Getting In, Getting Around Milwaukee

Milwaukee is served by Mitchell International Airport (MKE). Midwest Airlines, frequently rated #1 in domestic air service, is based at Mitchell International Airport. Direct international (but some seasonal) flights are offered to Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. Other international travelers will have to connect or fly to Chicago O'Hare international and take the shuttle service to Milwaukee Union station. Like many European airports, Mitchell features a rail link to the city, use the Amtrak train to Milwaukee Union Station ($6). Badger Coaches also operates a $6 service to the city where as a more frequent, cheaper $1.75, yet slower normal city bus line (#80), to downtown is operated by MCTS.

Amtrak serves a downtown and a new airport station. The Hiawatha has 7 daily round trips to Chicago, and the Empire Builder has 1 daily round trip from Chicago through Milwaukee to Seattle/Portland, Via Minneapolis and Spokane (among other cities).

I-94 comes in from Madison to the west, and continues to Chicago to the south. I-43 will get you to the city from Green Bay from the north, and continues south-west to Rockford.

The Lake Express is a high speed ferry that operates across Lake Michigan to Muskegon, MI.

Milwaukee features numerous Greyhound services to Chicago, Madison, and the Twin Cities among other place. The Badger Bus makes runs between Milwaukee and Madison. The cheapest way to get to Milwaukee, Megabus, offers an eight time daily round trip service to Chicago, and one daily bus from Minneapolis from $2.50 round trip.


Getting around in Milwaukee is mostly easy. Block numbers are consistent across the whole city, including most of the suburbs, starting roughly where the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers meet. All numbered streets run north-south, increasing in number as you go west from 1st Street. Most names streets go east-west, with the notable exception of any street east of 1st Street (the East Side). Standard blocks are 1/8th of a mile long north to south, and 1/12th of a mile east to west. Parking Downtown and on the East Side is a minor hassle, but abundant elsewhere.

Milwaukee's bus system, MCTS, is actually quite good, taking into account the almost complete lack of rail support. You can take a bus from anywhere, to almost anywhere in the city, with minor excursions to the suburbs.

Trolley Loop is a frequent scheduled trolley bus service sponsored by local businesses. Rides are free yet service is seasonal.