Saint Paul

The questions people ask first about Saint Paul, 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
• SafetyDowntown Saint Paul is calm and walkable by day; the real risks are winter cold…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$3–6
• Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, mainAdd 18–22% tip and sales tax.$18–35
• Street or quick mealLunch sandwich or bowl$12–18
• BeerDraught beer$6–9
• Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi or rideshare3.1 mi (5 km) taxi or rideshare$12–20
• Metro or bus rideMetro Transit single ride$2–2.50
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
• Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Science Museum, History Center)$13–25
• Budget bedHostel or shared-room bed, a night, per personUS$45
• Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
• High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$165 · High US$300

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (Metro Transit Route 54 to downtown Saint Paul, about 20 min; taxi about $31–38)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$70–110 excl. bed

Mid

$130–200 excl. bed

High

$250+ excl. bed

• Winter is genuinely dangerous cold: −20 °C (−4 °F) or lower with wind chill is normal in January. Cover skin, and keep a car kit if driving.Winter is genuinely dangerous cold: −4 °F (−20 °C) or lower with wind chill is normal in January. Cover skin, and keep a car kit if driving.
• Downtown empties after about 21:00 on weeknights; the busier evening blocks are in Lowertown and along West 7th.Downtown empties after about 9:00 PM on weeknights; the busier evening blocks are in Lowertown and along West 7th.
• Some downtown blocks around the bus depot and light-rail stops see petty theft and panhandling at night; keep bags zipped.
• Sales tax is added at the till, and sit-down restaurants expect 18–22% tip on the pre-tax total.
• The State Fair (mid-Aug to Labor Day) and Winter Carnival (January) fill hotels: book weeks ahead.