Travel Conditions
Interstate Highway 35W Information
Minnesota Highway map
View and/or print the official state highway map here, or order a copy to be mailed to you.
Minnesota Sales Tax
In most of Minnesota, the sales tax is 6.5 percent on all products except purchases of unprepared food, clothing, shoes or medicine. In the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the sales tax is 7 percent.
Tipping/gratuities
The custom of tipping service personnel is a generally-accepted practice in Minnesota: 15-20 percent for restaurant wait staff; 10-15 percent for taxi drivers; 50 cents to $1 per bag for bellmen. Occasionally, gratuities are automatically added to restaurant checks, but not often.
Alcoholic beverages
It is best to inquire locally about legal drinking restrictions; they vary by county. Generally, bars and restaurants, hotels and other drinking establishments are open from 8 am -2 am Monday through Saturday and 12 pm -12 am on Sunday. Persons must be 21 years of age to consume alcoholic beverages in Minnesota.
Transportation
Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT)
MNDOT posts alternate trafic routes on their website.
Conveniently located within 30 minutes of both downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, MSP serves more than 175 destinations. MSP's main terminal – Lindbergh Terminal is located just off Highway 5 in St. Paul. Highway 5 connects to Interstate 494 and Highway 55. The Humphrey Terminal is just off Interstate 494 near 34th Avenue. Both passenger terminals at MSP are served by light rail, which runs between downtown Minneapolis to the north, and the Mall of America in Bloomington to the south.
Air carriers/other airports
MSP is served by many commercial air carriers offering scheduled flights to key destinations. A network of municipally-owned airports and seaplanes make many points in Minnesota accessible by air.
Some of the state’s best scenery is found along the Amtrak route, which serves Winona, Red Wing, Saint Paul, Saint Cloud, Staples and Detroit Lakes.
Taxi/limousine service
Taxi service is usually ordered by telephone or hired at taxi stands. Basic fare is approximately a $4 boarding fee plus $1.60 each mile. Many metro area hotels offer complimentary limousine service to and from the airport. Private limousine service is also available.
Mass and public transportation
In Minneapolis/Saint Paul: The Metropolitan Council Transit Operations system operates a full schedule of buses throughout the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area. And light rail from the Minneapolis/Saint Paul airport to downtown Minneapolis, including the Mall of America in Bloomington.
Other cities, such as Duluth, Saint Cloud and Rochester also offer public transportation system. To learn more, click here.
International travel
Entry from Canada, Europe, and Japan via air: customs declaration forms are distributed at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Air Charter Terminal in a variety of languages.
Entry from Canada via ground transportation: Customs checks are carried out at checkpoints in Baudette, Crane Lake, Grand Portage, International Falls, Lancaster, Noyes, Pine Creek, Roseau and Warroad. (Checkpoints are marked with a crossed flag symbol on the official Minnesota highway map.
More information on US Customs regulations
International Travel
Travel Document Procedures are Changing!
Customs Requirements
Entry from Canada, Europe, and Japan via air: customs declaration forms are available at the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Air Charter.