hub. You’ve got local Metro Transit buses, intercity coaches, and a lot of concrete. It sits right near the Target Center and the Orpheum Theatre. It’s a weird contrast. On one side of the block, people are paying $200 for Broadway tickets; on the other, someone is trying to figure out if the 12:15 PM to Chicago is actually going to show up.
There’s no dedicated "Greyhound" building anymore. They lease space. This is a trend across the country as Greyhound’s parent company, Flix North America, moves away from owning expensive real estate. They’d rather use public transit centers or even just a sidewalk if it saves a buck. For you, the traveler, this means you need to be hyper-vigilant about the address on your digital ticket. Sometimes, extra buses or seasonal routes might drop you at the University of Minnesota or a different curbside spot near the METRO Green Line.
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The reality of waiting at the Hawthorne Transportation Center
If you’re planning to arrive four hours early to "hang out" at the station, don’t. Just don't.
The Hawthorne Transportation Center isn’t designed for comfort. There is limited seating. The bathrooms are... well, they are public bathrooms in a busy downtown transit hub. You can use your imagination. Security is present, usually roaming guards, but the vibe is "get in and get out."
The amenities are basically non-existent. You might find a vending machine that works, but if you're hungry, you're better off walking a block or two toward Hennepin Avenue. There’s a Starbucks nearby and plenty of quick-service spots, but keep in mind that once you leave the "boarding area," you might lose your spot in the unofficial line that forms on the sidewalk.
One thing most people get wrong: they think the indoor waiting area is open 24/7. It isn't always. While the buses run at all hours of the night, the actual building access can be restricted during late-night or early-morning windows. I’ve seen people huddled outside in 10-degree Minneapolis weather because they thought they could wait inside for the 3:00 AM bus to Des Moines. Always check the current building hours, but more importantly, dress for the weather. You will likely spend at least some time standing on a sidewalk.
Security, Safety, and the "Downtown Factor"
Let's be real for a second. The area around the Minneapolis bus stop has a reputation. If you look at local news or Reddit threads, people are often wary of the Hawthorne area at night.
Is it dangerous? Not necessarily, but it requires "city smarts."
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The area is high-traffic. You’ll see commuters, theater-goers, and people experiencing homelessness. Most of the time, everyone is just trying to get where they’re going. However, the lack of a private, gated terminal means the "station" is essentially part of the street. Keep your bags close. Don't flash expensive electronics. If you’re traveling alone at night, try to stay in the well-lit areas near the security desk or under the streetlamps.
The Minneapolis Police Department and Metro Transit Police do patrol the area, but they can't be everywhere. If you feel uncomfortable, the best move is to wait in a nearby well-lit business—like a hotel lobby or a 24-hour diner—until about 15 minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart.
Connecting to the rest of the Twin Cities
One thing the Greyhound bus station Minneapolis location actually gets right is connectivity. You are right in the thick of it.
- Light Rail: The Warehouse District/Hennepin Ave Station is just a few blocks away. This gives you direct access to the Blue Line (heading to the Airport and Mall of America) and the Green Line (heading to St. Paul).
- Ride Share: Uber and Lyft drivers know this area well. However, because of the one-way streets and bus lanes, they might struggle to pull right up to the door. Meet them at a clear corner to avoid the "where are you?" phone call.
- Parking: Forget it. Unless you want to pay $20+ a day in a nearby ramp like the ABC Ramps, don't try to park a car here long-term. Have someone drop you off.
Jefferson Lines: The silent partner
You can't talk about busing in Minnesota without mentioning Jefferson Lines. They often share the same boarding areas as Greyhound. In fact, if you book through the Greyhound website, your bus might actually be a Jefferson Lines coach.
This is actually good news.
Jefferson Lines is based in Minneapolis and generally maintains their fleet very well. They often have more reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets than the standard Greyhound national fleet. If your ticket says "Operated by Jefferson Lines," you’ve basically won the regional bus lottery. They also use the same Hawthorne Transportation Center hub, so the logistics remain the same.
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Why the station model is dying (And why you should care)
The shift from a dedicated Greyhound station to a shared hub in Minneapolis wasn't an accident. It’s part of a massive business pivot. When FlixBus bought Greyhound, they looked at the books and realized that maintaining old, crumbling terminals in city centers was a money pit.
By moving to the Hawthorne Transportation Center, they offloaded the maintenance to the city or transit authorities. This keeps ticket prices lower—sometimes you can get to Chicago for $40—but it kills the "traveler experience." You lose the ticket counter with a human being who can help you if things go wrong. Now, most things are handled via the app. If your bus is delayed, don't expect a loudspeaker announcement. You’ve got to watch the "Track My Bus" feature on your phone like a hawk.
How to actually survive your trip
First, download the app. Seriously. Don't rely on a printed ticket or a "hope and a prayer." The app is the only way you’ll know if your bus is stuck in traffic on I-94.
Second, pack a power bank. While the buses are supposed to have outlets, about 30% of the time they are broken or loose. Since you’ll be doing all your waiting and tracking on your phone, a dead battery is a disaster.
Third, if you’re coming from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), don't take an Uber to the bus station if you’re on a budget. Take the Blue Line light rail. It costs a few dollars, takes about 25 minutes, and drops you within walking distance of the Hawthorne center.
Practical Next Steps for Your Journey
If you are heading to the bus station today or later this week, follow this checklist to avoid the common pitfalls:
- Verify the Stop: Look at your ticket for the specific "Station Name." If it says "Hawthorne Transportation Center," you're good. If it lists a specific street corner, put those exact coordinates into Google Maps.
- Check the Weather: Since the indoor waiting area has limited hours and space, know if you'll be standing in the rain or snow. Minneapolis weather is unforgiving.
- Arrival Timing: Arrive exactly 30 minutes before departure. Arriving earlier is unnecessary and uncomfortable; arriving later is risky because these buses don't wait for "one last person."
- Food and Water: Buy your snacks before you get to the station area. The options in the immediate vicinity of the Hawthorne center are either expensive or a bit of a walk.
- Digital Readiness: Take a screenshot of your QR code ticket. Cell service can be spotty inside the concrete structures, and you don't want to be fumbling with a loading screen while the driver is trying to scan you in.
The Greyhound experience in Minneapolis isn't what it used to be. It’s no longer a travel destination; it’s a transition point. If you treat it like a bus stop rather than a terminal, you’ll have a much better time.