Advice for Travelers by Julie MacTaggart

I would first like to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to AoIR 1.0's "Travel Advice" author Ulla Bunz, without whose foundation work this project would have had much less direction. 

The information provided on this page will help you prepare for your trip to the Twin Cities area. If you have specific travel questions, please contact me, Julie Mactaggart, at jmactaggart@earthlink.net and I will do my best to secure answers for you. If you have other conference questions, please contact John Logie at logie@umn.edu. Thank you. 

The US Customs Homesite has valuable information for foreign visitors.

US temperatures are measured in Fahrenheit. To convert from Celsius, remember a few basic rules:

• each 18 F equal 10 C
• 59 F equal 15 C
• 68 F equal 20 C
• 77 F equal 25 C

Clothing: You will discover that dress is fairly casual in the U.S.  If you wear nice slacks and a shirt, or a skirt and blouse, you should feel right at home.  Because the weather changes unexpectedly, bring a warm sweater or a jacket. 

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Money Issues
It is a good idea to get some US currency before your arrival in the U.S.  Although you can use a Visa or Mastercard nearly everywhere (including at many grocery shops), you will need cash for leaving tips, using the vending machines, and for local transportation.  You can check the current exchange rate here. Please note that when you use your Mastercard or Visa, you actually receive the most favorable exchange rate.  I leave the use of Traveler Checks entirely up to you. Although they are accepted at banks and at major stores, they can be very inconvenient to use. Please note that if you find yourself running short of US currency, many local banks can exchange your country's cash.

Things to keep in mind when calculating how much U.S. currency you will need:

• Advertised prices in the US exclude sales tax. Taxes vary depending on the product you wish to purchase. Within Minneapolis, add 7% to purchases of items such as books, clothing, footware and accessories;alcohol and cigarettes are taxed at a much higher rate, and the hospitality tax in downtown Minneapolis is 10%. 
• Tipping is important in the US. Tip a cab driver about 15%, a waiter 10-20% (depending on quality of both the restaurant and the service) but never less than $1. At restaurants, it is common for several individuals to service your table. It is only necessary to leave one tip.  It is unnecessary to tip sales clerks or people from whom you get directions, but don't forget to leave a small tip in your room for the cleaners, and don't forget to tip the bartenders if you go to a bar or club. Note that if you are with a party of six or more, restaurants may levy a service charge. This charge is typically about 17% of the total bill. If you find this charge on your bill it is unnecessary to leave an additional tip, unless you feel that the service was exceptional. 
• Information about the U of M campus bus system (including fares) and parking availability is available here, as is information on tours, Gopher athletics, museums, galleries, and more. 
• Moderately priced lunches are available in the $5-10 range, dinners in the $8-$15 range.  There are some excellent restaurants that can be much more expensive.  You can also find economic meals at fast food restaurants (from $2-$5) and at coffee shops or bagel shops. Note that although a plain bagel runs about $0.65, once you begin to add ingredients the prices soar. In one local bagel chain, a "themed" bagel with turkey, vegetables, and salsa runs about $4.99, without a beverage or tax. You can get an idea of the large range of cuisine available at Dine.com.
• The prices for drinks vary, depending on specials.  A beer can be anywhere between $1-4. 
Happy hour falls between 4-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Happy Hour specials often feature two for the price of one drinks and appetizers at special, low prices. 
• University of Minnesota souvenirs can be expensive.  T-shirts are often priced around $20, with sweatshirts coming in considerably higher. Clothing prices, in general, cover a wide spectrum. It is usually fairly easy to find what you want "on sale" at local department stores.

Visa Requirements
Citizens of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other western countries generally do not need to apply for a visa in advance. Ensure that your passport is valid for at least a month longer than your intended stay.  When you clear passport control, your passport will be stamped. This stamp is your visa. Visa requirements for specific countries can be checked at your local consulate.

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Getting through customs
Everything you could ever want to know about the US Customs service and getting through it is available at the US Customs website. Since September 11th, US Customs is on a Level 1 alert.  What this means to each of us, in practical terms, is that it will take much longer both to check baggage and get on board a departing flight, and to clear customs once we have arrived at our US destinations. Now more than ever, getting through customs starts when you pack.

US Customs offers a number of tips to assist foreign travelers seeking to enter the United States. 

• If you have questions about what you can bring in, ask the US Customs Service directly. Do not rely on the advice of friends. 
• Declare all Duty-free goods, even if purchased in Duty-free shops. 
• Do not bring unauthorized agricultural products into the US. 
• Know the difference between commercial use and personal use goods. 
• Only bring the amount of medication you will require while visiting the US, and ensure that the medications you are taking have been FDA-approved and can be brought into the country legally. 
• Cuban cigars may not be brought into the US unless they were purchased in Cuba while on authorized travel. 
• There is a $400 exemption on goods brought into the US from abroad. 
• Customs officials have the authority to search your luggage and your person without a warrant. 
• Additional questions are provided in the US Customs Know Before You Go brochure. 

Minneapolis/St. Paul is an international gateway. With any luck, many of our foreign travelers will be able to book flights directly through. The process is fairly straight-forward here. After you leave your aircraft, you will be ushered to passport control. Once you have cleared Passport Control (where they will review your I-94), you are allowed to retrieve your luggage. You will probably be asked to show your documents again. At this time, you will be permitted to clear luggage customs. If you have dutiable items, you will need to go through the "red" line.  Otherwise, you may proceed through the "green" line. You may be asked the same questions a number of times, and you may be pulled from the "green" line for a luggage search. Although this may be annoying, it is for the overall safety of airline passengers, and is not directed against you per se. 

Once you have cleared US Customs, make your way to the bottom level of the airport, where you can contact car rental agencies, shuttle, and taxi companies. 

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Duty Free tips
Duty Free shops in Chicago, Detroit, and Minneapolis will seem very small to those used to the shops in New York and London; the selection of goods available is much smaller. If you see what you want in a shop at your point of origination, you might want to purchase it and keep it in your luggage for the duration of your trip. If you are in any doubt as to quantity regulations when purchasing items, the sales clerks will be able to assist you. Remember that even though such items will not count against your US Customs allowances, you must declare all Duty-Free items on your I-94. Additional information is available on the US Customs site.

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Renting (and driving) a car
If you have a driver's license and a credit card, chances are that you will be able to rent a car at MSP airport. After you have cleared US Customs, proceed to the lower level of the airport, where you can find phones directly connected to the top rental agencies. 

For advance reservations, which are recommended,, go to bnm.com , where you will find listings and comparison rates for top auto rental companies. It is much easier to rent a car at the airport than from any other area in the city. 

NOTE: Most major companies such as Hertz and Budget prefer that renters be at least 25 years of age. Note, too, that you will not need an international drivers license. You can drive on your own (valid) driver's license for up to 90 days. 

Driving 
Minnesota driving rules can be found at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety site. Some of the more notable rules are noted below:

• In the US, we drive on the right side of the road.
• Highway speed limits within the cities are 55 mph; in outlying areas -- 60mph.
• The speed limit on city streets is usually 30 mph; in school zones you are expected to slow down to 5 mph.
• Minneapolis is laid out on a grid system. North/south streets are named alphabetically; east/west streets tend to be numeric. St. Paul is laid out like the eastern cities. 
A very general map of the Twin Cities area is available at CNN.com. 

Check cultural observations for some peculiar driving tips and rules.
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Shuttling to Minneapolis
If you decide to take the shuttle to the conference hotel, you have options.  You can either make a reservation by phone or, once you have retrieved your luggage, make your way to the Airport Express kiosk on the lower level of the MSP airport. Shuttles leave the airport every fifteen minutes. You will have to schedule your return to the airport. 

Airport Taxi does not accept reservations on incoming flights. Once you have landed, cleared customs, and retrieved your luggage, you can call the toll-free number provided. The taxi dispatcher will provide you with a taxicab number, and direct you to the taxi-stand. 

Airport Shuttle Coach USA
One way: $13, Return: $20
Phone: 1-612-827-7777

Airport Taxi
One way: approx. $20-22
Phone: 1-928-0000
Phone: 1-800-464-0555
Note that you must have your luggage and be ready to go before calling for a cab. Airport Taxi drivers accept all major credit cards.

Surviving Jet Lag
Jetlag manifests as a complex set of symptoms, including but not limited to constipation, clammy sweat, diarrhea, dry cough (eyes and or skin), ear ache, fatigue, headache, loss of libido, impaired coordination and/or vision, susceptibility to illness, and swollen feet. Not surprisingly, it is triggered by an amazingly complex set of circumstances. If you'd like to get to your conference in relatively good shape, it might be a good idea to pay attention to some of the tips offered below: 

• Abstain from consuming alcohol while on board to avoid dehydration. 
• If your feet swell when you are flying, wear shoes that are a half size too large. 
• Stay awake after arrival ... until your normal bedtime, if possible. It is important to start to adjust to the local timetable as soon as possible. 
• After your arrival, schedule activities and work for times that you are likely to have the most energy. 
• Get outside! 

The time difference between continental Europe and Minnesota is 7 hours.  If it is 10 a.m. (in the morning) in Minnesota, it is 17.00 (five in the afternoon, or 5 p.m.) in Paris, Berlin, or Stockholm.  There is a six hour time difference between Great Britain and Minnesota. The time difference between Australia and Minnesota varies based upon the traveler's time zone, but between Sydney and Minnesota it is 15 hours. Note that there is a date change!  If it is 6 p.m. Wednesday in Minneapolis, it is 9 a.m. Thursday in Sydney. 

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Getting around in the Twin Cities
An engaging history of Minneapolis can be found at About Minneapolis, sponsored by the City of Minneapolis Office of Public Affairs. The Twin Cities have many reasons to be proud. Two of these? We are a known center for the performing arts, second only to New York in per capita theatre and art event attendance. We have more antiquarian and second hand book stores per capita than any other area in the United States (possibly due in part to the fact that Minneapolis' winter temperature average makes us the second coldest city in the US). 

The bus is probably the most economic way to get around the Twin Cities. Adult bus fares for most trips going in one direction are $1.25 during non-peak hours, and $1.75 during peak hours. MTC bus fare boxes will accept $1.00 bills and coins, in addition to quarters, dimes and nickles. Please note that drivers are not able to make change. Trip planners, schedules and route maps, and transit system maps are available on the Metropolitan Council web site. 

Metro Mobility is a service provided by the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council offering door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities. If you have completed an Americans with Disability Act form, you can provide this information and register with Metro Mobility for service. Information is available at the Metro Mobility web site. Additional resources for disabled passengers can be found at the Minneapolis/St. Paul About.com web site. 

Taxi rides are fairly expensive in the Twin Cities. A ride from the conference hotel on the East Bank to the Mall of America would probably fall within the $25 range. As a contrast, the bus fare for the same ride would be $1.25 during non-rush hour, or $1.75 during rush hour. In recognition of the fact that time is limited, a number of local taxicab companies are listed below, for your convenience: 

• Minneapolis Yellow Taxi/612-824-4444
• North Star Taxi/612-333-3133
• Red & White Taxi/612-871-1600
• Suburban Taxi Minneapolis/952-884-8888
• Suburban Taxi St. Paul/651-222-2222
• Twin Cities Taxi/651-250-5100

One thing you might want to keep in mind if you are renting a car is that downtown parking rates are, while not on the scale you expect to find in Chicago and New York, getting quite high, and tend to be "front-loaded." Your first hour or two will come at a premium cost; generally around $4-6 in the most popular city center ramps. While you might not want to walk to the downtown area (a walk of about four miles) from the conference hotel, taking the bus can represent a tangible savings. Wouldn't you rather have the extra cash, just in case? 

The best way to show you the Twin Cities would be to take each of you around myself. Logistically, that just isn't possible!  I offer, in poor substitution, a few online guides about the Twin Cities: SuperPages.com, CNN.com, boulevards.minneapolis, and CitySpin.com. 

Ask your hotel for driving directions to places of interest, or check MapQuest.

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Cultural Observations

• Peculiar driving tips: In Minnesota, unless a sign is posted that indicates otherwise, you can turn right at a red light. Traffic lights may hang in the middle of the intersection, so be sure to stop at the actual corner rather than advancing all of the way to the light.  It is a good idea to at least slow down at uncontrolled junctions (those without traffic lights or stop signs on any of the corners). Minnesotans are infamous for failing to use their turn indicators, so be absolutely sure that you have enough time and space to move from one traffic lane into another.  Try to avoid slowing down at the bottom of highway and freeway "on" ramps. Last but not least, you will probably notice that Twin Cities streets are suspiciously quiet; we tend not to use our horns very often. (Note that this should not lead you to think that we are not aggressive behind the wheel!)
• Eating and drinking: Although restaurants will provide ice water for free, it is becoming less customary for this service to be automatic.  If you want water and it has not been provided, do not be shy about asking for it. After you have been seated, a server will ask what you want to drink. US drinks are often provided with a full glass of ice cubes.  Let your server know if you do not want ice in your beverage. In most restaurants, beverage refills are free.  If you are not sure about whether this is the case, be sure to ask.  Appetizers are Starters; main courses are Entrees.  Fancier restaurants may serve a la carte.  When food is only available a la carte, be sure to order each item that you want, because they are all provided separately.
• Women: Women and men are treated equally in the US, and such hard-won equality is protected by law.  Please note our ideosyncratic habit of calling a group of people "you guys," even if the group includes women, and don't be offended! 
• Conversation: I agree with last year's "Travel Rules" author, Ulla Bunz.Americans are very friendly people, and many of us are fascinated by accents! Don't be shy, and feel free to ask questions. If we respond too quickly, ask us to slow down and/or repeat what we've said. 
• Name/Nom/? Within the US, salutation formalities are most frequently observed in the business boardroom and when a situation dictates formality. The rest of the time, non-residents might be forgiven for assuming that we haven't got last names!The terms "Mr." and "Mrs." can make us feel downright uncomfortable, and may even be perceived as rude rather than respectful.If you don't know somebody's name, ask them how they would like to be addressed. 

Understand that this is a very basic primer.  Much of what makes foreign travel exciting is the constant opportunity to learn new things.This having been said, if you would like specific information that I have not provided, please feel free to contact me I will do my best to provide what you require.

Best regards,

Julie Mactaggart.