We went with a group on the railway. There are air conditioned cars and if it is a hot day you will…read moreneed it. Beverages and light snacks are served on board. The rear car was in the family of James J. Hill. Make sure you view it. It has been refurbished but there is a schematic of the original layout. The view is mostly just trees. I am sure it is very pretty in the fall when the colors change.

We had so much fun! My husband and I packed a picnic and ate it in the train. We will be back. It…read morewas fun and relaxing. The only downside was the air conditioning was not working and it was one of the hottest days of the summer. The staff and volunteers were all so nice and helpful!

Loved!! This experience is all what you make of it. My husband gifted my family this train ride as…read moreour Christmas gift and none of us have kids. Is this geared more towards kids? Absolutely. Did we still purchase first class seats and have a blast? Absolutely. Do you have to pretend you're going to the North Pole? Another absolutely. This event sells out every year. From arrival, the Union Depot was popping with festive decor, a few kiosks selling varying gifts, there was a permanent gift shop with cute travel items for Amtrak or air, along with 1881 Eating House, Choo Choo Bob's Train Store, an independent book store and even a bike repair shop which had a hidden coffee shop inside. There was lots of seating and I'm so proud that the space is getting leveraged. The entire depot reminded me of London. Tickets were clearly labeled and once you signed in, tickets were given along with boarding instructions. With first class, we had bigger seats, hot cocoa and gift bags at the end of the trip. Throughout the entire ride we had entertainment galore. First was a little introduction on train whistles and safety followed by a juggling elf (she was seriously so awesome), then a ukulele musician, a snow fairy who had the best entertainment from rapping to granting wishes, and then of course Santa. Kids (and adults) are given 1 letter to write to Santa so that when he visits the cars, he can collect them. My family kept ours and will be mailing it to our grandpa who was slated to come on this trip but couldn't. The ride is not far at all and the train moves slow. There are varying stopping points and so much exterior entertainment from elves dancing to the grinch stealing gifts to a little dog that would pop up and down the windows via a puppeteer. Thank you to the volunteer staff of 261 who rely on this particular event (largest fundraiser) to preserve the vintage railroad cars. For being a volunteer effort, every part of this experience ran smoothly allowing for this to be a core memory for years to come. The staff was welcoming and friendly and would answer any questions passengers had. The experience lasts roughly an hour, yet there is so much to explore in downtown Saint Paul once completed. My group did all the interior shops listed above and ate a late lunch at 1881 Eating House. The European Christmas Market was also going on outside (we didn't take advantage due to the cold temperature). 10/10 recommend the North Pole Express!

The North Pole Express is a Chrismas themed train ride at the Union Depot that transports you to…read morethe Northpole under magical circumstances. Those circumstances are you using your imagination and the train only goes 100 ft down the tracks. Right off the bat, if you don't have children old enough to interact with this experience it is not worth your time and money. Experience: To get to the train you have to first go inside the Union Depot to a ticket booth to get your train tickets. Nothing fancy or anything about it, you just walk up, show your QR code and you are on your way. After that you got to the boarding dock and get on the car that is colored coated to your class. Once on board you are welcomed by a friendly usher that helps transport you to the magic of the express. She pointed to where we could sit and once we picked a seat we really enjoyed the lights, garland, and christmas music playing. Also the woman in our car was very friendly, funny, and played more adult with us cause we brought an 8 month old and she didn't know what was going on anyways. She was by far the best part of the experience. Now, here is where the train started to lose its magic. We heard the whistle blow and we thought we were off to the races to go to some far off land! Little did we know is that far off land is less than a minute away down the tracks. The train stops abruptly and our usher points out the window at some inflatables and shipping containers painted to look like houses. We asked if this was it and she said yes, but it goes back and forth about 4 times. We were disappointed but they did try to make it a good time. Everything the trained moved back and forth a magical guest would come into our car. A snow fairy, a conductor that plays train music, a juggling elf, a singing elf, and then Santa himself. You can tell they were trying their hardest to make it enjoyable and some of the guest were far better than the others. The snow fairy in particular was very enjoyable and fun to talk to. In the meantime of guests coming into your car stuff happens outside at Santa's workshop as well. Mainly the Grinch stealing presents and stuff which was actually kind of funny to watch. Otherthan than that there really wasn't that much else going on. Overall: This a a fun family experience to get your kids ready for the holidays. You get to go on a "train ride", meet some elves, make a wish list, and visit Santa all in one go. The downsides are for the adults on the train. There's nothing to do, not much to look at, and everything is pretty kid safe that it makes your mind go numb. We will probably do this again as our child gets older, but again, if you don't have kids you should probably skip this experience all together.

This is a handy stop to cross the river to reach the East Bank of the U of M campus. It's also a…read moreshort way to the downtown area and is probably the better choice than waiting for a bus in the Cedar Riverside area. The Green Line trains may be getting better but the last ride I had I found myself standing in dried urine, and I'm sure it was urine for reasons I won't go into. This is a typical situation the last few years. Most of the riders are decent citizens who just want to get from point A to point B. If someone is troublesome it's best not to stare. If you are feeling really uncomfortable exit on the next stop and take another train, or if you are speedy enough you can hop on the next car. I keep seeing media reports of civilian helpers andmetro transit police on the trains, platforms and bus lines, but I haven't seen anyone official since the program started. To place in context, I'm not a daily rider, just occasionally.

This stop can be dirty at most time. I recommend that you watch your surroundings around here. It…read moreis on the U of M campus but does share this with the general population. During the day I feel safe, but not so much at night. Stay in the lit areas, watch your surroundings and keep alert and you will be fine. If you feel unsafe just walk down a bit or walk to the other side. People usually get the hint and leave you alone. If you travel to the U of M you probably can't avoid this stop. Being aware of your surroundings is always a good thing at any transit stop.

Nice, clean buses that make my commute much more pleasurable. Staff are consistently professional…read moreand friendly. I ride this route 3+ times per week from Eden Prairie to downtown Minneapolis and work en route (thanks, free wifi!). The peace of mind of not having to drive and find parking more than makes up for the little I have to pay for the ride.

Excellent service, well-maintained, buses, and very conveniently located are the key reasons you…read moreshould ride with Southwest Transit! my wife and I took West to the Vikings game on September 15, 2024 and we're very impressed! Highly recommend you give them a try! Also, our bus driver for bus #847 was excellent!

Street level station, south of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. Right near a couple of the airport…read morehotels, this is very convenient if you're looking to save a few bucks to have a cheaper hotel and still be within striking distance, so to speak, of downtown. There are ticket vending machines on each platform and an overhead monitor to let you know when the next train is coming. It is on the Hiawatha Line, between the Airport station and the Bloomington Central station.

Five Stars for Going in the Right Direction: A Review of Metro Transit…read more Metro Transit, the public transportation system serving the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, deserves a solid five-star rating--not just for reliability and reach, but for its meaningful progress over the years. As someone who began riding the bus regularly in middle school, I've had a front-row seat to the evolution of this system, and I can confidently say it's heading in the right direction. When I first started using Metro Transit, the experience was undeniably hit-or-miss. While the routes were functional, issues like infrequent service, aging buses, and occasional safety concerns made it more of a necessity than a comfort. Over the years, however, I've watched the system mature into something far more dependable, user-friendly, and community-oriented. One of the most noticeable improvements since the post-pandemic recovery has been the enhanced sense of safety. In the past, riding during off-peak hours could feel risky--altercations, loitering, or suspicious activity weren't uncommon. But recently, that's changed dramatically. There's now a consistent police and transit security presence, and it's become routine to see uniformed officers on buses, at stops, and in transit centers. This isn't about over-policing; it's about creating a safer environment for riders of all backgrounds. The visible security presence acts as both a deterrent and a reassurance, making the experience more comfortable, especially for vulnerable populations like students, seniors, and late-night commuters. Beyond safety, Metro Transit stands out for its impressive coverage. Unlike many regional systems that primarily serve downtown cores, Metro Transit extends its reach deep into the suburbs. Whether you're commuting from Apple Valley, Eagan, Plymouth, or even farther out, there are reliable bus routes--or bus rapid transit options like the METRO lines--that connect seamlessly to downtown Minneapolis or Saint Paul. This kind of accessibility is rare in American public transit and reflects a genuine commitment to inclusivity and regional integration. The fleet itself has modernized, too. With newer, low-emission buses, better real-time tracking via apps, and expanded routes like the METRO Orange and planned Gold Lines, the system feels increasingly forward-thinking. Fare payment methods have also improved, with the option to use mobile apps or contactless cards--small but meaningful upgrades that streamline the rider experience. Of course, there's always room for growth--increased frequency during off-peak hours, expanded weekend service, and further integration with surrounding suburbs would make the system even stronger. But compared to many other U.S. cities, Metro Transit is ahead of the curve. In conclusion, Metro Transit has transformed from a basic necessity into a model of what regional public transportation can and should be. It's safe, expansive, evolving, and increasingly reliable. For a system that serves such a diverse and geographically spread population, it's an achievement worth recognizing. Five stars well earned--for going in the right direction, and for getting more of us there safely and efficiently.

I pray for those who rely on Metro transit to get to where they need to be. I am thankful enough to…read morebe able to drive after almost 3 years relying on public transit. I can write a book on the things I saw and experienced riding the light rail and buses. Starting with the light rail, the trains are usually crowded and stuffed. There could be a smell of urine, weed, or BO. They dont clean these trains. The security is a joke. Fights and other commotion is a daily occurence on the light rail. Especially the green line. The buses is no different. Especially that C or D line. Shady homeless people at the bus or train stations who will harass u maybe even assault you. Those trains are portable homeless shelters. Ive seen women get harassed on these buses and trains. Bus drivers be having an attitude. Sometimes the buses dont even come on schedule and arrive late. You gambling with your job relying on these buses. Minnesota has the worst transit system in the country. Be careful if you rely on public transit in this state

Not to be confused with Music Video Tits & Ass, which is way more prevalent than these buses, these…read moredays. Although I don't think they film too many of those in the Mini Apples, because the models would freeze to death, as would the shirtless or scantily clad rappers. From not being covered in enough wrappers, you might say. This is one of the few bus services that I actually relied on once in my life because I was stupid enough to come to Minneapolis without a car a very long time ago - so I take the bus at about lunch time up to the village of Hilltop and back and then a couple other buses to other locations in the area over subsequent days. And I like it because I'm a kid and it's exciting. But yeah. It wasn't great. They're not awful and they're not great. Nowhere near as nice as the buses in England though. They are a bit neglected, and I guess when buses have to run to through this much incredible snow and Siberian temperatures then you're glad that they just exist and and they don't break down.

horrible experience!!! I waited at the airport for them and instead of picking anyone up, they…read moredrove by without stopping!! If you plan on using a shuttle or transit from the airport, do NOT use MVTA!!! I called the customer service department and they said I could either catch a light rail and maybe make the bus at Mall of America, or wait another 2 hours for the bus to come back to the airport. Unprofessional, Inconsiderate, and bad at their jobs is how I would describe the people that work at this company.