Milwaukee Airport
Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is the major full-service airport located approximately 8 miles south of downtown Milwaukee, just off Interstate 94. Most major airlines serve Milwaukee. Midwest Airlines has a hub at Mitchell. The airport web site has airline and flight information (including list of airlines), but is generally unhelpful on the ground side to help you find the bus stop, rail station, rental car desks, or other essentials.
Many international and low-fare airlines serve the nearby Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) airports, approximately 90 miles south of Milwaukee. We also have more information on traveling between Chicago and Milwaukee, including special services to those airports!
Ground transport information is available at the information desk next to Baggage Claim Doors #2-3. The desk is operated by the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitor's Bureau (GMCVB), and includes information and schedules for most services, including many not listed here. You can reach the information desk at (414) 747-4808. Even when the desk is closed, the displays and schedules are still available.
- Shuttles to the General Mitchell Airport Rail Station (MKA) and Remote Parking Lot B stop outside Baggage Claim Door #5.
- Airport Connection shared ride van service stops outside Baggage Claim Door #3 - purchase tickets inside first.
- Badger Bus and Airport Express buses stop outside Baggage Claim Door #1.
- MCTS route 80 and Coach USA Kenosha buses stop 300 feet south of baggage claim (turn left as you decend to baggage claim) next to the surface parking lot.
Getting To and From the Airport
Downtown Milwaukee
- Expect a taxi to cost around $30.
- Most convenient: Airport Connection shared ride van serves a frequent loop of most downtown hotels.
- Cheapest: MCTS route 80 serves 6th St. downtown, next to the Midwest Airlines Center and nearby hotels. Travel time is 25 minutes, only a few minutes longer than taxi or van.
Milwaukee County
The most convenient is Airport Connection shared ride van service. The cheapest is MCTS route 80, serving 6th St. and Villard Ave, with frequent connection to most other MCTS routes.
Waukesha County
The most convenient is Airport Connection shared ride van service. Airport Express is cheaper, serving the Goerke's Corners Park & Ride hourly. Badger Bus is cheapest, also serving the Goerke's Corners Park & Ride.
Racine, Kenosha, Madison, and Chicago
The map shows the four intercity carriers that serve Mitchell Airport, and their important stops in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Within 30 miles of MKE, Airport Connection shared ride van service will be the most convenient.
More information on:
Non-airport services are not shown on the map - transfers may be inconvenient and time-consuming.
Airport Taxis, Vans, Limos, and Rental Cars
Airport Limos, Vans, and Taxis
Due to poor regulation and oversight by the Milwaukee County Board, your options are fragmented and needlessly expensive:
All local Taxi companies (Yellow cab co-op, Veterans Cab, and All-American [no websites]) serve the airport. Fares for 8 miles from Downtown to the Airport average $25-30. Taxis are poorly regulated, so expect high meter rates and poorly-paid immigrant drivers. Yellow Cab Co-op (don't be fooled by imitations) is the best of the taxi companies.
Shared Ride Van: Airport Connection is the only authorized shared-ride van service. At the airport, they have a desk near Baggage Claim door #2. Downtown-Airport fares average $11.
Airport Car and Limo Services: A variety of providers come and go in this field. Three of the more reputable are Airport Town Car Express, Corporate Limousine Service, Riteway Executive Sedan and Limousine,and Airport Connection.
Rental Cars
All major rental agencies have offices across the street from the airport claim, or just offsite (with shuttles, of course).