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Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport offers a seamless transition between air and rail travel. Whether traveling internationally or within the USA, this airport can be your gateway to the Amtrak train system. The airport’s Amtrak station connects you with Chicago, where you can access Amtrak’s long-distance and regional trains.

For northbound travelers to Milwaukee, the Empire Builder continues to the Twin Cities, and bus services extend to Green Bay and intermediate stops.

This guide provides essential information, including the latest train schedules, to ensure a smooth connection to your next train. We hope this helps you plan your journey effectively and enjoy a seamless transition from air to rail travel.

Milwaukee Airport Amtrak Station

This Prairie-style station is excellent for transferring between air and rail travel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Address and directions:

The station is at 5601 S. 6th Street, along the airport’s western edge.

To reach the station by car, use the Amtrak parking lot entrance on 6th Street, just south of Grange Avenue and the airport spur.

Key Features:

• Hours: The station is open seven days a week
  • Monday to Saturday, 5:45 am to 10 pm
  • Sunday, 7:15 am to 10 pm Sunday.
• Unstaffed Station: No staff members are available to assist. Onboard staff will help you get on the train.
• Facilities: Restrooms, payphones, vending machines, and an Amtrak ticketing kiosk
• Accessibility: Accessible platforms, restrooms, a waiting room, a water fountain, and a wheelchair lift.
• Parking: Same-day and overnight accessible parking is available for a fee.
• Additional Services: No WiFi or ATM services are available, and unaccompanied child travel is prohibited.

Airport Shuttle Bus Information

There is a FREE shuttle bus service between the airport and the train station.

Where to catch the shuttle

• At the Train Station: Passengers can catch the shuttle in front of the station. If the shuttle does not show up at an appropriate time, there is a posted number for you to call.
• At the Airport: The shuttle shares the same route as the parking shuttle. Look for signs indicating the pick-up/drop-off point outside Baggage Claim Door #5 at the Airport.

Updates To The Milwaukee Airport Station

Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MARS) Upgrade Project: The existing Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MARS) has a permanent platform on the east side serving Amtrak passengers. This setup can cause delays in Canadian Pacific (CP) freight operations and affect Amtrak’s schedule.

The project aims to improve freight and passenger operations, reduce train delays and travel times, enhance dispatching flexibility, and improve passenger safety and ADA accessibility. It also prepares the corridor for future passenger rail service expansion. Construction has begun and will extend until June 2025.

Buying Amtrak Tickets For The MKA Station

While you cannot purchase tickets at the airport stations, you have several options for purchasing Amtrak tickets.

It is always best to buy tickets as early as possible. Trains can sell out, and prices may change. If you want flexibility, pick the Flex Fare Option, which allows you to make changes with no change fee or get a full refund if canceled before departure.

You can purchase tickets at:

• Website or App: Use Amtrak’s website or mobile app.
• Phone: Call Amtrak at 1-800-USA-Rail.
• Ticket Machine: The airport station has a ticket kiosk where you can purchase or print out tickets.
• Staffed Stations: Purchase tickets at any staffed station.
• Travel Agents: Some agencies can help you book a trip.

If you have questions, Amtrak has more info about purchasing Amtrak tickets.

Avoid Mistakes: Understanding Amtrak Station Codes for Milwaukee

When booking an Amtrak ticket to or from Milwaukee, it’s easy to make a mistake—I’ve been there myself. To avoid any issues, it’s crucial to pay attention to the station codes listed below, so you know which code you need:

• MKA: This is the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station code, where you can catch the Hiawatha or Borealis trains.
• MKB: This code refers to the Amtrak bus stop at Milwaukee Airport, used for the I-41 connection bus service.
• MKE: This is the Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station code, where you can connect with long-distance trains and additional bus services.

Double-checking these codes when booking will help ensure a smooth and hassle-free trip.

Going Between Milwaukee Airport & Milwaukee Intermodal

Amtrak offers three transportation options between Milwaukee Airport and Milwaukee Intermodal Station: two trains and a bus without intermediate stops.

Trains

The Hiawatha and Borealis trains connect you to the Downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station, where you can catch the Empire Builder and various non-Amtrak bus services. There are seven daily trips in each direction between the two train lines, except on Sundays.

Bus Service

Amtrak’s Thruway Bus Service: This bus service extends Amtrak’s train routes, providing transportation between the airport and Fox Valley, with direct connections to Amtrak trains at the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. Check for signs, as pick-up locations may change.

From Milwaukee Airport to Chicago Union Station

The southbound Hiawatha and Borealis trains terminate at Chicago Union Station, which offers connections to many of Amtrak’s long-distance and regional trains. Chicago Union Station also provides several Metra and CTA bus connections and is within walking distance of many ‘L’ and subway lines.

The last available train from Milwaukee Airport Station connects with Amtrak long-distance trains.

Below are the long-distance trains you can connect to at Chicago Union Station via the Milwaukee Airport, except for the Empire Builder, which connects in Milwaukee. The recommended Hiawatha and Borealis times come from suggested schedules on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app.

Note that all three-digit trains are the Hiawathas. Those trains do not have cafe cars, but the ride is, on average, an hour and twenty minutes, so plan accordingly.

These are the times Amtrak suggested for leaving the MKA station for the above routes.

If you want to take the Empire Builder from Chicago instead of Milwaukee, you can do so. This trip will allow you to double back through parts of Wisconsin and Illinois. Buying tickets for this is tricky but straightforward; Amtrak does not automatically give you this option, so you must book it as a Multi-City ticket or as two separate one-way tickets. In this scenario, I recommend taking the 334 train at 11:10 am, so you have plenty of time to use the lounge if you are in a sleeper and don’t have to rush once you arrive. Additionally, it will give you some buffer time if the train is running late.

Luggage Handling

Amtrak and the airport will not transfer your bags between plane and train.

You must claim baggage at the airport and bring it onto the Hiawatha or Borealis trains, or vice versa. You must check your bags into the Amtrak system at least 45 minutes before departure. You can check your luggage in Chicago or Milwaukee to your final destination, providing that stop is a baggage service.

Sturtevant: A Cost-Effective Option For Those Flying In and Out Of Milwaukee

For those of us in Southeast Wisconsin or Northeast Illinois, this can be a cost-effective alternative to the hassle and cost of driving to the Milwaukee airport.

The Sturtevant Depot, located less than 3 miles from I-94, offers convenient parking at a flat rate for up to 30 days, making it an excellent choice for travelers. From Sturtevant, you can easily reach Chicago and connect to either airport.

I have often used this stop when flying out of Milwaukee or Chicago because parking is cheaper and more convenient, and I can avoid driving.

FAQs

Does my baggage transfer between trains and the airport?
No, you must self-transfer your baggage. The Hiawatha and Borealis do not offer checked bags.

Is the Amtrak station connected to the MKE terminal?
No, a free shuttle connects the station and terminal.

What trains service the Milwaukee Airport Station?

The Hiawatha and Borealis service this station, and between the two trains, there are seven trains in each direction, except on Sunday.

Airlines Serving Milwaukee Airport

You can fly into or out of the Milwaukee airport with the following airlines:

The list can change anytime; verify it with the official Milwaukee Mitchell Airport website.

If you need to fly to catch a train, I hope this article helps you and those flying out of the MKE airport consider the Sturtevant option.

Safe Travels!
Kev