Major city · United States
St. Louis CountySt. Louis County, Missouri
Base in Clayton or the Delmar Loop for 2 nights with a car; skip the county if you have no car — buses are slow and sparse.
St. Louis County is the suburban half of the St. Louis area: 1877 boundaries, about a million residents, and far fewer sights than the city next door. It holds the airport, the big malls, the county seat at Clayton, and a run of parks along the Meramec River. Two nights works if you have a car and want the museums, the Loop and the green belt; without a car, stay in the city and day-trip out on MetroLink.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (ice and cold)
- Airports
- STL · SUS
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for St. Louis County911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about St. Louis County, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetySt.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSTL Lambert St.
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Street or quick mealDeli sandwich or BBQ plate$10–20
- BeerDraught beer at a bar$6–9
- Metro or bus rideMetroLink ride$2.50–4
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum of Transportation adult entry$8
- Budget bedFamily room or suite (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$160
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- STL Lambert St. Louis International (In north county, about 14 mi northwest of downtown; MetroLink light rail runs from the terminal to the city.) · SUS Spirit of St. Louis (Charter and cargo only; not a scheduled gateway.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
Avoid*
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Apr (11 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
St. Louis County: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
7 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
10 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. County buses are slow, sparse and infrequent, so plan on driving unless your day sits on the MetroLink line — the Delmar Loop, downtown Clayton and the Galleria are the useful stops. MetroLink is fast and frequent between the airport, Clayton and the city. A 2-hour MetroLink transfer ticket from the airport costs $4.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
St. Louis city (Forest Park, Gateway Arch)
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
MetroLink from Clayton or the Loop, or 15–20 min by car
The city holds most of the region's sights; treat the county as your bed, the city as your day.
St. Charles, Missouri
goDoor to door: About 45 min
I-70 northwest by car, about 30 min from the airport
Historic Main Street on the Missouri River; easy half-day with a car.
Ferguson
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
I-270 or MetroLink to the North Hanley area, then a short drive
A north-county town with its own history; go for a specific reason, not as a sight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Clayton
County seat and business district; hotels, coffeehouses and upscale dining, walkable core, MetroLink nearby. Best all-round base.
Delmar Loop / University City
Storefronts, music venues, bookstores and restaurants on one street; MetroLink stops at the Loop. Best for food and evenings.
West County (Frontenac, Ladue, Chesterfield)
Two upscale malls and highway access; needs a car for everything.
Kirkwood
Small-town downtown with shops and an Amtrak station; good for families and the Museum of Transportation.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$150 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| MetroLink airport transfer ticket (2 h)2 × US$4 | US$8 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · add fuel and parking | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$104 |
| Trip total≈ US$286 per person per day, bed included | US$1,142 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Deli sandwich or BBQ plate | $10–20 |
| Draught beer at a bar | $6–9 |
| Museum of Transportation adult entry | $8 |
| Grant's Farm parking | $15 |
| Six Flags St. Louis gate price | $53 |
| MetroLink ride | $2.50–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Uber cannot pick up at STL airport, though it can drop off; use the taxi rank or MetroLink instead.
- Six Flags St. Louis and Hidden Valley are seasonal; check opening dates before you build a day around them.
- Some listed restaurants and small attractions close or change hands; confirm hours the day before.
- Summer heat and humidity are real; carry water on the river-bluff trails.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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St. Louis CountySt. Louis County, Missouri
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in St. Louis County; consulates and embassies sit in Washington, DC and Chicago. Check your own country's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- STL airport → Clayton, MetroLink: about $4 for a 2-hour transfer ticket
- STL airport → Clayton, taxi: $35–50
- Rental car, one day: from about $60 plus fuel and parking
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for St. Louis County. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat and humidity), late Dec–Feb (ice and cold) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares