Lodges, Cabins & Outfitters Transportation – Ely & BWCA
Whether you’re heading to a lodge on the lake, a quiet rental cabin, or a BWCA outfitter, getting from MSP Airport to Ely and the Boundary Waters region is one of the longest legs of the trip. Citywide offers private, flat-rate transportation so your group—and all of your gear—can travel together in one vehicle instead of juggling multiple cars or rental contracts.
Our lodges, cabins & outfitters transportation is built for canoe crews, cabin weeks, fishing groups, and northwoods vacations. We provide door-to-door rides between MSP, Ely, and BWCA-area lodging, using a zone system that covers both in-town stays and deeper Boundary Waters access roads.
Pricing for Ely Lodges & Nearby Cabins (Zone 29)
PLAN
Number
minutes
Price
Price for 1 minute
Your text
Basic Car Service
To From MSP Pricing
$595
Daytime Rides (8am to 8pm)
for 1 - 3 people
Gratuity not included
----$10 For Each Addtional Rider over 3----
*(8pm to 8am)
After Hours
Driver Gratuity Not Included
$715
Zone 29
Black Car Service
To From MSP Pricing
$715
Daytime Rides (8am to 8pm)
for 1 - 3 people
Gratuity not included
----$10 For Each Addtional Rider over 3----
*(8pm to 8am)
After Hours
Driver Gratuity Not Included
$855
ID 41
15 Passenger Private Van
To From MSP Pricing
$745
Daytime Rides (8am to 8pm)
for 1 - 8 people
Gratuity not included
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*(8pm to 8am)
After Hours
Driver Gratuity Not Included
$915
9.00
Pricing for BWCA Cabins & Outfitters (Zone 33)
PLAN
Number
minutes
Price
Price for 1 minute
Your text
Basic Car Service
To From MSP Pricing
Daytime Rides (8am to 8pm)
$660 for 1 - 3 people
Gratuity Not Included
----$10 For Each Addtional Rider over 3----
*(8pm to 8am)
Gratuity Not Included.
$790
Zone 33
Black Car Service
To From MSP Pricing
Daytime Rides (8am to 8pm)
$790 for 1 - 3 people
Gratuity Not Included
----$10 For Each Addtional Rider over 3----
*(8pm to 8am)
Gratuity Not Included.
$950
ID 45
15 Passenger Private Van
To From MSP Pricing
Daytime Rides (8am - 8pm)
$820 for 1 - 9 people
Gratuity Not Included
-----------------------------------------------------------------
*(8pm to 8am)
Gratuity Not Included.
$995
10.00
Citywide’s Ely & BWCA lodges, cabins & outfitters transportation is designed around the way real guests travel. Many groups land at MSP Airport, gather everyone and their gear, and then head straight to a lodge, lake cabin, or outfitter base for their Boundary Waters vacation. Instead of splitting into multiple vehicles or driving tired, you can book a private ride that keeps everyone together.
Pricing follows our zone system: Zone 29 covers Ely city and nearby lodging, while Zone 33 covers BWCA cabins, lake properties, and outfitters on deeper access roads. Check the price tables above or request a quote with your exact pickup and drop-off locations.
Trips can be booked MSP → Ely/BWCA, Ely/BWCA → MSP, or as two coordinated one-way rides. We’ll help you build a schedule that matches your check-in, check-out, and permit times as closely as possible.
- Private, flat-rate rides between MSP, Ely, and BWCA lodges, cabins, and outfitters.
- Vehicle options sized for canoe crews, cabin groups, and fishing parties with coolers and gear.
- Scheduling built around arrival times, lodge check-ins, and BWCA outfitter schedules.
For MSP → Ely & BWCA trip details, see our MSP to Ely Private Car Service.
Looking for canoe-trip-specific info? Visit our MSP to BWCA – Canoe Trip Transportation spoke.
Ely / BWCA not your area? To see pricing to or from your specific city or town, click here
Private Transportation for Ely & BWCA Lodges, Cabins & Outfitters
Citywide provides private, flat-rate transportation between MSP Airport and Ely/BWCA lodges, cabins, and outfitters. From classic northwoods resorts to remote lake cabins, we help guests start and end their trips without the stress of long drives after flights or complicated car swaps.
MSP ⇆ Ely & BWCA Transportation for Lodges, Cabins & Outfitters
Many groups fly into MSP, gather luggage and coolers, and then want to head straight to the cabin, lodge, or outfitter base. Our service is set up to make that as simple as possible: one vehicle, one driver, and a route planned around your schedule. You can relax while we handle the long stretch of highway between Minneapolis and the Ely/BWCA region.
If you’re meeting an outfitter, we can bring you directly to their base or staging area. If you’re going right to a cabin or resort, we’ll follow your directions or map pin and get you as close to the door as road conditions allow.
Choosing the Right Vehicle for Lodge, Cabin & Outfitter Trips
Our Basic Car Service works well for small groups traveling light—often one to three people headed to a cabin or lodge with standard luggage and a couple of coolers.
Black Car Service is a good fit when you want a quieter, more premium ride, especially after a long flight into MSP or at the end of a week in the Boundary Waters. It’s a popular option for couples, trip leaders, and guests celebrating special occasions up north.
For canoe crews, extended families, or fishing groups, our Large Van is often the best choice. Vans offer more room for people and gear — packs, paddles, rods, food tubs, and personal bags — so you don’t have to stack everything into two small vehicles.
Whatever vehicle you choose, your trip is private to your group. You set the pickup time (within reason for weather and conditions), and we tailor the route to your lodge, cabin, or outfitter stops.
Planning Travel Days for Lodges, Cabins & Outfitters
On travel days, you’ll be balancing flight times, lodge or cabin check-in windows, and outfitter schedules. The drive between MSP and Ely typically runs about 3.5–4 hours, with BWCA cabins and bases sometimes adding extra time depending on road conditions and distance from town.
We recommend building in a little margin for weather, traffic, and supply stops. Many guests like to pick up groceries or last-minute gear along the way, especially when heading to remote cabins. Let us know your rough plan and we’ll help you choose a departure time that keeps the day feeling manageable.
If you’re unsure how much time to allow between MSP arrivals/departures and your Ely/BWCA lodging, local outfitters and lodging hosts are also great resources—they know how long their guests typically take to make the drive in different seasons.
Lodges, Cabins & Outfitters – Ely & BWCA Transportation FAQ
Can you handle large coolers and fishing or canoe gear?
Yes. Our vehicles and vans are used to carrying coolers, fishing rods, paddles, portage packs, and food tubs. When you request a quote, tell us how many people are traveling and what kind of gear you have so we can recommend the right vehicle for your lodge, cabin, or outfitter trip.
Can you drop us at one lodge and pick us up at a different cabin or outfitter?
In many cases, yes. Some groups start at one lodge or outfitter and end their trip somewhere else. Share your full plan (arrival and departure locations), and we’ll explain which legs we can cover and how pricing works for each segment.
What if our MSP flight is delayed on the way to Ely?
Your driver tracks your flight in real time and adjusts your pickup as needed within reason. If you see significant delays or changes, contact us as soon as possible so we can work with you and, if needed, your lodge or outfitter to update arrival expectations.
Can you coordinate with our lodge, cabin host, or outfitter?
We normally coordinate trip details with you or your group leader, but we’re happy to communicate with lodging providers and outfitters about arrival windows, gate access, or directions when helpful. Just share their contact information when you book.
Do you offer shared shuttles between MSP and Ely/BWCA lodges?
No. Citywide offers private, pre-booked transportation. We do not run public shuttles or shared bus service. That means your schedule and stops can be tailored to your specific lodge, cabin, or outfitter destination.
- Ely & BWCA ⇄ MSP Airport Transportation (Hub)
- Northern Tier BWCA ⇄ MSP Transportation
- Ely to MSP Airport Transportation
- Early Morning & Late-Night Ely → MSP Airport Rides
- Group & Gear Transportation – Ely/BWCA to MSP
- Boy Scout Troop Transportation – Ely/BWCA ⇄ MSP
- MSP to Ely Private Car Service (Primary Inbound)
- MSP to Ely Private Car Service
- MSP to BWCA – Canoe Trip Transportation
- MSP to Lake Vermilion Resorts Transportation
- MSP to Ely Lodges & Outfitters Transportation
- MSP to Boundary Waters Entry Point Transportation
- Things to Do in the BWCA in the Winter Months
- Ely → MSP Medical Transportation
- Pet-Friendly Ely/BWCA Transportation
- Things to Do in Ely
- Superior National Forest & Gunflint Trail Transportation
- Ely/BWCA ⇄ MSP Airport Transportation – Frequently Asked Questions
