Hiawatha Service: Chicago Airport Connection Explored

The Hiawatha, also known as the Hiawatha Service, is a train route operated by Amtrak that runs between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The route covers 86 miles (138 km) in about 90 minutes and makes stops at key locations such as General Mitchell International Airport, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and Glenview, Illinois. The Hiawatha train offers a comfortable and convenient travel experience with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, coach class and business class seating options, and restrooms. The train also provides a Quiet Car for passengers seeking a peaceful environment. With frequent departures and scenic views along Lake Michigan, the Hiawatha train is a popular choice for travellers between Chicago and Milwaukee, including those connecting to Chicago airports.

The Hiawatha train route

The Hiawatha Service has a rich history, dating back to the 1930s when the trip between Chicago and Milwaukee was introduced as a 90-minute non-stop service. By 1948, the Hiawatha name was used on five routes: Chicago–Minneapolis; Chicago–Omaha; Chicago–Wausau–Minocqua; Chicago–Ontanogan; and Chicago-Minneapolis-Seattle. These trains were among the fastest in the world during the 1930s and 1940s, often exceeding their self-imposed speed limit of 100 miles per hour (161 km/h).

In the following decades, the Hiawatha route underwent several changes. In 1971, when Amtrak assumed control of intercity passenger rail service in the US, the Hiawatha name was retained for two routes: the Chicago–Milwaukee–Minneapolis service (later renamed the North Coast Hiawatha) and the Chicago–Milwaukee corridor train, known as the Hiawatha Service. The North Coast Hiawatha was extended to Seattle and ended in 1979. The Hiawatha Service introduced Turboliners in 1976, and the name temporarily disappeared from timetables until it returned in 1989.

Today, the Hiawatha Service continues to provide convenient and efficient transportation between Chicago and Milwaukee, with connections to over 500 destinations across North America. The route is popular among travellers for its quick travel time, comfortable amenities, and easy access to airports and city centres.

Hiawatha's history

The Hiawatha Service is an 86-mile (138 km) train route operated by Amtrak between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The first Hiawatha trains ran in 1935, and by 1948, five routes bore the Hiawatha name, including Chicago–Minneapolis, Chicago–Omaha, and Chicago–Wausau–Minocqua. The Hiawatha trains were among the world's fastest in the 1930s and 1940s, with locomotive engineers routinely exceeding the self-imposed speed limit of 100 mph (161 km/h).

Under Amtrak control, which began in 1971, the Hiawatha name was retained for two routes: the Chicago–Milwaukee–Minneapolis service (later renamed the Twin Cities Hiawatha and extended to Seattle) and the Chicago–Milwaukee corridor train, known as the Hiawatha Service. The former service ended in 1979, while the latter was introduced to the Turboliner route in 1976, with the name Hiawatha Service disappearing from the timetable until its return in 1989.

Today, the Hiawatha Service offers 12 to 14 trains (six or seven round trips, five on Sundays) daily between Chicago and Milwaukee, with intermediate stops in Glenview, Illinois; Sturtevant, Wisconsin; and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The route is popular with baseball fans attending games, with trains often filled to capacity. The Hiawatha Service is Amtrak's sixth-busiest route and the railroad's busiest in the Midwest, carrying 636,854 passengers in fiscal year 2023.

The name Hiawatha also has a separate origin, referring to a precolonial Native American leader and co-founder of the Iroquois Confederacy. Hiawatha was a leader of the Onondaga and/or Mohawk people, and his story is told in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1855 poem, "Song of Hiawatha." In the legend, Hiawatha is a wild cannibal who encounters Dekanawidah, the Great Peacemaker. Hiawatha accepts the Great Law of Peace from Dekanawidah and works to spread it among his people.

Hiawatha's schedule

The Hiawatha Service, operated by Amtrak, is a train route connecting Chicago, Illinois, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The service has been in operation since 1935 and is one of Amtrak's busiest routes, carrying over 636,854 passengers in fiscal year 2023.

The Hiawatha train typically offers twelve to fourteen trains (six to seven round trips) daily between Chicago and Milwaukee, with five round trips on Sundays. The train makes intermediate stops in Glenview, Illinois; Sturtevant, Wisconsin; and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. A one-way trip between these two cities typically takes around 90 minutes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hiawatha service was significantly reduced. On March 19, 2020, the service was decreased to four daily round trips, and then to a single round trip the following day. This single round trip was eventually suspended on April 24, 2020, and replaced with an Amtrak Thruway bus service. The Hiawatha train service resumed on June 1, 2020, with a single round trip, and additional trips were gradually reintroduced.

The Hiawatha schedule and ticket prices may vary, with tickets priced between $19 and $37 based on demand and advance purchase. Monthly passes between Chicago and Milwaukee are also available for $650, and a 10-ride ticket is offered at a maximum price of $230.

The Hiawatha Service provides easy connections to other destinations across North America and access to Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport. It is known for its charm, offering travellers a glimpse of the grandeur of Grant Park's Buckingham Fountain, iconic museums, skyscrapers, and the famous Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

Hiawatha's amenities

The Hiawatha is an 86-mile (138 km) train route operated by Amtrak that runs between Chicago, Illinois, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Hiawatha Service also connects to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.

The Hiawatha Service offers a range of amenities for passengers:

• Free Wi-Fi: Passengers can stay connected and productive during their journey with complimentary internet access.
• Comfortable Seating: The trains feature comfortable seats, providing a pleasant journey for passengers travelling between cities.
• Intermediate Stops: The route includes stops in Glenview, Illinois, and Sturtevant, Wisconsin, allowing passengers to board or disembark at convenient locations along the way.
• Convenience: With seven round trips a day (six on Sundays), the Hiawatha Service provides a convenient travel option for those travelling between downtown Milwaukee and Chicago or its northern suburbs.
• Accessibility: The Hiawatha Service is accessible to all passengers, offering an alternative to driving or flying between these destinations.
• Scenery: Passengers can enjoy the scenery along the route, taking in the views of the Midwest as they travel between Chicago and Milwaukee.
• Dining Options: Passengers can experience the local cuisine, including cheese curds and classic Chicago hot dogs, either on board or at their destination.
• Entertainment: The service provides entertainment options, such as exploring the funky neighbourhoods, iconic museums, and skyscrapers of Chicago, or discovering the breweries and art galleries of Milwaukee.
• Speed: The Hiawatha Service offers a relatively quick journey, with a one-way trip between Milwaukee and Chicago taking approximately 90 minutes.

Hiawatha's airport connections

The Hiawatha Service, operated by Amtrak, provides essential daily services between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois, with six round trips (five on Sundays). Covering 86 miles in about 90 minutes, the route includes stops at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Sturtevant, Wisconsin, and Glenview, Illinois.

The Hiawatha Service offers a convenient travel experience with frequent departures, short travel times, and scenic views along Lake Michigan. It is particularly popular with baseball fans due to its proximity to American Family Field and Wrigley Field. The train features a Quiet Car for passengers seeking a peaceful environment and provides free onboard Wi-Fi, restrooms, and comfortable reclining seats with ample legroom.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hiawatha Service was temporarily replaced by bus services, with partial train services resuming in June 2020 and full services returning in May 2021. The Hiawatha Service connects seamlessly with other Amtrak trains and buses, making it a top choice for travellers to and from Southeast Wisconsin and Glenview, Illinois.

For those travelling to or from Chicago, the Hiawatha Service offers easy connections to Chicago airports. Passengers can transfer to Midway Airport via the Orange Line or to O'Hare International Airport via the Blue Line. Additionally, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport features a dedicated Amtrak station (MKA) with a complimentary shuttle bus service, providing a smooth transition from train to plane.

Frequently asked questions