Getting Around Madison
Madison is the state capital of Wisconsin and the largest city known by that name. For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the city center sits on an isthmus, and the further you get from that central area, the more a car becomes useful. The notes below cover the main ways of moving around town and how to reach the city from its airport.
Arriving by Air
Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) sits northeast of downtown Madison. By car or taxi it is about 15 minutes to the Capitol and the university. The airport has daily flights to nearby hubs including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Denver, plus nonstop service to cities such as Atlanta, Newark, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Once you land, the airport is close enough to the center that a taxi or ride-hailing car is a straightforward option. If you plan to take a cab, remember that Madison taxis generally run on an appointment-only basis, so call ahead rather than expecting to flag one down at the curb.
Getting Into the City by Bus
Several intercity bus companies serve Madison, and they are a practical way to arrive from other cities or from a major airport.
- VanGalder Bus runs from Chicago O'Hare Airport to the University of Wisconsin campus. The stop is on Langdon Street just west of Lake Street, across from the Pyle Center. Tickets can be bought from the bus driver for exact change, or with credit card, check, or cash at the Memorial Union Travel Center.
- Badger Bus runs multiple trips per day between Madison and Milwaukee, with multiple stops in both cities, including downtown, and also stops at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee. It will stop at Johnson Creek on demand, but those tickets must be purchased in advance online.
- Megabus offers low-cost service to Madison from Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. It serves two stops in Madison: one on Langdon Street just west of Lake Street, across from the Pyle Center on the UW campus, and another at the bus shelter at the Dutch Mill Park & Ride on the northeast side. The Langdon Street stop is more centrally located and is the better choice if you are staying in central Madison without a car. Note that the Milwaukee services and the daytime Minneapolis–Saint Paul services do not stop at Dutch Mill.
- Greyhound provides service from Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
Arriving by Rail
Amtrak does not serve Madison directly. The nearest rail connection is via Columbus, about a 30-minute drive north of the city, where the Empire Builder route travels east to Milwaukee and Chicago and west to Minneapolis. Amtrak also connects to Madison from Chicago via a Thruway bus operated by VanGalder.
Getting Around by Bus
You can get around much of Madison on the Metro bus system. A single trip costs $2 and a day ticket costs $5. Coverage becomes spotty and travel times get long as you move further away from the isthmus, so a car is practically a necessity for regular travel outside the city center.
Getting Around by Car
On-street parking in the center of Madison — the isthmus — tends to be scarce, and permits, issued annually, are required. A number of parking garages are sprinkled throughout the area instead. Street parking further from the center is plentiful and free.
On the University of Wisconsin campus, most lots require permits, which are issued annually only to university employees; a few lots do offer public parking. The best advice for campus parking is to read the signs at lot entrances and believe what they say, since UW parking enforcement is highly vigilant and on duty around the clock.
If you are driving from one end of the city to another, the Beltline is a commonly used route.
Football games can pose significant challenges to those traveling in the downtown area by car or bus. If you are traveling on a Saturday in the fall, it is worth checking whether and when the Badgers are playing a home game. Before and after home games, expect most streets near Camp Randall Stadium to be backed up, with traffic moving at a snail's pace. On-street parking in the area will likely be unavailable, and parking lots around campus will likely be filled unless you arrive early. Use extreme caution at intersections, and expect pedestrians to be in high spirits both before and after the game. On the other hand, traffic during a football game is usually very light, so if you need to go somewhere downtown on game day, that is the time to do it.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Uber and Lyft are both available in Madison. There are also several cab companies, and when downtown there is never a taxi far from sight. That said, taxis operate on an appointment-only basis, so be sure to call at least 15–20 minutes before you need a ride, and allow more time during busy periods or inclement weather. With most cab companies you can also reserve a specific time by calling at least 24 hours in advance — highly advisable if you are taking a cab to the airport.
Walking and Biking
Madison has consistently been rated among America's most bicycle-friendly cities, and the city maintains a map of Madison's bike paths. The compact isthmus at the center of town is also well suited to getting around on foot, which makes staying centrally a good strategy if you would rather not rely on a car.
Practical Summary
- From Dane County Regional Airport, a taxi or ride-hailing car reaches the Capitol and university area in about 15 minutes.
- Metro buses cover much of the city, with a $2 single trip and a $5 day ticket; service thins out away from the isthmus.
- Intercity buses (VanGalder, Badger Bus, Megabus, Greyhound) connect Madison with Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis–Saint Paul, and VanGalder links Chicago O'Hare to the UW campus.
- Amtrak requires a drive to Columbus, or a VanGalder Thruway bus from Chicago.
- Downtown parking is scarce and permit-controlled; campus lots are heavily enforced, so read the signs.
- Uber and Lyft are available, and cabs are best booked in advance.
- Biking is a strong option, and the central isthmus is walkable.