Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) Information

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin - WI, USA)

Named after United States Army Air Service Brigadier-General and famous son of the city Billy Mitchell, Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport is often mooted as Chicago's third air hub, with many travelers preferring to use it rather than Chicago's very own O'Hare or Midway airports. This is especially the case since 2005, when a direct rail connection from Chicago was provided by the airport's newly opened Amtrak railway station.

The complex is a busy air hub, with almost ten million passengers using its amenities every year. It is popular with travelers for its location, nearby Milwaukee, and easy access, shops, food and other amenities, as well as for its design and its Mitchell Gallery of Flight aviation museum. Southwest and its operating partner Airtran are by far the largest carriers here, with Delta and its subsidiaries being a close second.

The vast majority of routes supported at the General Mitchell International Airport are domestic, with the exception of an Air Canada Express hop to Toronto. The most frequently served destinations are Atlanta, Minneapolis, Denver, New York, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Unusually for a regional US airport, ground transportation here is fully comprehensive and even includes a rail link.

General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

Address: 5300 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, WI, 53207, USA
Tel: +1 414 747 5300
Located just 5 miles / 8 km to the south of Milwaukee's downtown and central business districts, the airport straddles the suburbs of Cudahy, Holler Park and New Coeln, and is sited next to the Milwaukee Area Technical College (South Campus). Both the I-43 and I-94 interstates are close by, making for fast roadway connections to the city and other destinations.

General Mitchell Airport (MKE) Guide

Facilities:

• An information desk is situated in the main terminal area, with another in the Arrivals area
• ATMs are found in the airside Departures hall and the main hall
• Parcel delivery services are found in the main hall
• Midwest Express passengers can access the airside business lounges, which offer Internet access, meeting rooms, refreshments, phones and fax machines
• Car hire desks for Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty
• Airside meeting rooms with basic business facilities can be booked in advance
• The complex offers excellent facilities for the disabled
• The Departure lounge is home to a children's play area
• A wide range of shops and duty free outlets, including a Harley-Davidson store and a PGA shop. Most of the offerings are in the Departures lounge
• Bars, restaurants and a Starbucks, as well as a food court with a great selection of cold and hot meals take care of hunger and thirst pangs!
• The Gallery of Flight Museum is located in the Departures atrium
• Long-term and short-stay car parks are provided, including a fast 'Smart Pass' system
• Cell-phone waiting area with 30 parking spaces

Cars

Access by car to Milwaukee and Chicago is via the I-94 and the I-74 interstates, respectively. Even the freeways around this vast conurbation are crammed with traffic during holidays and rush hours, extending the usual journey times of 15 minutes (Milwaukee) and roughly one hour and 45 minutes (Chicago).

Book your Milwaukee Car Rental here.

Buses

Public bus service number 80 runs from outside the Arrivals exit direct to downtown, with a journey time of between 25 and 30 minutes. The Madison-Wisconsin coach service runs to the city and continues to Waukesha, Racine and other destinations. The Badger Coach serves Madison and Johnson Creek, while Greyhound buses head all over the country. Shuttle buses serve the city's hotels, with the Airport Connection service running 24 hours a day, and many hotels now offer their own airport shuttle services.

Trains

A shuttle bus connects the terminal to the Amtrak rail station (roughly 0.5 miles / 1 km away), or alternatively, a covered walkway can be used. Trains run from here to Milwaukee and Chicago, where connections to most US cities can be accessed.

Taxis and Limos

Taxi stands are found outside the airport's terminal entrance, with only registered metered taxis allowed to ply for fares. Luxury limos with experienced drivers can be hired by phone, on arrival or booked ahead online, and are a comfortable way to travel after a long flight.