MKE Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport

Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is connected to Milwaukee and the surrounding region by a layered network of ground transportation. The right choice depends on how many people are traveling, how much luggage you have, what time of day it is, and whether your destination is downtown or the suburbs.

Rideshare (Uber and Lyft) at MKE

Uber and Lyft pick up on the Ground Transportation curb outside baggage claim. Surcharge $2.50.

Surge pricing is common during weather delays and immediately after large arrival banks. If your phone shows surge pricing of 1.8x or higher, the rental-car shuttle for a same-day return is often a faster total-cost path than waiting for surge to drop.

Rental cars

On-airport rental cars are in the Hourly Garage on Level 2. Loyalty members of National (Emerald Club), Hertz (Gold Plus Rewards), Avis (Preferred), and Enterprise (Plus) usually skip the counter entirely. National's choose-any-car-on-the-aisle model is the fastest path through the facility for travelers who do not need a specific vehicle class.

Public transit to and from MKE

MCTS GreenLine connects MKE with downtown Milwaukee every 30 minutes for $2.25. Amtrak Hiawatha service stops at the General Mitchell Airport Station. For more on US airport transit options, see the ground transport overview.

Hotel and parking shuttles

GO Riteway and several hotel shuttles use the Ground Transportation curb. Free shuttles run on each operator's own loop, typically every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes overnight. If you do not see your hotel's shuttle, call the front desk before assuming you have missed it — schedules vary on weekends and holidays.

Cell phone waiting area

If somebody is picking you up in a private vehicle, ask them to wait at the cell phone waiting lot until you have your luggage and are at the curb. Pulling to the arrivals curb early at MKE forces the driver into the recirculation loop, which can add 15 to 25 minutes on a busy day.

Accessibility

All ground transportation options at MKE are required to provide equivalent service for travelers with disabilities. Accessible taxis are dispatched on request from the taxi stand. Public transit is wheelchair accessible. Hotel shuttles are required to provide wheelchair accommodation — call the hotel ahead to confirm a lift-equipped vehicle is on your departure-window schedule.

Parking is the alternative

If you are driving yourself, see the MKE parking guide for on-site garages, off-site lots, and a comparison of every published rate.