Getting Around Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a practical city for visitors to navigate. The street grid is logical and consistent across much of the city and suburbs, with numbered streets running north-south (increasing as you head west) and named streets running east-west. Standard blocks are compact, making many neighborhoods accessible on foot.
Public Transit: Buses
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) operates an extensive bus network covering most of Milwaukee County. Core routes run frequently throughout the day, with reduced service on outlying suburban routes. MCTS also operates express bus service to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.
To ride MCTS buses, fares are $2.00 per trip. You can pay with exact change in cash or use the Umo app to pay by card. The system provides a practical way to move around the city without a car.
Rail and Train Service
Milwaukee has rail connectivity through Amtrak, which operates multiple routes serving the city. The Hiawatha provides frequent daily service between Milwaukee and Chicago, with travel time of around 1.5 hours and amenities including power outlets at seats, quiet cars, and food service. The Empire Builder connects Milwaukee to Seattle and Portland, while the Borealis offers a daily round trip between Saint Paul and Chicago, making all the same stops as the Hiawatha and the Empire Builder.
Two stations serve rail passengers. The Milwaukee Intermodal Station downtown on West St. Paul Avenue is the main hub where most trains stop and where you'll find connections to interstate buses. The Milwaukee Airport-Trains station near the airport offers a free shuttle bus to the airport terminal.
Getting from the Airport to Downtown
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is located southeast of the city. Several options exist for reaching downtown and other areas:
- MCTS buses provide frequent airport service from early morning until late night, costing $2.00. The GreenLine express bus serves the airport with stops at Bay View, the Third Ward, and Downtown before continuing to the East Side. Route 80 connects the airport to the South Side and Downtown.
- Go Riteway shared taxi-van shuttle service costs approximately $12 to Downtown.
- Traditional taxi service costs approximately $30 to Downtown.
- Amtrak service is available via a free shuttle bus to the Milwaukee Airport-Trains station, though this option works best if your onward train timing aligns well.
- Coach bus lines including Badger, Wisconsin Coach USA, and Lamers provide some airport connections as part of their regular routes, with fares typically $4-6.
If you arrive at Chicago airports instead, Wisconsin Coach Lines operates an hourly direct shuttle service from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Milwaukee's Intermodal Station and Mitchell Airport for $34.10 one-way. Alternatively, you can use Chicago's CTA train system to reach Chicago Union Station and then travel to Milwaukee by bus or Amtrak, potentially saving time or money depending on your schedule.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Traditional taxi service is available in Milwaukee, offering a direct option for getting around the city, though at higher cost than public transit. This mode works well for point-to-point trips when timing is important.
Walkability
Milwaukee's compact block structure and logical street grid make many neighborhoods walkable for visitors. The downtown area and nearby attractions are accessible on foot, particularly given the consistent block sizes throughout the city.
Planning Your Visit
For most visitors, combining walking in central areas with MCTS buses for longer trips provides an efficient and affordable way to experience the city. The bus network's extensive coverage and the walkable street layout mean you have flexible options for exploring different neighborhoods without needing a car.