World City Guide

Getting There By Rail

Amtrak (tel: (651) 644 6012; website: www.amtrak.com) is the national railway service provider, with comfortable and generally reliable services, although it is always a good idea for travellers to confirm reservations and check train times prior to departure.

The Amtrak Minneapolis – St Paul (MSP) railway station is located at 730 Transfer Road in St Paul’s Midway area, approximately ten minutes from either Downtown area. Facilities at the station are basic, with an enclosed waiting area, parking, vending machines and public telephones.

Amtrak information centres are located throughout Downtown St Paul, including City Hall and Courthouse, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard, and the Landmark Center, 75 West Fifth Street. Tickets are available for purchase at the Amtrak station, on the website or reserved by telephone and picked up at the station – a photo ID is required for this service. National rail enquiries should be directed to Amtrak’s general number (tel: (800) 872 7245).

Rail services: The station is on a major east–west line, called the ‘Empire Builder’, which runs daily from Chicago and points further east to Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Journey times by rail from Minneapolis to Chicago, Portland and Seattle are 8, 36 and 37 hours, respectively.

Transport to the city: MTC (tel: (612) 373 3333) bus 16 serves the train station. The taxi fare is approximately US$12 to St Paul and US$17 to Minneapolis.