Amtrak Service To Milwaukee Airport: What You Need To Know

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is known for its breweries, beaches, and museums. The city is easily accessible by train, with 14 trains running daily between Chicago and Milwaukee, and 12 on Sundays. The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is served by 14 trains daily (Monday to Saturday) and 12 on Sundays. The Amtrak Hiawatha Line and Milwaukee Area Rail Station (MARS) also provide access to the city. One of the few Amtrak stations that offer direct access to an airport is the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station, which is located at General Mitchell International Airport. The station, which opened in 2005, won an urban design award for its Prairie-style architecture and features a waiting room, restrooms, and a seating area. A free shuttle bus connects the train station to the airport, making it convenient for passengers travelling by rail and air.

The Amtrak station at Milwaukee Airport

The station opened in 2005 and is marked by its modern brick and glass design. It features a 1,600 square foot heated facility that includes restrooms and a seating area. Covered walkways lead to the drop-off area and the boarding platform. The station also offers parking options, with Amtrak station parking located on 6th Street, just south of Grange Avenue and the Airport Spur. The parking fees are $2 for each of the first two hours, with a maximum daily rate of $11 per 24-hour period.

The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station serves both rail passengers connecting to flights and those utilising Amtrak's Hiawatha service. The Hiawatha line provides service between downtown Milwaukee's Intermodal Station and Chicago's Union Station, with stops at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and Glenview, Illinois. Additionally, the Amtrak Borealis line connects Chicago's Union Station and St. Paul's Union Depot, with a stop at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport among others.

Amtrak Hiawatha Line

The Amtrak Hiawatha Line provides a service between downtown Milwaukee's Intermodal Station and Chicago's Union Station. It is an 86-mile (138 km) train route with intermediate stops at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and Glenview, Illinois. The Hiawatha Line is one of the only services in the Amtrak system that offers access to an airport.

The Hiawatha Line is a busy route, carrying 636,854 passengers in the 2023 fiscal year—a 26.9% increase from 2022. It is Amtrak's sixth-busiest route and the railroad's busiest line in the Midwest. The route is supported by funding from the state governments of Wisconsin and Illinois.

The Hiawatha Line offers seven round trips daily, with six on Sundays. The trip between Milwaukee and Chicago takes about 90 minutes, with a one-way trip costing $41. The line offers Business and Coach fares, with discounts for children, students, seniors, veterans, and military personnel. The Hiawatha Line also offers monthly passes for frequent riders, providing significant savings compared to the 10-pass option.

The Hiawatha Line has a long history, with the first Hiawatha trains running in 1935. By 1948, five routes carried the Hiawatha name, including the Chicago–Milwaukee–Minneapolis service, which was later renamed the Twin Cities Hiawatha and then the North Coast Hiawatha before ending in 1979. The Hiawatha Line was temporarily replaced by bus service during the COVID-19 pandemic, with full service resuming in May 2021.

In addition to the Hiawatha Line, Amtrak also offers the Borealis line, which provides service between Chicago's Union Station and St. Paul's Union Depot, with a stop at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

Amtrak Borealis Line

The Amtrak Borealis Line is an intercity rail service that operates daily between Chicago, Illinois, and St. Paul, Minnesota, via Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The service began on May 21, 2024, and is a partnership with the Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota Departments of Transportation, with funding assistance from the Federal Railroad Administration. The Borealis Line provides an additional daily round trip, supplementing the long-distance Empire Builder service, which serves the same stations but with higher reliability and complementary departure times.

The Borealis Line offers 13 stops along its route, including Sturtevant, Wisconsin, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, and downtown Milwaukee's Intermodal Station. The train journey takes approximately 7 hours and 24 minutes in each direction, with a five-minute stop in Milwaukee. The Borealis Line traverses through picturesque landscapes, rolling hills, and towering limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.

The Borealis Line provides convenient travel times with late-morning departures and early-evening arrivals in both St. Paul and Chicago. The service offers increased flexibility and better on-time performance for both passenger and freight trains. The Borealis Line is an extension of the existing Chicago–Milwaukee Hiawatha train, doubling the Amtrak service frequency between Milwaukee and St. Paul.

The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station, located along the western edge of the General Mitchell International Airport, offers a seamless connection for rail passengers. A free shuttle bus service is provided for easy connections to the airport, with pick-up points at the Train Station's main entrance and outside Baggage Claim Door 4. The rail station features a heated facility with restrooms and a seating area, ensuring a comfortable experience for travellers.

Amtrak Guest Rewards

Amtrak services Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport, with a station located along the airport's western edge. The station opened in 2005 and is one of the few in the Amtrak system that offers access to an airport. A free shuttle bus provides easy connections for rail passengers to the airport.

There are multiple ways to earn and redeem points within the program. For example, members can earn points by taking the train, through partner retailers, or by using co-branded credit cards. Points can be redeemed for Amtrak train tickets, with reward travel starting at just 400 points.

In addition to reward travel, members can also use their points to upgrade their travel experience with benefits such as lounge access, companion coupons, and priority call handling. The program also offers three elite status tiers, providing opportunities to earn bonus points, upgrades, and lounge access.

Overall, Amtrak Guest Rewards offers a range of benefits and rewards for frequent Amtrak travellers, making it a valuable program for those looking to maximize their train travel experiences.

Amtrak parking

The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station is located at 5601 S. 6th Street, along the western edge of the airport. The Amtrak station parking lot can be found on 6th Street, just south of Grange Avenue and the Airport Spur. The station is open from 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 7:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The parking facility at the station is fully automated, with parking fees set at $2 for each of the first two hours (or part thereof), with a maximum of $11 per 24-hour period. The exit gate accepts both cash and credit cards.

For those looking to save time and money, Amtrak offers a pre-purchase guaranteed parking option at select stations across the country. This allows travellers to compare multiple options and save up to 50% on parking fees. The parking pass is instantly emailed upon purchase and can be redeemed via printout or mobile app.

It is important to note that the stations are generally not owned by Amtrak, so parking policies may vary. It is recommended to check the specific station's information on the Amtrak website or contact the relevant local authorities for detailed parking rules and regulations.

Frequently asked questions