Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is about nine miles south of downtown, and it’s one of the cheaper airports in the Midwest to get to and from. A city bus runs right to the terminal, a free shuttle connects you to Amtrak trains to Chicago, and the cheapest parking lot costs $11 a day. Here’s every budget option, with prices as of November 2026.
Your options at a glance
| Option | Cost (as of Nov. 2026) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCTS GreenLine bus | $2.75 adult fare | About 26–31 min to downtown | Solo travelers, light bags |
| Amtrak Hiawatha (via free shuttle) | $19–$37 one way to Chicago | About 1 hr 19 min to Chicago Union Station; about 15 min to downtown Milwaukee | Chicago trips, O’Hare award flyers heading home |
| Uber/Lyft | UberX averaged about $27 to downtown (Uber’s figure) | About 15 min | Groups, late nights |
| Saver parking lot | $11 per day | Free shuttle every 5–10 min | Driving yourself |
The bus: MCTS GreenLine and Route 80
Two Milwaukee County Transit System routes serve the airport. The GreenLine runs between the airport, downtown and Bayshore. On weekdays it comes about every 14–15 minutes for most of the day, and the ride to Water and Wisconsin downtown takes about 26–31 minutes. Route 80 (6th Street) runs about every 21–22 minutes on weekdays.
The adult fare went up to $2.75 on Jan. 1, 2026, with fare caps of $8.25 a day and $33 a week, so riding a lot during a visit doesn’t cost more than that. Construction note: while the airport’s new Concourse E is being built, the bus stops have moved. Through spring or mid-2027, catch the GreenLine at the Baggage Claim stop (#7162) and Route 80 at the Airport Departure stop (#9775). Check MCTS before you ride.
The train: Amtrak Hiawatha from the airport station
MKE has its own Amtrak stop, the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station, and the shuttle between it and the terminal is free. From the terminal, go to Baggage Claim Door #5 and board any Saver Parking shuttle; they run every 5–10 minutes, around the clock. The station itself is open 5:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The Hiawatha runs seven round trips a day between Milwaukee and Chicago, including the Borealis, which also stops at the airport. One-way fares run $19–$37 depending on demand and how early you book, and the trip to Chicago Union Station takes about 1 hour 19 minutes. If you find a cheaper award out of Milwaukee than out of Chicago, the train makes MKE an easy alternative for Chicagoans.
Rideshare, taxis and buses to other cities
- Uber and Lyft: follow the signs near Baggage Carousel 2 to the pickup area.
- Taxis: the taxi stand is outside Baggage Claim 3. The airport doesn’t publish a flat taxi fare.
- Coach USA Airport Express (Wisconsin Coach Lines) stops at MKE and Chicago O’Hare, plus Racine, Kenosha, downtown Milwaukee and Waukesha. It doesn’t serve Midway.
- Badger Bus connects MKE with Madison.
Parking rates
| Lot | Hourly | Daily max (tax included) |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly (parking structure) | $2 | $27 |
| Daily (parking structure) | $2 | $18 |
| Surface | $2 | $18 |
| Saver (free shuttle) | $2 | $11 |
| Valet | – | $28 |
The first 30 minutes are free in the Hourly, Surface and Cell Phone lots. The Saver lot takes credit cards only. Amtrak passengers have their own Rail Lot by the airport station, listed by the airport at $11 per 24 hours (a state page lists $10, so check the sign).
Lounges and extras
MKE has a Delta Sky Club in Concourse D. Amex Platinum cardholders can get in when flying Delta the same day, subject to Delta’s visit rules and space. We didn’t find a Priority Pass lounge at MKE. The airport also has CLEAR lanes, TSA PreCheck, and since July 2026 a $4-per-bag Premium Bag Check service near the Information Desk for Southwest, American, Delta and Frontier flyers.
Our take
Upsides: For $2.75 the GreenLine gets you downtown in about half an hour, the free shuttle to Amtrak makes MKE an easy option for Chicago-area travelers, and the $11 Saver lot is cheap for a major airport.
Downsides: Construction on Concourse E has moved the bus stops until 2027, the Hiawatha schedule is limited late at night, and lounge options are thin if you don’t fly Delta. Check the MCTS and Amtrak schedules before you go.
Related on Points Capital: Flying From Milwaukee (MKE) on Miles: Airlines, Nonstops and When O’Hare Is Worth the Trip; Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival 2026: Nov. 19 Kickoff, Displays, Jingle Bus and Where to Stay on Points; Getting To and From Miami Airport (MIA) on a Budget.
Sources
- MKE: Ground transportation
- MKE: Parking
- MCTS: GreenLine
- MCTS: Route 80
- MCTS: Fares
- Urban Milwaukee: Bus fares go up
- WisDOT: Milwaukee Airport Rail Station
- Amtrak Hiawatha: Schedules and fares
- Amtrak: Hiawatha
- Uber: MKE to downtown Milwaukee
- Coach USA: Airport Express
- Coach USA: Midway service
- Badger Bus: Schedule
- MKE: Terminal guide
- American Express: Delta Sky Club MKE
- MKE: Security and TSA
- MKE: Premium Bag Check news release
- MKE: Concourse E project
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