- FROM YOUR COUNTRY TO THE U.S.: Use a travel agent in your country. Bus and plane schedules, and fares, change almost daily. Use your local travel agent for more specific plans and discount fares.
- ONCE YOU ARE IN THE U.S.:
- Travel counselors with your sponsoring international exchange organization may be able to assist you in finding the best fares and routes once you arrive or attend orientation.
- BUS IS THE CHEAPEST, but the longest journey (37 - 40 hours, New York to Grand Marais). Bus fares can be a few dollars lower on weekdays. If you fly, travel Tuesdays or Wednesdays for the lowest fares.
- WATCH OUT FOR U.S. HOLIDAYS: Traveling over a U.S. holiday weekend can be difficult. If possible, try to travel well before or after a holiday or on the specific holiday itself, like Memorial Day, 4th of July, Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Day. Fares will be higher; there may not be discounts available; and it can be hard to find a place to stay.
- IMPORTANT: BUS is the primary way to travel between Duluth and Grand Marais and ONLY GOES between Duluth and Grand Marais 3 days/week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. PLAN AHEAD so you can catch the RIGHT BUS, AT THE RIGHT TIME to minimize staying overnight in Minneapolis or Duluth.If work schedules allow, Managers may be able to pick you up in Duluth with advance notice
- SCHEDULES, FARES AND ROUTES CAN CHANGE! Be sure to check again close to your departure date for any possible changes in times, route numbers and revised fares.
- LET US KNOW WHEN YOU WILL ARRIVE IN GRAND MARAIS: Once you arrive in the U.S., and complete your orientation with your international sponsor, you will have a better idea of your travel time to Grand Marais. So we can have your staff housing ready, and arrange to have staff meet you at the bus stop in Grand Marais on the CORRECT DAY, please call us on our Toll Free Number: 1-800-247-6020. From the voicemail menu select: 1. "The Shoreline," ask for Rich or Jayne Franta, property manager... or.... 2. You may also select "Aspen Lodge," and ask for Mark Sandbo. Please try to call during normal business hours, 8 AM to 5 or 6 PM. If work schedules allow, Managers may be able to pick you up in Duluth with advance notice
ROUTES:
TRAIN (Amtrak: Go to www.amtrak.com for fares and schedules)
Station is in Minneapolis-St. Paul. You will then have to take the bus from there to Grand Marais. Greyhound Bus picks up at Amtrak.
BUS: For latest bus departures, routes and fares, check the web page www.greyhound.com
- East Coast through Chicago to Duluth - then Duluth to Grand Marais. (Least expensive, less time, 2 transfers)
- East Coast to Minneapolis, MN - Minneapolis to Duluth, MN - Duluth to Grand Marais. (About $20 higher in cost, usually longer trip, 2-4 transfers)
- San Francisco (West Coast) to Duluth
1a. BUS: NEW YORK TO DULUTH: (Call Greyhound Bus 1-800-231-2222 or www.greyhound.com) One way fare approximately: $79 (7 day advance) to $149.
Travel counselors at your orientation will help you with arrangements and the most economical fare.
Main bus station in New York: Greyhound Terminal - "Port Authority," 625 8th Avenue. (Phone: 212-971-6300)
For taxicab instructions, tell the cab driver... "nearest cross streets: 41st and 42nd streets"
IMPORTANT: To make the best connections to Grand Marais, try to plan your trip so you ARRIVE IN DULUTH on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday AND on either of the first 3 bus routes shown. You can then catch the mid-day bus to Grand Marais the same day.
(Schedules below: D = day, H =hours, M = minutes)
#1601 Depart 11:45 PM Arrival Duluth 7:15 AM (1d, 8h, 30m) (Fastest, leaves time on arrival to get your Social Security Card (Mon - Fri), and still get back to the bus station to catch the 1:30 PM bus to Grand Marais)
#0246 Depart 5:40 AM Arrival Duluth 2:15 PM (1d, 9h, 35m)
1b. BUS: CHICAGO TO DULUTH (Chicago Bus Station: 630 W. Harrison St., Chicago Phone: 312-408-5800) One way $81 or $59 (7 day advance purchase)
#5814 Depart 4:45 PM Arrival Duluth 7:15 AM (14h, 30m) (Leaves time to get Social Security card)
#5611 Depart 10:30 PM Arrival Duluth 10:10 AM (11h, 40m) (You must hurry to get your Social Security Card)
#5601 Depart 12:30 AM Arrival Duluth 2:15 PM (13h, 45m)
2. BUS: MINNEAPOLIS TO DULUTH: Minneapolis Greyhound Bus Terminal: 950 Hawthorne Ave, Phone: (612) 371-3325. One way fare $27.00
Take this bus to connect the same day to the ONLY bus from Duluth to Grand Marais.
#5900 Depart 7:30 AM Arrival Duluth 10:10 AM (2h, 40m)
#5914 Depart 2:20 PM Arrival Duluth 5:00PM (2h, 40m) (You will have to stay overnight in Duluth and catch the bus to Grand Marais on a Mon., Wed., or Fri.)
3. BUS: SAN FRANCISCO to DULUTH: San Francisco Bus Station: 425 mission, San Francisco, CA Phone 415-495-1569 one way $182 or $109 (7 day advance purchase)
4. BUS: DULUTH TO GRAND MARAIS: (Bus line = H.T. Leasing Ltd. Leaves from the Greyhound Bus Station in West Duluth, Phone: 218/722-5591). One way fare $70, round trip $100
Bus leaves Monday, Wednesday and Fridays ONLY. One bus a day.
Leave 1:30 PM Arrive Grand Marais 4:15 PM (2h 45 am)
AIR: (Most expensive choice. You local sponsoring organization should be able to help you with air tickets). From wherever you enter the U.S., fly to either Minneapolis or Duluth, Minnesota. However, the short flight between Minneapolis and Duluth is often very expensive. To save, fly just to Minneapolis, then take the bus to Duluth, and on to Grand Marais. See previous bus information for details.
The major airline servicing Minneapolis is Northwest, but other airlines also provide flights. Call the airlines or your travel agent for details.
- Charter flights often have the lowest airfares.
- Other airlines serve Minneapolis, but are not direct, and connect through other cities: (American, America West, Delta, TWA and Continental.)
- Connecting through another city such as Chicago, can be cheaper.
Comments from past students:
1. Some students have purchased a one way ticket to get to the U.S., then purchased the return one way ticket once they were here. They found the return trip was at a much cheaper fare because it was originating in the U.S.
2. Other students have purchased round trip tickets with an open return date. However, when you purchase this type of ticket it shows a return date of 11 months from now because the airline computers can't book past 11 months. Usually this type of ticket allows you to change the return date once, usually without a fee. After you're here for a few months, you can then call to change the return date as long as it's within 11 months from the time you call.
The Minneapolis Airport and where to make bus connections:
Overwhelmed in this large airport? There is an INFORMATION CENTER where helpful airport staff will be glad to answer questions and direct you to taxis or bus routes. If you are catching the bus to Duluth: Go to the ground floor of the Minneapolis airport. Look for
"Jefferson Lines." Here you can buy a Greyhound Bus ticket from Minneapolis to Duluth, if it is not too late at night. They can direct you to the Greyhound Station. Shuttle from airport to bus station $3-4. Or take local bus #7 from the airport to the downtown Greyhound Bus Terminal.
IF YOU HAVE TO STAY OVERNIGHT IN EITHER MINNEAPOLIS OR DULUTH
1. MINNEAPOLIS
Least expensive. Closer to the downtown bus station. Minneapolis International Hostel (youth hostel) See details at the end.
Near the airport
Staying near the airport would put you close to the Mall of America for something to do if you have to wait a day to catch the bus to Duluth and The North Shore. You can expect higher quality accommodations, and your room will be more expensive. The choice is yours. Here are some national franchises near the airport.
Comfort Inn-Airport 952-854-3400
National Toll Free Reservations 1-800-228-5150
Super 8 Motel - Bloomington-Airport 952-888-8800
National Toll Free Reservations: 1-800-800-8000
Ramada Inn Thunderbird Hotel & Convention Center
952-854-3411 or 1-800-328-1931
National Toll Free Reservations: 1-800-528-1234
2. DULUTH
Closest to the bus station:
Motel 6 - Duluth, 200 27th Ave. West
Phone: 218-723-1123. Rates range between $35 - $45 + tax for 1.
(Plus $6.00 + tax, for each extra person.) Take a taxi from the airport or bus station.
Super 8 Motel - Duluth, 4100 W. Superior St.
Phone: 218-628-2241 (no need to dial the city code 218 if you are in Duluth)
Rates Vary. Mention you will be working for Grand Marais Hotel Co. (we own the Grand Marais Super 8) and they might give you a discount. Not guaranteed. Depends on their season.
Closest to the airport:
Just a short taxi ride from the Duluth Airport: You can also walk to the Miller Hill Mall area. EconoLodge, 4197 Haines Rd., Phone: 218-722-5522 or toll free 1-800-922-0569. Rates vary.
Cheapest:
Skyline Court Motel, 4880 Miller Trunk Highway, 2 miles north of Miller Hill Mall. Phone: 1-800-554-0621 or 218-727-1563
GETTING YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY CARD:
1. You must apply for your American Social Security Card where you enter the country, in Minneapolis or Duluth. It is NOT possible to get a card in Grand Marais.
2. You can apply while in Duluth waiting for the Grand Marais Bus. Ask at your motel or the bus station for help in getting to the Social Security Office. You will probably have to take a taxi, as the office is in downtown Duluth.
3. Duluth Social Security Office: 130 W. Superior St., First Bank Building #400, Phone: 218-727-1193
4. Minneapolis Social Security Offices:1811 Chicago Ave. (Downtown office), 8800 West Highway7, or 3320 County Road, Brooklyn Center
Government offices will open Monday - Friday, 8AM - 4 PM. Not on weekends or holidays.
WHERE TO STAY IN MINNEAPOLIS: Youth Hostel 03/14/05
Looking for an inexpensive place to stay in Minneapolis? A large city hotel or motel can be more expensive, and it can also be difficult to find a vacancy. The University of Minneapolis Housing Department and our students who have stayed there, recommend this hostel for an economic alternative.
Whether you have to stop over in Minneapolis before taking the bus the next day to Duluth, or Grand Marais, or if staff want inexpensive lodging while "super-shopping" at the Mall of America, this is a great, low-cost choice. Past students who have stayed here describe it as clean, tidy and a good atmosphere. The couple who operate the business are very, very friendly. They describe it as a comfortable "old mansion" in a safe, clean neighborhood, across the street from the Minneapolis Art Institute.
Hostel name: "Minneapolis International Hostel"
Address: 2400 Stevens Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN
Phone: 1- 888-250-3315 or 612-522-5000 (If you are calling within Minneapolis, you will not need to dial "612")
email: info@minneapolishostel.com or www.minneapolishostel.com
Getting there: Taxi ride from the airport to the hostel is around $15-$25 depending on the cab and traffic, and $5.00 from the downtown Greyhound bus Station. Get change in $1.00 bills so you can tip drivers. They will expect a tip normally around $1 - $3 depending on the journey's length. (15% of the total is a common percentage for tipping or service in restaurants in the U.S.).
GENERAL LOCATION: Beware many cab drivers speak bad English, and will pretend to not know where any place is. Tell the driver the hostel is across the street from the Minneapolis Institute of Art; as it is a more recognized landmark. The hostel is also approximately 2 miles from the main, downtown Greyhound Bus Station.
Advance reservations recommended: If possible, please call or email at least one day in advance for a reservation. You may use the toll free 800 number from anywhere in the U.S.
Reservations and check-in: Check in after 1:00PM and check out by 11:00AM.
When you arrive in Minneapolis: If you have not already made an advance reservation, please CALL IMMEDIATELY from either the airport or bus station so they know when to expect you. You can discuss the type of room you would prefer, and they can help suggest transportation from the airport or bus station to the hostel.
Travel from the hostel to other places in Minneapolis (costs are approximate):
$1.00 city bus fare to the Greyhound Bus Station (where you will catch the bus to Duluth)
$1.50 Express bus fare from the airport to "Mall of America; " $2 - 4 from the center of town.
$3.00/day bike rental
Accommodations: Kitchen for doing your own cooking, living room area for relaxing, and watching TV.
Dormitory rooms (includes sheets, blankets & towels)
Private room $29-$49, shared room $19 - $24
Past students suggest a private room, but if traveling in a group, a dorm room will be just fine.
Places to go-Things to do: The staff are accustomed to questions, and will be glad to help you get around town!
Without a doubt - See the Mall of America. Perhaps fairly expensive, but a wonderful place to experience!
Eating suggestions: There is a McDonalds close by and a "pizza by the slice" place about 2 blocks away.
General advice - Purchases are usually taxed, and will be higher than marked.
Remember this is a big city, so be careful, don't flaunt your possessions or money. Try not to look too much like a tourist, if you can. Just be sensible, alert and everything will be fine, as most people are very friendly.
PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY: