Minneapolis, Minnesota
- SOTMUS Locations
- Lodging Options
- Airport
Airline and airport information
Minneapolis - Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) services both domestic and international flights with several direct flights to Europe and Asia on a daily basis. The airport is a Delta hub, so you can typically find good prices on direct and connecting flights from around the US and the world.
The airport has two physically disconnected terminals numbered 1 and 2 ((previously named Lindbergh and Humphrey, respectively). Terminal 2 is smaller and serves Sun Country, Southwest, jetBlue, Icelandair, and Condor airlines. All other airlines are at Terminal 1. Both terminals are connected by the Blue Line light rail.
The Metro Blue Line runs from the airport to downtown Minneapolis at least once every 10 minutes. To get to the venue and surrounding hotels, you'll want to transfer to the Metro Green Line at the US Bank Stadium station. This trip takes approximately 30 minutes and is an excellent way to get downtown. The fare is $2.50 during rush hours and $2.00 at all other times.
It is a 20-40 minute car ride to the venue, depending heavily on traffic and when you journey. MSP offers rental cars, taxis, ride share (Uber and Lyft), shuttles, and buses into Minneapolis. A Lyft from the airport to the University area typically costs $20-30. More travel information is readily accessible on the airport website and at the airport.
Transit
There are an abundant array of transit options in Minneapolis. We highly recommend using Transit app or your favorite public transit app to navigate the city. Lyft and Uber are both available.
Minneapolis has strong bicycling culture and infrastructure. McNamara and the surrounding University of Minnesota area has many bike lanes, a scenic riverfront, and is a great starting point for your cycle adventure. Minneapolis was one of the first cities in the US to get a bicycle sharing system, and NiceRide Minnesota has docks around all of the Twin Cities. You can find a station on the road between McNamara and the Graduate hotel. A day pass costs $6.00.
MetroTransit, the region's public transit provider, runs light rail, commuter rail, and buses throughout the region. Notably, the Blue Line will carry you between the Mall of America, the airport, and downtown Minneapolis. You can transfer to the Green Line> to travel to McNamara and the University area or to visit neighboring Saint Paul.
Lodging
There are dozens of convenient and affordable places to say in Minneapolis.
Several hotels are within walking distance of McNamara, the conference venue. We have a discounted rate at the Graduate next door to the venue:
Graduate Hotel
Adjacent to McNamara, the Graduate is an extremely convenient and affordable hotel. If the weather is not optimal you can use the underground tunnel that connects the McNamara and Graduate buildings. We have a discounted room rate of $167/night by using this booking site.
Visiting the U.S. in 2019
Visa Information
A foreign national traveling to the United States for tourism needs a visitor visa (B-2) unless qualifying for entry under the Visa Waiver Program. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism.
Here is a list of countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. In other words, if you are a citizen of the U.S., Canada, or one of the following countries, you do not require a Visa. However, travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel:
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom**
**To be eligible to travel under the VWP, British citizens must have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man.
Based on information from the U.S. State Department, if you require a Visa to visit the U.S., please make sure you've submitted the application by July 7th, 2019. This is 60 days before the start of the conference.
The U.S. State Department's goal is visa delivery no more than 30 days from the time of application in most cases, although cases that require administrative processing could take longer. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of application. Here is a link to our visa Law and Policy.
Here is the URL for electronic Visa application.
Your Rights
If you plan on attending State of the Map US and are not a resident of the U.S., please make sure you know your rights. As far as we understand, anyone is subject to potential screening and questioning upon entry into the U.S., no matter what country you are traveling from or where your citizenship is from.
This page tells you about your basic rights. It is not a substitute for legal advice. You should contact an attorney if you have been arrested or believe that your rights have been violated.
REMEMBER: It is illegal for law enforcement officers to perform any stops, searches, detentions, or removals based solely on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. However, law enforcement officers at the airport and at the border generally have the authority to search all bags and to ask you questions about your citizenship and travel itinerary.
