Minneapolis-St Paul City Guide - Getting Around

Metro Transit (MTC) (tel: (612) 373 3333; website: www.metrotransit.org), together with Suburban Bus Lines, operates over 100 bus routes and one light rail line throughout the Twin Cities area. Some routes operate 24 hours – the MTC office provides further information.

Single fares are available for purchase on the bus, in cash only, as drivers cannot make change. There is a set fare within the downtown districts.

Stored Value Cards are valid at any time of the day. A 31-Day SuperSaver pass is also available, offering unlimited use of the Metro Transit buses for 31 days from first use. Passes are available online or from Transit Outlet stores, located at 719 Marquette in Downtown Minneapolis, the Downtown St Paul Skyway, the Mall of America as well as through some supermarket chains.

The Hiawatha light rail line, the state’s first light rail line, is also operated by MTC (see above) and connects Downtown Minneapolis with the Mall of America via the airport. There are 17 stations on the line. Services operate between 0400 and 0110.

Skyways
Both Minneapolis and St Paul are famous for their skyways, a unique system of enclosed second-storey walkways, which connect banks, department stores, office buildings and hotels in the city centres, enabling people to shop and do business without ever going outside to endure the inclement weather. Some 60 blocks in Downtown Minneapolis are interconnected in this manner. Measuring 8km (5 miles), the skyways comprise the longest skyway system in the world. General skyway hours are Monday-Friday 0630-2200, Saturday 0930-2000 and Sunday 1200-1800, although hours vary somewhat from building to building.

There are designated taxi ranks at the airport, the Mall of America and in Downtown Minneapolis and St Paul. Taxis must be telephoned in advance for all other locations. There are surcharges for extra passengers or airport runs. Taxi companies include Airport Taxi (tel: (612) 721 0000), Rainbow Taxi (tel: (612) 332 1615), Blue & White Taxi (tel: (612) 333 3333) and Yellow (tel: (612) 824 4444). It is customary for passengers to tip up to 15% of the total fare.

Minneapolis and St Paul are laid out on grid systems that extend from either side of the Mississippi River. The main streets in Minneapolis run north-south and include Hennepin, Lyndale and Nicollet Avenues. Major east-west thoroughfares include Broadway, University and Washington avenues, as well as Lake and Franklin Streets. In St Paul, Snelling and Hamline Avenues, Lexington Parkway and Wabasha Street are among the main north-south thoroughfares, while Seventh Street, University and Como Avenues are major east-west routes. With a good map, both cities are fairly easy to navigate.

Traffic is heavy during morning and evening rush hours (Monday-Friday 0700-0900 and 1600-1900). Entry to the interstates is controlled by traffic lights during these times.

Winter conditions present the biggest challenge to drivers in the Twin Cities. Extreme cold and copious amounts of snow and ice make driving hazardous, especially for those who are not used to such conditions. During heavy snowfalls, parking is banned on many main streets, or only allowed on even- or odd-numbered sides of residential streets, to enable snow ploughing. Vehicles parked in violation of the rules are swiftly towed away.

Metered parking, which costs from 50 cents per hour and often is free at the weekend, is available on Downtown streets. Meters take quarters (25-cent coins) only and parking time is often limited to two hours. Meters are strictly enforced and expired meters incur fines. There are also parking ramps (garages) and lots, which are more expensive.

To hire a car, drivers must be 25 years old and hold a major credit card. For UK nationals, a full UK driving licence is sufficient. Other nationalities are required to have an International Driving Permit, which must be accompanied by a full driving licence from their home country.

Service providers include Alamo (tel: (612) 726 5233 or 1 800 462 5266; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (612) 726 5220 or 1 800 331 1084; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (612) 726 5237 or 1 800 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Dollar (tel: (952) 854 3003 or 1 800 800 3665; website: www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel: (612) 727 3313 or 1 800 261 7331; website: www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: (651) 457 2788 or 1 800 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com), National (tel: (612) 725 6027 or 1 800 468 3334; website: www.nationalcar.com) and Thrifty (tel: (952) 854 8080 or 1 800 847 4389; website: www.thrifty.com).

Rates generally include the mandatory liability insurance but visitors should always enquire whether rates quoted include Collision Damage insurance, as this is not automatically included in American car hire rates. Drivers should also check whether the rate includes unlimited mileage, which is recommended for excursions outside the city.

The Twin Cities have an extensive system of bike paths, including dedicated commuter lanes along some of the main thoroughfares, as well as 85km (53 miles) of paved, interconnected paths, called the Grand Rounds, which run through parks and recreational areas. In Minneapolis, bicycles can be hired at Calhoun Cycle, 3342 Hennepin Avenue South (tel: (612) 827 8000; website: www.calhouncycle.com). The Alternative Bike and Board Shop, 2408 Hennepin Avenue South (tel: (612) 374 3635), has a variety of hire options, including tandem bikes.