Getting Around Minneapolis - St. Paul

Driving is probably the best way to see all the major sights in Minneapolis and St. Paul: Both cities are laid out in easy-to-navigate patterns. Traffic can be a problem, although the cities suffer from traffic slowdowns rather than traffic jams. The only trouble spot might be the juncture of I-35W and I-94, just south of downtown Minneapolis and I-494, where you might encounter delays any time of day. Even in the dead of winter, walking through downtown in both cities is comfortable, thanks to a compact and ingenious system of 60 skyways: enclosed, climate-controlled elevated walkways. They connect more than 45 blocks (4.7 miles) in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Air
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is clean, efficient and easy-to-navigate. The airport recently underwent major renovations and now offers more shopping and dining options. Located just 10 mi/16 km southeast of downtown Minneapolis, bordering the cities of Bloomington, Richfield and Minneapolis. Under normal driving conditions, the airport is a 20- to 30-minute drive from both downtown areas and five minutes from the Mall of America.

Connecting Transportation
Super Shuttle Minnesota runs from the airport to the downtown areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul. There are departures every half-hour 6 am-11 pm. Door-to-door residential service is also available.
Public buses run from the airport to both downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. Catch Bus 7 for Minneapolis, Bus 54 for St. Paul.
Taxi stands are located on the lower level. Major rental car companies have branches at the airport.
Greyhound Bus Terminal
St. Paul's Greyhound terminal. 166 West University Ave., St. Paul.

Minneapolis Bus Terminal
This new terminal in downtown Minneapolis serves both Jefferson Lines, which provides service to Rochester, and Greyhound. 950 Hawthorne Ave., Minneapolis.

Car
Two interstate highways, I-94 and I-35, serve the Twin Cities: I-35W runs north-south through Minneapolis, I-35E runs north-south through St. Paul. I-94 is the major east-west artery that connects the two downtowns. A beltway that circles Minneapolis and St. Paul is known as I-494 in the south and I-694 in the north. I-394 runs from Minneapolis to the western suburbs.
Garage parking is abundant in both downtown areas.

Public Transportation
Metropolitan Council Transit Commission
560 Sixth Ave. N., Minneapolis. Phone 612-349-7000.
The MCTC runs the local bus system in both cities. Especially useful are the express buses (Routes 94B, 94C and 94D) that connect the two downtown areas in a quick 20-minute trip. Buses operate 24 hours, but not all routes run all night. Be sure to consult a schedule.
Taxi
It's best to order a taxi by phone or to find one at a hotel. Taxis can be hailed, but drivers are not accustomed to it.
Airport Taxi
Phone 952-928-0000.
Yellow Cab
Phone 612-824-4444.
Train
Amtrak
The depot is in the St. Paul Midway area. 730 Transfer Road (about 15 minutes from downtown Minneapolis and 10 minutes from downtown St. Paul), St. Paul.