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MKE

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

Milwaukee, United States

Where to start
Amtrak Hiawatha to Chicago via the free rail-station shuttle / rideshare near Carousel 2

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) picks up near **Baggage Carousel 2** on the lower level — follow 'Exit to Ticketing' signs to the TNC area. Taxis are outside Baggage Claim 3 (cross the roadway, behind the rental cars). For Chicago, the Amtrak Hiawatha runs from the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station — a free shuttle from Baggage Claim Door 5 reaches it, running every few minutes, 24 hours. MCTS buses (GreenLine, Route 80) serve downtown Milwaukee.

Ride Options

Amtrak Hiawatha (via free shuttle)

transit

The standout route to Chicago without driving

AvailabilityMultiple daily departures, ~90 min to Chicago Union Station; Borealis also runs toward St. Paul
Pickup NoteMilwaukee Airport Rail Station, reached by the free 24/7 shuttle from Baggage Claim Door 5 (~5–10 min)
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door with luggage

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteNear Baggage Carousel 2, lower level — follow 'Exit to Ticketing' signs to the TNC area
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Lyft

rideshare

Alternative rideshare option

AvailabilityCommonly available
Pickup NoteSame Carousel 2 TNC area
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
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Milwaukee Licensed Taxi

taxi

No app needed

AvailabilityAt the taxi station
Pickup NoteOutside Baggage Claim 3, behind the rental-car area (cross the roadway)
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
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MCTS GreenLine

transit

Lowest-cost route to downtown Milwaukee

AvailabilityGreenLine and Route 80 serve downtown; ~25–35 min
Pickup NoteBaggage roadway island outside Exit 2 (GreenLine); Route 80 at the ticketing curb
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Milwaukee — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Near Baggage Carousel 2 on the lower level — follow signs toward 'Exit to Ticketing' to reach the designated TNC pickup area. Standard staging, no separate structure.

Taxi

Taxi pickup station outside Baggage Claim 3 — cross the baggage-claim roadway and follow signs to the taxi lane behind the rental-car area.

Shuttle

The free rail-station shuttle runs between the terminal (Baggage Claim Door 5) and the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station every ~5–10 minutes, 24 hours. Hotel shuttles and Saver Parking shuttles also use Door 5. Pre-arranged limo/executive service meets in baggage claim between Carousels 4 and 5.

Transit

Amtrak Hiawatha (Milwaukee–Chicago Union Station, ~90 min, multiple daily) and Amtrak Borealis (toward St. Paul) from the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station via the free shuttle. MCTS GreenLine (baggage roadway island, Exit 2) and MCTS Route 80 connect to downtown Milwaukee.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked cars and chauffeurs meet in the baggage-claim area (between Carousels 4 and 5); for international arrivals, outside Customs.

Travel Extras

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Local Tips

  • The Amtrak Hiawatha to Chicago is MKE's best-kept secret — a free 24/7 shuttle from Baggage Claim Door 5 reaches the rail station, and the train beats driving to downtown Chicago for many travellers.
  • Rideshare is near Carousel 2, but taxis are on the other side — behind the rental-car area outside Baggage Claim 3. Know which you want before you exit.
  • MCTS GreenLine is the budget route to downtown Milwaukee; Route 80 is an alternative but less practical with luggage.
  • MKE is the only US airport with a beer garden, and there's a free aviation museum (Mitchell Gallery of Flight) in the terminal — pleasant if you have time.
  • The first 30 minutes in the hourly and surface lots is free, handy for anyone collecting you.

Tarmyq local tip

If you're heading to Chicago, don't overlook the Amtrak Hiawatha — free shuttle from Door 5 to the rail station, then ~90 minutes to Union Station, no driving. For local trips, rideshare is by Carousel 2 and taxis are behind the rental cars off Baggage Claim 3.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a train from Milwaukee Airport to Chicago?

Yes — this is MKE's standout option. A free shuttle runs every 5–10 minutes, 24 hours a day, from Baggage Claim Door 5 to the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station, where the Amtrak Hiawatha departs for Chicago Union Station in about 90 minutes. For many Chicago-bound travellers it beats driving.

Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at MKE?

Near Baggage Carousel 2 on the lower level — follow the 'Exit to Ticketing' signs to the designated rideshare/TNC area. It's standard staging with no separate structure.

Where is the taxi stand at Milwaukee airport?

The taxi pickup station is outside Baggage Claim 3 — cross the baggage-claim roadway and follow the signs to the taxi lane behind the rental-car area. It's on the opposite side from the rideshare pickup, so decide which you want before exiting.

How do I get from MKE to downtown Milwaukee on a budget?

The MCTS GreenLine bus stops at the baggage-roadway island outside Exit 2 and runs to downtown in roughly 25–35 minutes; Route 80 is an alternative. Both are the lowest-cost options, though not ideal with heavy luggage.