Minneapolis Travel Essentials

• Minneapolis has a humid continental climate with hot and humid summers and cold and snowy winters. Average temperatures range between 15°F in winter and 74°F in summer.
• Rain is spread rather evenly throughout the year. It usually rains about 8 days per month in November–February, and around 10 days in April–October. Expect snowfall between November and April.
• With average temperatures of over 70°F, June–August is the warmest period of the year. Summer record highs have reached up to 108°F, but Minneapolis rarely experiences extremely hot days.
• The peak season is June–August when you can expect higher hotel rates and more crowds. If you plan to visit Minneapolis around this time of the year, it’s best to book a few months ahead.
• The best times to visit Minneapolis are May and September, just before and after the peak season. You’ll find good hotel deals, agreeable weather conditions, and lesser crowds at places of interest.

• Plug type: A and B
• Electricity: 120 V
• Currency: United States Dollar (U.S.$)
• International dialing code: +1 612
• Emergency telephone number: 911

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is the main arrival hub to the metropolitan area of Minneapolis–St. Paul.

You can also get to Minneapolis by train on the Amtrak Empire Builder route.

If you’re on a budget or want to travel through the states as the authors of the Beat Generation did in the post-war era, you can get to Minneapolis by Greyhound bus or other interstate motorcoach companies.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport is 10 miles south of downtown Minneapolis as the crows fly. The average driving time between the airport and the city centre is 15 minutes.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the 2 terminal buildings. Ground transportation options for getting to downtown Minneapolis are as follows:

• taxi cabs can be found in Terminal 1 (Level T). A freehub streetcar links the 2 terminals. In Terminal 2, taxi cabs are available at the Ground Transportation Center, on the ground level of the Purple Ramp opposite the terminal building.
• Uber and Lyft pick-up neighborhoods are at the Ground Transportation Centres – on Level 2 of the Green Parking Ramp facing Terminal 1 and right next to the taxi stand opposite Terminal 2.
• limos, hotel, and off-airport shuttle services are located in the Transit Center on Level 1 of the Silver Ramp at Terminal 1. You can get there by streetcar from Terminal 2.
• Metro Transit operates a city bus service – Route 54 – which links Terminal 1 to downtown Minneapolis.
• Light Rail Transit trains run by Metro Transit have a stop at each terminal.
• major automobile rental companies can be found on the ground level of the Silver Parking Ramp in Terminal 1 and right next to the taxi stand opposite Terminal 2.

St. Paul Union Depot

St. Paul Union Depot is the Amtrak station of the Twin Cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul. It’s a historic railroad station and a major transit hub located at 240 East Kellogg Boulevard in downtown St. Paul. The Twin City is served daily by the Amtrak Empire Builder route that links Chicago to Spokane, then to Seattle or Portland.

From St. Paul Union Depot, you can get to your hotel by taxi cab, rideshare, or public transportation systems (Metro Transit bus or light rail train).

Minneapolis Hawthorne Bus Center

Hawthorne Bus Center sits on 950 Hawthorne Avenue in the city centre of Minneapolis. It’s served by all the major interstate bus companies such as Greyhound, Peter Pan, and Flixbus, just to name a few. From here, you can get to your hotel by the same means of transportation as from St. Paul Union Depot.

Travel tips

Minneapolis forms the Twin Cities with the neighboring state capital of St. Paul, both separated by the Mississippi River. Downtown Minneapolis covers an area of about 3 square miles. It’s easily walkable, thanks to the Minneapolis Skyway that protects pedestrians from bad weather. It’s home to a good range of landmarks such as the Mill City Museum, Minneapolis's Orchestra Hall, and The Depot ice-skating rink, among many others. It also hosts lively dining, shopping, and nightlife entertainment options. Riding a bicycle is also a cool way for exploring the Minneapolis city centre.

For longer distances, depending on your budget and preference, you can get around by taxi cab, rideshare, public transportation, or rental automobile.

Traveling by public transports in Minneapolis

Metro Transit is the primary public transportation company operating in Minneapolis. The system covers the entire city and suburbs. It features 120 bus routes, 3 light rail lines, and commuter trains. Other public transportation companies are Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Maple Grove Transit, and Southwest Transit.

A wide range of ticketing options is available, from single-trip tickets to multiple-day passes. You can buy tickets on the bus with this exact amount in cash, while multi-day passes are available online and at specific locations.

Renting a automobile in Minneapolis

In Minnesota, foreigners can use their home country-issued driving license for up to 60 days. Renting a automobile is a good option for getting around Minneapolis, especially if you plan to visit the many lakes surrounding Twin Cities. The city is easily navigable, and it features plenty of free parking lots. A good option is to find a parking lot near a Skyway entrance. Note that heavy traffic on highways at rush hour can be frustrating. You can find automobile rental agencies in the city centre, besides at the airport. 

Taking a taxi cab in Minneapolis

Taxi cabs are easy to find in Minneapolis, such as Red & White Taxi cab (+1 612-871-1600), Yellow Cab Minneapolis (+1 612-644-6569), Eagle Taxi cab (+1 612-216-5550), and many more. You can also easily find taxi cab lines in front of hotels and main attractions. It’s easy to hail one on the street.

Convenient yet rather expensive, getting around Minneapolis by taxicab is not your best option if you’re on a budget, although a taxi cab ride may be your only option to get back to your hotel if you’re a night owl. Note that tipping for taxi cabs in the states is usually between 15% and 20% of the fare. Most taxi cab drivers accept credit cards, though sometimes reluctantly.

Uber and Lyft are the 2 main ride-sharing apps used in Minneapolis. Their rates are slightly cheaper than standard taxicabs.

Cycling around Minneapolis

When the weather allows, hiring a bicycle is a great way of getting around Minneapolis. It’s ranked among the most bike-friendly cities in the USA. Many cycling trails for all levels are spread throughout the city. The Midtown Greenway, the Chain of Lakes, and Minneapolis River Parkways are just a few of the scenic cycling routes available. Maps are available online.

Minneapolis features a bike-sharing program named Nice Ride Minnesota. It has over 3,000 bikes and over 400 stations across Minneapolis–St. Paul. You can also hire a bike, electric, or mountain bike at rental companies such as Tangletown Bike Shop (+1 612-259-8180), Wheel Fun Rentals (+1 612-729-2660), and Freewheel Bike Midtown Bike Center (+1 612-238-4447), just to name a few.

Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Movie Festival 

• April
• Held each year since 1981, the festival showcases more than 250 movies from over 70 countries and attracts over 40,000 attendants.
• Where: St. Anthony Main Theater and other theaters throughout the city

Minneapolis Aquatennial

• July
• A festive, family-friendly outdoor celebration of the city’s lakes and rivers, held since 1940. Over 70 events are part of the festival, from sandcastle building contests to the ‘Milk Carton Boat Race’ and ‘Target Fireworks’.
• Where: Mill City Quarter

Minnesota Fringe Festival

• August
• One of the largest performing arts events in the States spanning 11 days and featuring comedy, dance, drama, and musical 60-minutes fringe shows.
• Where: Various venues across Minneapolis

Historic Fort Snelling

A National Historic Landmark 8 miles south of Minneapolis city centre. The 1825 site sits on a Dakota homeland near the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.

Midtown Global Market

A market that brings together a wide range of food and items from various cultures. Around 18 international restaurants serve Thai, Moroccan, Japanese, and Mediterranean dishes while stores sell personalized gifts, crystals, ethnic clothes, and home décor.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

A collection of over 90,000 works of art spanning over 5,000 years of history. The free museum also organizes educational workshops and courses for anyone interested in art.

Lakewood Cemetery

A leafy retreat where you can explore nearly 150 years of Minneapolis history. The historic chapel on the grounds was modeled after the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and it’s the final resting place for many respected Minneapolis residents.