World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Metro Transit – MTC (tel: (612) 373 3333 or (612) 341 4287 for 24-hour automated information; website: www.metrotransit.org), together with Suburban Bus Lines, operates 132 bus routes throughout the Twin Cities area. Some routes operate 24 hours – the Metro Transit office provides further information.

Fares within the Downtown districts are 50 cents at all times. Outside the city centres, the fare is US$1.75 (US$2.25 for express buses), Monday-Friday 0600-0900 and 1530-1830 or US$1.25 (US$1.75 for express buses) at all other times and on weekends. Single fares are available for purchase on the bus, in cash only, as drivers cannot make change.

Stored Value Cards, valid at any time of the day, are available for US$10, US$15 or US$20. A 31-Day SuperSaver pass, costing US$42, 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.

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 eight kilometres (five 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.

Taxis
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. The basic fare is US$3 for the first mile and US$1.30 per additional mile, with possible US$5 minimum or surcharges for extra passengers or airport runs. Taxi companies include Airport Taxi (tel: (952) 928 0000 or (651) 222 0000), Rainbow Taxi (tel: (612) 332 1615), Suburban/Green & White Taxi (tel: (612) 522 2222 or (651) 222 2222) and Yellow (tel: (612) 824 4444 or (651) 222 4433). It is customary for passengers to tip up to 15% of the total fare.

Limousines
Companies offering a range of chauffeur-driven vehicles include Premier Transportation, 4225 Hiawatha Avenue, Minneapolis (tel: (612) 331 7433 or (800) 331 7433; website: www.premiertrans.com). Rates for an eight-passenger limousine start at US$75 per hour, dropping to US$69 per hour for three or more hours, plus 20% driver gratuity. Eclipse Transportation, 750 Bayfield Street, St Paul (tel: (651) 293 1111; website: www.eclipsecars.com) offers a similar service.

Driving in the City
Minneapolis and St Paul are laid out on grid systems that extend from either side of the Mississippi River. The main streets in Minneaplis 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. Up-to-date information on the situation is provided (tel: (651) 266 7569 in St Paul or (612) 348 7669 in Minneapolis).

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 cost US$9-15 per day in Minneapolis and US$6-10 per day in St Paul, with lower rates at the weekend. On weekends and on weekdays after 1600, the ‘Do the Town’ programme enables drivers to park free with a US$20 purchase at participating shops, restaurants and clubs, who validate the tickets at the time of purchase.

Car Hire
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 5323 or (800) 327 9633; website: www.goalamo.com), Avis (tel: (612) 725 5220 or (800) 831 2847; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (612) 725 9258 or (800) 527 0700; website: www.budgetrentacar.com), Dollar (tel: (612) 725 0644 or (800) 800 4000; website: www.dollar.com), Enterprise (tel: (612) 866 7650 or (800) 325 8007; website: www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: (651) 598 9585 or (800) 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com), National (tel: (612) 725 9500 or (800) 227 7368; website: www.nationalcar.com) and Thrifty (tel: (612) 854 8080 or (800) 367 2277; website: www.thrifty.com).

The daily hire rate for a mid-sized car is approximately US$40. 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.

Bicycle Hire
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), for US$6 per hour or US$24 per day. The Alternative Bike and Board Shop, 2408 Hennepin Avenue South (tel: (612) 374 3635), has a variety of hire options, including tandem bikes for US$5 per hour. The Bike Shop, 213 South East Oak Street (tel: (612) 331 3442), has three-speed, ten-speed and mountain bikes from US$10-18 per day.