Car Hire in Minneapolis - Getting to Minneapolis

Minneapolis is situated towards the southeastern part of the state of Wisconsin, lying across the Mississippi River from St Paul, and is well served by air, road and rail.

Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport lies between the two cities on I-494, 13kms south of downtown St Paul and 16kms south of downtown Minneapolis. It is served by most major domestic airlines and several foreign carriers, and is a Northwest Airlines hub. New York is three hours away by air, and London is a nine-hour flight.

The Metropolitan Transit Commission runs buses to both cities for US$1.75 in off-peak hours, and US$2.25 during rush hour. Airport Express runs vans to many hotels for about US$11 one-way. A taxi to downtown Minneapolis costs about US$25; a taxi to downtown St Paul costs about US$17.

To get to Minneapolis by car, take Highway 5 east, following signs to Highway 55 east, which turns into Highway 62 west. Follow the signs to I-35W north, which will lead to the downtown Minneapolis exits. To reach downtown St Paul, take Highway 5 east to West 7th Street, which leads directly into downtown, or take the north I-35E exit from West 7th Street, which leads to the St Paul exits.

The major north-south route (from Canada) through the area is I-35, which divides into I-35W bisecting Minneapolis and I-35E through St Paul. I-94 goes east-west through both cities. A beltway circles the Twin Cities, with I-494 looping through the southern suburbs and I-694 cutting through the north.

St Paul's Amtrak station serves both cities; trains go direct to Chicago and on to eastern and southern destinations as well as directly to the west coast states.

The best option by bus is Greyhound, with coaches serving destinations state wide and with onward connections across the country. There are stations both in Minneapolis and St Paul.