Here's what every first-timer discovers the hard way: both parking ramps physically connected to this arena top out at seven feet of clearance. That's fine for your car. It's a firm no for any commercial bus your group would actually ride in.
The arena sits at the corner of West Kellogg Boulevard and West 7th Street in the middle of downtown Saint Paul's one-way street grid, with no adjacent surface lots, two height-restricted connected ramps that fill up fast on event nights, and a post-game crowd of 17,000-plus fans hitting the same streets at the same time. After 25 years as Xcel Energy Center, the building officially became Grand Casino Arena on September 3, 2025 under a new naming rights agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The sign out front changed.
The parking situation did not.
If your group is planning a trip to what most Twin Cities locals still call the Xcel Energy Center, one question decides how the night goes: where does the bus drop off, where does it stage while your group is inside, and how does everyone get back without standing in a rideshare queue surge after the final horn? Below you'll find verified drop-off logistics, the specific lot where commercial buses stage, parking costs and options for cars in your group, approach routes from Minneapolis and MSP Airport, and everything else a real group planner needs to lock in a smooth trip to 199 West Kellogg Boulevard.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Xcel Energy Center?
Downtown Saint Paul makes the group transportation math pretty clear. The RiverCentre Parking Ramp at 150 West Kellogg Boulevard -- the closest ramp, skyway-connected directly to the arena -- typically runs $25 to $40 per car on event nights, and it fills before puck drop on a Wild sellout. The Kellogg Underground Ramp at 129 West Kellogg, the other connected option, clears out even faster.
Independent ramps and surface lots a few blocks out generally run $15 to $25, but by the time a major concert or playoff game sells out the arena, "a few blocks" matters a lot more when it's January in Minnesota and you're navigating one-way streets you've never seen before in the dark after the game.
Add up the per-car cost of parking passes (which you need to book days in advance -- walk-up spots near the arena are not guaranteed on big nights), gas from wherever your group is coming from, and the coordination problem of getting 20 or 30 people back to the same hotel in separate rideshares after a late-night event, and one Saint Paul sporting event party bus or charter bus rental starts looking less like a splurge and more like the obvious call. One flat cost, split across your whole group, a curbside drop near the gates, and a bus staged and ready when you walk out. The post-game plan is already decided before the game starts.
Charter Bus and Party Bus Drop-Off at Grand Casino Arena (Formerly Xcel Energy Center)
Grand Casino Arena occupies a compact urban block, so group drop-off is curbside on West Kellogg Boulevard or West 7th Street rather than in a dedicated bus loop. Your bus pulls up, your group unloads near the entrance closest to your seats, and the bus proceeds to its staging area while your group heads in. The official pickup and drop-off point for rideshare services -- and the most practical curbside drop for groups arriving by bus -- is Gate 4 at the northeast corner of the arena on 5th Street.
That's also where Lyft, the arena's official rideshare partner, coordinates pickups after events. For guests who need step-free access, the accessible drop-off is on the West Kellogg Boulevard side at the southeast entrance.
One detail that matters more than it seems: plan your post-game meeting point before you go in, and tell every person in your group specifically where it is. None of the arena's entrances are oversized, and 17,000 fans filing out after the game hit the same block of Kellogg Boulevard and West 7th Street simultaneously. "Meet me outside" becomes a 20-minute group-chat thread.
A pre-agreed corner and gate -- Gate 4 on 5th Street is a clear, easy-to-find landmark -- turns it into a 3-minute rendezvous.
Set your post-game pickup point before the first period: Gate 4 at the northeast corner of Grand Casino Arena on 5th Street is the official rideshare zone -- and the clearest landmark for your bus rendezvous after a packed Wild game or arena concert. Decide the meeting spot before anyone goes to their seat. Doors open 75 minutes before game time for general admission (90 minutes early for suite and club-level guests via Gate 5).
Where Charter Buses Stage Near Xcel Energy Center
Here's what most online guides skip: the RiverCentre Ramp clears at 6 feet 9 inches and the Kellogg Underground Ramp clears at 7 feet. A standard charter bus or full-size minibus runs 12'6" to 13'6" tall. Neither connected ramp can accommodate any commercial bus -- so after dropping your group curbside, the bus needs somewhere to stage for the duration of the event.
Per the arena's own guidance, the dedicated option is a bus lot at Fifth and Seventh Streets, directly across from Grand Casino Arena. Buses are exempt from the No Parking signs posted in that Event Bus Parking area, which makes it the closest and most practical staging point -- your bus can be back at the curbside drop within minutes of your group starting to file out after the game ends.
For larger events or when that lot fills on a big sell-out night, the overflow option for charter buses and oversized vehicles is Union Depot Lot D at 392 East Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, operated by ABM Parking. Lot D has no height restriction, is open at all hours, and can be reached at (651) 202-2741. Call ahead and plan to prepay -- advance arrangements are required for commercial buses.
Union Depot Lot D sits roughly six-tenths of a mile east of the arena on Kellogg Boulevard, close enough that the bus can return to the curbside drop zone promptly once the post-game crowd starts thinning. The ABM Parking Lot D page has current hours and availability details.
The height restriction that surprises most groups: Both parking ramps connected to Grand Casino Arena are impassable for commercial buses -- 6'9" and 7' clearances versus a charter bus's 12'6" or taller profile. Charter buses stage at the 5th/7th lot across from the arena, or at Union Depot Lot D on East Kellogg Boulevard. This is not a limitation unique to your event; it's the permanent reality of the downtown Saint Paul block the arena occupies.
Getting to Xcel Energy Center: Routes, Traffic, and Timing
Grand Casino Arena sits between Interstate 94 (one block north) and Interstate 35E (two blocks west), which makes the approach highways easy to identify and the final blocks downtown tricky to navigate if you haven't been before. The one-way street pattern around Kellogg Boulevard, Cedar Street, and Wabasha Street sends a lot of first-timers a full extra loop around the arena before they find the right approach.
From Minneapolis via I-94 eastbound: Exit at 5th Street (the first Saint Paul exit after the river), turn right on West 7th Street, then left on Kellogg Boulevard. The arena is immediately ahead. From I-94 westbound or from Wisconsin/Wisconsin side: Take Exit 243 (Mounds Boulevard/Kellogg Boulevard), then turn left onto Kellogg Boulevard and continue west about eight blocks.
From the north via I-35E southbound: Exit at Wacouta Street, turn right on West 7th Street, then left on Kellogg Boulevard. From MSP Airport: Take Highway 5 toward Saint Paul (about eight miles), connect to I-35E northbound, then take the Kellogg Boulevard exit and turn right -- the arena is within a few blocks.
One 2026-specific note: MnDOT is reconstructing Highway 280 between I-94 and Highway 36/I-35W, with major work ongoing through this construction season. Groups approaching from the north or northwest should check the MnDOT Hwy 280 project page for current detour advisories before your event date.
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis downtown | ~10 miles | 15–25 minutes |
| MSP International Airport | ~8 miles | 15–20 minutes |
| Bloomington / Mall of America | ~12 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Woodbury | ~12 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Eagan | ~10 miles | 15–25 minutes |
Those are off-peak estimates. On a Wild playoff game night or a sold-out arena concert, add 20 to 40 minutes in any direction once you're within a mile of downtown Saint Paul. The I-94 corridor between Minneapolis and Saint Paul is one of the busiest stretches in the metro, and the approach blocks around Kellogg Boulevard see near-standstill traffic in the 45 minutes before and after a major event.
On a bus, that gridlock is somebody else's job.
Every Way to Get to Xcel Energy Center, Compared
A private bus isn't automatically the right answer for every group -- so here's an honest look at how the five main options actually shake out for getting a group to Grand Casino Arena.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off location | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Curbside on Kellogg or W. 7th St, steps from the gates | Groups of 15+, out-of-town visitors, fan groups |
| Metro Transit Green Line | $2.00–$2.50 per person each way | Only if everyone boards the same train | Central Station — 8–10 min walk (or skyway in winter) | Individuals or pairs coming from Minneapolis |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per-car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs | Gate 4, northeast corner, 5th Street | Small groups of 1–4 per car |
| Drive and park (connected ramps) | $25–$40 per car, advance booking recommended | No — cars must find the same ramp | Skyway-connected, close walk | 1–2 cars; advance reservation recommended |
| Drive and park (off-site lots) | $15–$25 per car | No | Several blocks, exposed walk in any weather | Budget-minded groups, smaller parties |
For one or two people coming from Minneapolis, the Green Line to Central Station is a genuinely good choice -- $2.50 each way, no parking headache, and in winter, downtown Saint Paul's five miles of climate-controlled skyway provide an indoor walking connection from Central Station to the arena. That skyway system is a real advantage on Minnesota January nights when the walk from a remote ramp in the cold is a different proposition than in October. But the Green Line doesn't keep a group together, doesn't handle luggage, and requires everyone in your party to navigate an unfamiliar system in a post-game crowd that's also trying to get to the same train platform.
Once your group grows past a handful of people -- especially if any of them are from out of town -- one bus is a fundamentally simpler arrangement.
What Size Vehicle Does Your Group Need for Xcel Energy Center?
Grand Casino Arena holds 17,954 for hockey and up to 20,554 for center-stage concerts, which means fan and concert groups arrive in a wide range of sizes. The right vehicle depends on your headcount and what you're hauling. Here's how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for a trip to Grand Casino Arena:
| Vehicle | Seats | Luggage / gear | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to ~14 | Modest — bags and a few items | Small VIP groups, suite-level ticket holders | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows, individual reading lights |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Onboard, lighter | Fan groups, birthday groups, concert parties | LED lighting, premium sound system, flat-panel TVs, Bluetooth |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Overhead plus some underfloor | Mid-size groups, corporate outings, family groups | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, greater maneuverability in tight downtown streets |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays | Large groups, out-of-town visitors with bags, overnight-trip groups | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage storage |
One thing specific to this arena's location: the streets immediately surrounding Grand Casino Arena are compact, with one-way blocks and narrow intersections that make larger vehicles work harder during drop-off and pickup. A minibus has a meaningful maneuverability advantage for navigating the Kellogg Boulevard and West 7th Street approach -- ideal for mid-size groups that don't need the full 56-seat footprint. For groups over 40 people, or groups coming from a hotel or suburb with bags and gear, a full charter bus is still the right call: the deep undercarriage bays handle luggage for out-of-town trips, and the onboard restroom is a genuine convenience for groups coming from farther out.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network -- note your requirements when you request a quote.
Xcel Energy Center Party Bus and Charter Bus Rental Prices
Partybusstpaul.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Saint Paul and the Twin Cities, so the quote you see is shaped by a few clear factors rather than a single number: the vehicle size, total hours (including the pre-game pickup and the post-game wait), your specific date and its demand level, and how far the pickup point is from downtown Saint Paul. Here are the planning ranges for the vehicles that fit most Xcel Energy Center group trips:
| Vehicle | Weekday hourly | Weekend / event hourly | Per-day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | $200–$325 | $225–$350 | $1,550–$3,150 |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | $200–$250 | $200–$275 | $1,100–$2,150 |
| 25-passenger party bus | $250–$350 | $275–$375 | $1,850–$2,900 |
| 40-passenger party bus | $300–$350 | $325–$500 | $2,300–$3,500 |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | $200–$350 | $200–$350 | $1,350–$2,850 |
These are planning ranges -- real pricing moves with the date, the specific vehicle, total hours, and demand. A Wild playoff game prices differently than a regular-season Tuesday. Wild playoff games and sold-out concerts are the highest-demand windows of the year for buses to this arena, and rates reflect that.
To get actual pricing for your specific date and group size, call 218-520-3551 or use the online quote form -- free, no account required, and pricing in under 30 seconds. See the Saint Paul party bus prices page for more detail on what shapes a quote.
To put the per-head math in context: a group of 35 people heading to a Wild playoff game from a suburban hotel might book a 40-passenger charter bus for a 5-hour block. At typical rates, that might run $1,400 to $1,750 total -- roughly $40 to $50 per person. Compare that to 9 or 10 cars, each needing a $25 to $40 parking pass booked days in advance, plus gas, plus the post-game navigation through downtown Saint Paul in the dark.
The bus isn't always cheaper for tiny groups. For anything past 15 or 20 people, it almost always is.
What Brings Groups to Grand Casino Arena: Wild, Frost, Concerts, and More
Minnesota Wild (NHL). The Wild's home schedule runs from October through April, with playoff rounds extending into May and June when the team advances. Wild playoff games are the single tightest booking window of the year for buses to this arena -- demand spikes the moment Saint Paul reaches the postseason, and the right-size vehicle for a large group can book out within days of a series announcement.
For group tickets, the Wild's official site handles the ticketing side; transportation through Partybusstpaul.com is a separate, easy quote request. Check the Minnesota Wild's official getting-to-the-game page for current game-day parking and transit information before your visit.
Minnesota Frost (PWHL). The Minnesota Frost has played home games at Grand Casino Arena since the PWHL's inaugural 2024 season, drawing strong crowds from across the Twin Cities through winter and spring. Group trips to Frost games follow the same arena logistics as Wild games -- same ramp restrictions, same staging lot, same curbside drop on Kellogg or 7th.
Arena concerts and touring shows. Grand Casino Arena hosts major touring concerts year-round, with the fall and winter season filling the calendar through 2026 and into 2027. Coming up: Cody Johnson, Clint Black & Chayce Beckham (August 29, 2026), Zach Top: Cold Beer & Country Music Tour (October 10, 2026), and more.
For sold-out arena concerts, downtown Saint Paul's connected ramps go first -- sometimes within hours of general parking going on sale. A Saint Paul concert party bus rental takes the parking question off the table entirely: your group gets a curbside drop near the gates and a staged pickup when the show ends, no ramp reservation required. Check the Grand Casino Arena official site for the current event calendar.
One consistent booking rule across every event type at this arena: the moment your date is confirmed, get your quote. For Wild playoff runs and sold-out concerts, the right vehicle for a large group can disappear fast. For regular-season games and standard arena events, two to four weeks of lead time is workable -- but earlier is always better, and waiting until the week of almost always costs more.
Tips for Visiting Grand Casino Arena
- Bag policy: Grand Casino Arena allows purses and bags up to 12″ × 12″ × 6″ (clear or not) through designated X-ray entry points. Small wristlets, clutches, or wallets 4″ × 6″ × 1.5″ or smaller clear any entrance with a quick inspection. Backpacks, coolers, and large totes are not allowed. Medical and parenting bags go through X-ray. The arena does not provide bag storage, so anything larger than the allowed purse size should stay secured before your group heads in.
- Arrive early: General admission doors open 75 minutes before game time; suite and club-level guests enter via Gate 5 starting 90 minutes before game time. The arena's entrances are not oversized -- lines build in the 30 minutes before showtime at busy events. Arriving at 75 minutes out gives your group first access and avoids the bottleneck.
- Parking fills fast: The RiverCentre and Kellogg ramps are the most convenient options for cars in your group, but advance reservations are strongly recommended since both ramps fill before the event on Wild sellouts and major concerts. Book through the official Grand Casino Arena parking page or use SpotHero/ParkMobile well ahead of your date. Day-of parking near the arena is uncertain on big nights.
- Winter skyway access: Downtown Saint Paul's five miles of climate-controlled, second-floor skyway passages connect the RiverCentre Parking Ramp to the arena indoors. In January and February -- when Wild hockey peaks -- the skyway is the most comfortable way to walk in from a connected ramp. For groups arriving by bus at the curbside drop, the exposed walk is short from Kellogg or West 7th to any gate.
- Save the security text number: During events, the arena's Guest Experience & Security Team can be reached by text at (651) 800-9453 -- useful if anyone in your group gets separated or needs assistance inside the arena.
- Check the official sources before you go: Parking assignments and drop-off procedures can adjust event to event. The official Grand Casino Arena directions page and the Wild's getting-to-the-game page both carry current guidance -- including any road changes for your specific event date.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Xcel Energy Center
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Grand Casino Arena?
Commercial buses use curbside drop-off on West Kellogg Boulevard or West 7th Street adjacent to the arena's main entrances. The official rideshare pickup and drop-off location -- and the most practical bus curbside drop -- is Gate 4 at the northeast corner of the arena on 5th Street. The accessible drop-off is on the West Kellogg Boulevard side at the southeast entrance.
Where does a charter bus stage during the event?
The arena designates a bus staging lot at Fifth and Seventh Streets, directly across from Grand Casino Arena. Per the arena's own guidelines, buses are exempt from the No Parking signs posted in that Event Bus Parking area -- that's where your bus waits during the game or show, and returns to your drop-off curb as your group exits. For large events when that lot fills, Union Depot Lot D at 392 East Kellogg Boulevard is the overflow commercial vehicle lot -- reach the lot at (651) 202-2741 and arrange your spot in advance with prepayment.
Can charter buses use the RiverCentre or Kellogg ramps?
No. The RiverCentre Ramp has a 6'9" height clearance and the Kellogg Underground Ramp has a 7' clearance. A standard charter bus runs 12'6" to 13'6" tall. Neither connected ramp can accommodate any commercial bus, regardless of event.
Charter buses stage at the 5th/7th bus lot or Union Depot Lot D, not in the connected ramps.
How much does parking cost near Xcel Energy Center?
The two connected ramps (RiverCentre and Kellogg) typically run $25 to $40 per car on event nights. Independent ramps and surface lots a few blocks away generally run $15 to $25. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for both connected ramps; day-of availability at ramps close to the arena is not guaranteed on Wild sellouts or major concert nights.
Pre-booking through the arena's official parking page, SpotHero, or ParkMobile can help lock in a spot ahead of your date.
How far is MSP Airport from Grand Casino Arena?
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is approximately eight miles from Grand Casino Arena via Highway 5 toward Saint Paul and I-35E northbound to the Kellogg Boulevard exit -- about 15 to 20 minutes off-peak. For out-of-town groups flying in for a Wild game or arena concert, a charter bus from MSP to the arena is one of the cleaner single-pickup group runs in the metro: one stop at baggage claim, one vehicle, straight to the curbside drop. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul airport transportation guide has more detail on airport pickups for Twin Cities-bound groups.
How much does it cost to rent a bus to Xcel Energy Center?
It depends on the vehicle, total hours, date, and where your group is coming from. As a planning baseline: a minibus runs $200 to $275 per hour on weekend or event nights; a 25-passenger party bus runs $275 to $375 per hour; a full charter bus runs $200 to $350 per hour. Real pricing for your specific date and group size comes from the quote -- call 218-520-3551 or use the online form, free and no account required, with results in under 30 seconds.
When should I book a bus to Xcel Energy Center to get a good rate?
For regular-season Wild games and standard arena events, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For Wild playoff games and sold-out concerts, book the moment your date is confirmed. Demand spikes instantly when Saint Paul reaches the postseason or a major tour announces a sold-out date, and the right-size vehicle for a large group can book within days.
Earlier always means more options and better rates.
What is the bag policy at Grand Casino Arena?
Bags and purses up to 12" × 12" × 6" (clear or non-clear) are allowed through designated X-ray entry points. Small clutches, wristlets, or wallets 4" × 6" × 1.5" or smaller enter at any gate with a quick inspection. Backpacks, coolers, and large totes are not permitted.
Medical and parenting bags go through X-ray. The arena does not offer bag storage, so oversized items should stay secured outside.
Is there public transit to Grand Casino Arena from Minneapolis?
Yes. The Metro Transit Green Line light rail connects downtown Minneapolis and downtown Saint Paul, with the Central Station stop about an 8-to-10-minute walk from the arena. In winter, downtown Saint Paul's indoor skyway system provides a climate-controlled walking connection.
Metro Transit bus lines also serve the downtown core -- plan your route at metrotransit.org or a cab dispatcher at 612-373-3333. For an individual or a pair, the Green Line is a genuinely good option. For a group of 20 or 30, keeping everyone together on a train and navigating the post-game crowd adds a coordination layer that one bus eliminates entirely.
Where do rideshares pick up at Grand Casino Arena?
The official Uber and Lyft pickup and drop-off zone is Gate 4 at the northeast corner of the arena on 5th Street. Lyft is the arena's official rideshare partner. After a large Wild game or sold-out concert, rideshare surge pricing and wait times spike when 17,000-plus fans are requesting rides simultaneously -- the most consistent complaint from first-timers relying on rideshare for the post-game return.
Is Xcel Energy Center now called something different?
Yes. The arena officially became Grand Casino Arena on September 3, 2025, under a naming rights agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. It's the same building at 199 West Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul, MN 55102, same Minnesota Wild home ice, same downtown Saint Paul parking situation.
Both names appear in searches; this guide uses both throughout. The arena's current official site is grandcasinoarena.com.
Book Your Bus to Xcel Energy Center Today
Whether it's a Minnesota Wild playoff run with a 40-person fan group, a mid-season Frost game with the office group, or a sold-out arena concert with everyone coming from a different suburb -- one bus to Grand Casino Arena gets your whole group to 199 West Kellogg Boulevard without the parking ramp scramble, the post-game rideshare queue, or the scattered-car coordination problem that turns a fun night into a logistics project. Partybusstpaul.com connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Saint Paul and the Twin Cities, with free online quotes in under 30 seconds and no account required.
Call 218-520-3551 any time to request estimates for your trip, or fill out the quick form online to compare vehicles and pricing from companies serving the Saint Paul area. Also headed to a game across the river? The guide to renting a bus to U.S. Bank Stadium covers the Minneapolis side of the Twin Cities arena and stadium circuit.
