City in Minnesota, United States
Minneapolis
Lakes, bike trails, theaters and a strong food scene in a livable Midwest city. Summers are lovely; winters are very cold and long. Most useful with a car, but downtown and light rail are easy.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$3,400–4,700Comfortable, one person · $3,400–4,700Details
- Value for money12/100Better value than 11% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goJun–SepWarmest: Jul, 29°CDetails
- Air quality6.4 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2022) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet307 MbpsFixed broadband, United States medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableCity tap water from the Mississippi is safe and well-regarded.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$150–300Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; cash for tips and some farmers' market stalls.Details
Where to stay in Minneapolis
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| North Loop | Restaurants, bars, riverside paths and warehouse lofts |
| Uptown / Lyn-Lake | Lakes, nightlife and cafés; walkable and bike-friendly |
| Downtown / Skyway | Hotels, theaters and sports; skyways link buildings in winter |
| Northeast (Nordeast) | Breweries, arts and local bars |
| Whittier / Eat Street | Diverse food, near the Minneapolis Institute of Art |
Apps that work in Minneapolis
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: iMessage/SMS
- Transit: real-time public transport in most cities
- OpenTable: restaurant reservations
- Taxis: Street hailing is rare; book rideshare in advance for the airport. Taxis exist but cost more.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in United States.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless accepted almost everywhere; cash for tips and some farmers' market stalls.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards about US$3–5; standalone ATMs in shops often more. Decline the ATM's currency conversion.
- Tipping: Expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, 15–20% for taxis and rideshare, US$1–2 per bar drink, US$2–5 per night for hotel housekeeping.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. Venmo, Cash App and Zelle generally need a US bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Visa Waiver travellers need an approved ESTA (US$40) before departure; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, ideally 72+ hours ahead.
- CBP has proposed making five years of social-media identifiers mandatory on ESTA; check the form's current questions and answer truthfully.
- Presidential proclamations since June 2025 restrict entry for nationals of a growing list of countries; check travel.state.gov before booking.
Emergency numbers
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911
Plugs
Type A, B · 120 V, 60 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Prepaid SIMs at carrier stores, Walmart and Target, roughly US$25–50 for 30 days; no ID usually needed. A travel eSIM is easiest. eSIMs work for visitors.
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Going to Minneapolis solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.