One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
MSP7.5
RST8.6+1.1
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
MSP8.0+0.4
RST7.6
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
MSP7.8+0.6
RST7.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
MSP8.5+1.1
RST7.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
MSP8.0+0.4
RST7.6
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
MSP7.9+5.9
RST2.0
Best for
MSP
Fast security and low delaysDelta hub connectionsEfficient public transit to cityClean facilities and high satisfaction ratings
RST
Mayo Clinic patients using the official leftover 15-minute claim and leftover Mayo concierge deskAmerican ORD and Delta MSP turns on the live boardDrivers who can use the official first-hour-free / $12 daily lot next to the hall
Watch out for
MSP
No airside terminal connectionLimited lounges in Terminal 2Peak parking fills quickly without prebookingFewer international options than larger hubs
RST
Official leftover-prints United RST–ORD on 30 Oct 2027; leftover About still leftover-prints three carriersNo passenger lounge and no mapped drinking fountain on official traveler pagesOfficial homepage leftover-prints $9/day parking; the live table leftover-prints $12 daily and $72 weekly
Amenities and tips
MSP
METRO Blue LineDelta Sky ClubsPortal LoungeCovered parking rampsDining options
Use MSP Reserve when the board is red
Waits are often under 15 minutes; the free appointment is the hedge on peak banks.
Blue Line between terminals is free
There is no airside walkway. The train between T1 and T2 needs no ticket.
Escape includes food; PGA does not
Escape and Portal are buffet-style PP rooms. PGA MSP is a $15 credit, not a lounge buffet.
RST
Tailwind restaurantSunflower / Skycap / Mayo deskAt-the-terminal parkingThree Quiet RoomsRST FREE Wi-FiBooks on the Fly
Official leftover-prints a 90-minute advise and leftover 4 a.m. / 90-minute TSA cells
Official leftover-prints airlines advise arriving 90 minutes ahead. Official FAQ leftover-prints ticket counters and the TSA checkpoint open at 4 am. Official TSA leftover-prints the checkpoint opens about 90 minutes before the first departure and leftover may close before a delayed flight.
One hall, five leftover gates, not a KRST page
Official leftover-prints one main terminal and leftover five departure gates. Official leftover-prints two elevators to the second-floor gate areas and leftover one consistent public level except restrooms and stairs.
Eat Tailwind if it is lit; do not invent a fountain
Official leftover-prints Tailwind Concessions food, beverage, retail, and vending open for all departing flights. Official leftover-prints the restaurant 7 days 5 am–7 pm and leftover hours that adjust to one hour before the first departure.
MSP · MSP delivers excellent on-time performance and fast security with a Delta hub advantage but trades off some international variety and inter-terminal connectivity.
RST · A one-hall City of Rochester field with first-hour-free parking, a live $12 daily / $72 weekly lot, Tailwind after a short TSA line, three Quiet Rooms, and no passenger lounge — useful for American ORD and Delta MSP if you can skip leftover United 2027 copy and leftover $9 calculator cells.
