The Twin Cities have an excellent and growing mass transit system.  Two dollars, a 20 minute ride, and a two-block walk will get you from the MSP airport to the Crowne Plaza Saint Paul Riverfront Hotel or the City Center Hotel.  We encourage all conference participants to walk, bike or ride public transit to the conference once they arrive in Minnesota. We especially encourage Minnesota residents to explore bus route options and give Metro Transit a try!

(1) Transportation from the MSP International Airport to downtown St. Paul:

Bus (20 minute ride):  To get from MSP to the Crowne Plaza, you’ll want to take Bus #54 northbound.  Meet it at airport transit plaza gate #4.  Look for “54 – Limited Stop – St. Paul via Airport” on the front of the bus.  This bus leaves every 15-30 minutes and all day except from 1am to 5am.  Fare will be $2.00 during rush hours (weekdays 6-9am and 3-6:30pm) and $1.50 during non-rush hour times.   (Must have exact change in bills or coins.)

Then walk (2 blocks) to the Crowne Plaza hotel: Tell the driver you want to get off at 5th and Wabasha in downtown St. Paul.  Ride this bus down 5th Street to Wabasha/Cedar St. in downtown St. Paul. Once on foot, walk to Crowne Plaza at 11 Kellogg Blvd. East (0.2 miles): walk 1 block SE on 5th Street, turn left on Wabasha St., walk 1 block SE on Wabasha, turn left on Kellogg Blvd East. Crowne Plaza Hotel is at the corner of Kellogg and Wabasha.   Here’s a map of your walking route [http://tinyurl.com/zumyz]. 

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Then walk (2 blocks) to the City Center Hotel: Ride this bus down 5th Street two blocks past Wabasha Street to Minnesota St. in downtown St. Paul. Once on foot, walk to the City Center Hotel at 411 Minnesota Street (0.1 miles): walk 1 block SW on 5th street, turn right on Minnesota St. and walk 1 block NW. Hotel will be on the left side of the street.

For more information, download a #54 bus schedule [http://www.metrotransit.org/images/routes/054.pdf], or call Metro Transit’s excellent live help line at 612-373-3333, or visit www.metrotransit.org.

(2) Transportation from the Amtrak station to downtown St. Paul:

Bus (25 minute ride): Walk to bus stop (0.3 miles): Walk 2 blocks south on Transfer Road, bear right on Cleveland Ave North, walk a short distance south on Cleveland Ave North, turn right on University Ave West, and walk a short distance NW on University Ave West. Catch bus route 16 at University Ave and Cleveland. This bus comes every 10 minutes. Fare will be $2.00 during rush hours (weekdays 6-9am and 3-6:30pm) and $1.50 during non-rush hours. 

Then Walk(2 blocks) to the Crowne Plaza Hotel: Ride until Cedar Street and 4th Street downtown St. Paul. Walk to Crowne Plaza at 11 Kellogg Blvd. East (0.13 miles): walk 1 block SE on Cedar Street, turn right on Kellogg Blvd. E., walk 1 block SW on Kellogg.

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Then Walk (2 blocks) to the City Center Hotel: Ride until Minnesota Street and 4th Street downtown St. Paul. Walk to City Center Hotel at 411 Minnesota Street (0.17 miles): walk 2 blocks NW on Minnesota Street.

For more information, call Metro Transit’s excellent live help line at 612-373-3333, or visit www.metrotransit.org.