pre-arrival information
COVID PROTOCOL – St. Olaf College strongly recommends that all members of the campus community remain up to date with COVID vaccines, per CDC guidance. For more information on college policy regarding COVID-19, please go to: https://wp.stolaf.edu/covid-19/
COMPUTERS IN THE LIBRARY – Scholars are encouraged to bring their own laptops as desktop computers are limited in Steensland Hall. Please note that the Library does not provide computer charger power adapters to scholars, so international travelers are advised to purchase this in their home country before arriving in the US.
ARRIVE TO ST. OLAF
Scholars who wish to fly to Minnesota will most likely arrive at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), located about an hour away from campus. For those who have not already made arrangements to travel from the airport to Northfield, the St. Olaf transportation page has important information, including the following list of options:
- Northfield Lines, Inc. is a bus service that offers daily transportation both to and from
Minneapolis and St. Paul. Tickets for the bus service can be booked on their website. When purchasing your ticket from the airport, select “St. Olaf Buntrock Commons” as your destination. Note that advance notice is required for airport transfer service. - First Choice Shuttle
- Local, Twin Cities and Airport service – Call 507-339-1651 or 866-444-9696.
- Local Shuttle: $9 one-way ride anywhere within Northfield/Dundas city limits – Call 507-645-4447. 30 minutes notification minimum required for pickup.
Transportation & Travel
Around Northfield
Northfield is an extremely cycling-friendly and walkable town. Additionally, there are two main bus services in Northfield that visitors will be able to access. These are:
- Hiawathaland Express – The Hiawathaland Express bus is a public, shortened route (compared to the Blue and Red Hiawathaland routes) that is free to ride with a St. Olaf ID. The Express bus is most commonly utilized to access shopping, dining, and the movie theater and runs Monday – Saturday, 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM and Sunday, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
- Hiawathaland Red and Blue Routes and Dial-A-Ride – Hiawathaland Transit is public transportation, providing daytime transportation services to locations within the city limits of Northfield. Hiawathaland Transit has established routes that service the majority of the city limits. Riders may get on the route at their own discretion. Please see map for route stop locations and times. Normal route service is free with a St. Olaf ID.A Dial-A-Ride bus is also available in Northfield. St. Olaf students can pick up Dial-A-Ride tokens from the Office of Student Activities for $1.25. To schedule a ride, call the dispatch center at (866)-623-7505 between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:15 PM Monday thru Friday or between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Saturday.
More information regarding transportation around Northfield can be found here.
To The Twin Cities
Minneapolis and St. Paul (the Twin Cities) are located a convenient 45 minutes away from Northfield. There are numerous transportation options available for those wishing to travel to the Twin Cities, including:
- Enterprise Car Rental – Scholars are able to rent a car for a designated amount of time. Please note requirements for international renters in the United States found here.
- Taxis and Car Services
- Northfield Metro Express – a daily transportation service from Northfield to the
Twin Cities that runs every day of the year. This bus line stops at a number of locations in the Twin Cities, including the airport, downtown Minneapolis, and Dinkytown. On most days, multiple busses are offered, allowing scholars to choose times which work best for their needs. One-way shuttle tickets are $15 ($25 if purchased within 48 hours) and must be purchased in advance through Northfield Lines.
In the Twin Cities
In the Twin Cities, scholars can use a number of modes of public transit to reach their final destination. Two light rail lines service the cities. The Blue Line running between the Mall of America in Bloomington and Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, with stops at the airport and in Midtown. The Green Line connects downtown Minneapolis with downtown St. Paul, with stops at the University of Minnesota and the Capitol. Tickets for the light rail lines can also be used to transfer to city bus services operated by Metro Transit. Dozens of bus lines connect most parts of the Twin Cities.
Additionally, a commuter rail service connects Target Field in downtown Minneapolis with the northern suburbs. Recently, the Twin Cities began a bike-sharing program by the name of Nice Ride which can be used to easily rent bicycles while in the city between the months of April and November. More information about public transportation in the Twin Cities can be found at the Metro Transit and Nice Ride websites.
The Twin Cities also uses Uber and Lyft around Minneapolis and St. Paul. These services can be easily used by downloading the apps on your smartphone.
Emergency Numbers and Addresses
In case of emergency, call 911.
The Northfield Hospital is about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from St. Olaf College. In the case of an emergency, the emergency room is open 24/7. The Northfield Hospital’s address is: 2000 North Ave, Northfield, MN 55057.
In a non-medical emergency, other local options where scholars may seek medical care include:
- Allina Health Northfield Clinic; 1400 Jefferson Rd, Northfield, MN 55057; +1 507-663-9000
- Northfield Clinic; 2000 North Avenue, Northfield, Minnesota 55057; +1 507-646-1494
Please note that neither the Hong Kierkegaard Library nor St. Olaf College provide health insurance to library scholars and visitors, so seeking medical care – particularly in the Northfield Hospital Emergency Room – can get rather expensive for international travelers.