Local time Minneapolis-St Paul

Currency

US$

Travel to Minneapolis-St Paul

Flying to Minneapolis-St Paul

Delta operates direct flights to Minneapolis-St Paul from the UK. Alternatively, options with one stopover include Icelandair (via Reykjavik) and United (via Newark or Chicago). Multiple airlines offer domestic routes to the city from within the USA, including American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.

Flight times

From London - 9 hours 15 minutes; New York - 3 hours; Los Angeles - 3 hours 30 minutes; Toronto - 2 hours; Sydney - 20 hours (including stopover).

Travel by road

There is an extensive system of interstate highways, which are the US equivalent of motorways. These are the fastest and most direct routes between locations. Some of these routes are toll roads. Traffic drives on the right. The legal driving age in Minnesota is 16.

Speed limits in Minnesota are 113kph (70mph) on rural interstate highways, (105kph) 65mph on urban interstate highways and expressways, 89kph (55mph) on other non-urban roads and 48kph (30mph) in towns. A valid national driving licence is required, although car hire companies may request an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in English. Basic insurance is mandatory.

The AAA (tel: +1 800 222 1333; www.aaa.com) provides information and might offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services

AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357). Car hire companies generally provide a number for customers in the event of an emergency breakdown.

Routes

The Twin Cities are served by an efficient interstate highway system. I-35 runs north-south (south to Omaha and Kansas City) and has two branches – I-35E runs through St Paul, while I-35W runs through Minneapolis. The two branches meet again north of the city centre.

I-94 runs east-west through both cities (on to Winnipeg, Chicago and Milwaukee) and intersects with both branches of I-35. The I-494 and I-694 form a large oval around the cities, called the ‘Belt Line’. This intersects with most of the major highways in the area.

Other state roads into the metro area include highways 10, 52 and 55, which run roughly southeast-northwest, as well as SR-36, which enters St Paul from the east.

Coaches

Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) and Jefferson Bus Lines (tel: +1 800 451 5333; www.jeffersonlines.com) provide intercity coach services to and from the Twin Cities to destinations around the USA and Canada, including direct services from New York, Los Angeles, Winnipeg and Chicago.

Both companies use the same city centre terminals. The Minneapolis Terminal, 950 Hawthorne Avenue, is opposite the Orpheum Theatre and is close to city bus routes along Hennepin Avenue and Seventh Street and Eighth Street. In St Paul, coaches stop at Union Depot, the Amtrak station on 240 East Kellogg Boulevard.

Time to city

From Milwaukee - 5 hours; Chicago - 6 hours 30 minutes; Omaha - 6 hours; Winnipeg - 7 hours; Kansas City - 6 hours 30 minutes.

Travel by Rail

Services

Amtrak trains stop at the renovated Union Depot station, located at 240 Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St Paul.

Amtrak trains are comfortable, if a little slow and sometimes subject to delays.

Operators

Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the USA's national railway operator.

Minneapolis-St Paul is on a major east-west line, called the ‘Empire Builder’, which runs daily from Chicago to either Portland or Seattle.

Journey times

From Chicago - 7 hours 40 minutes; Portland - 37 hours; Seattle - 37 hours.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

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Graves 601

A sophisticated modern luxury hotel, Graves 601 is located in the heart of Downtown Minneapolis, on top of the Block E complex. Rising 22 stories above street level, the hotel's stylish rooms include large plasma screen TVs, high-speed Internet and other high-tech amenities. Bathrooms have five-head power showers. The hotel has two restaurants--the acclaimed Cosmos, and the pre-prohibition-styled Bradstreet Crafthouse Restaurant.

W Minneapolis-The Foshay

W Hotels took a 1929 art deco structure and whipped it into a hip hotel with a roaring 1920s theme. The lobby's original arcade ceiling has been restored as has the 27th floor boardroom - the Prohibition Bar. Rooms are stylishly modern with the signature W bed, W pillow menu, plus a state-of-the-art entertainment system, high speed internet access and weekday newspaper delivery. Other amenities include in-room spa services and a fitness centre.

Hilton Minneapolis

Housed in an elegant, 25-storey Victorian brick building, the Hilton Minneapolis is located in the centre of Downtown with convenient skyway connections to the nearby business, shopping and entertainment areas. Guest rooms are well appointed with rich colours, oak furnishings, a 'Serenity Bed' with down comforter, large HDTV, MP3 connection and high speed wireless internet. The health club includes an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. For regional and international cuisine, the hotel offers the Skywater restaurant.

Saint Paul Hotel

A St Paul landmark saturated with old-world charm, this sophisticated hotel offers newly renovated rooms with comfortable mattresses, lighting with dimmers, high speed internet, mini bar and a finely appointed bathroom. Dining options include The St Paul Grill featuring an American dinner menu and M ST. Café for breakfast and lunch. The Lobby Bar, a popular meeting place, serves lighter fare as well as cocktails. A rooftop fitness centre, business centre and free internet in the lobby are nice touches.

Holiday Inn River Centre

This comfortable hotel is conveniently located near Downtown St Paul's attractions. There are 194 spacious guest rooms. The hotel also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi internet, fitness centre with indoor pool and Jacuzzi. The hotel includes an authentic Irish pub, The Liffey, with several other restaurants within walking distance.

Hilton Garden Inn

The Hilton Garden Inn in Downtown Cleveland is a business hotel located near Jacobs Field and Playhouse Square. The hotel has 240 guest rooms (eight of which are two-room suites), and among its amenities are complimentary high-speed internet access and indoor pool with whirlpool and a fitness centre. The hotel also offers two 24-hour business centres.