Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Milwaukee Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
even though there were armrests on the most uncomfortable chairs, sleeping was still possible because of the silent ambience of this place. – Derek
MKE Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport.
What to Expect
Milwaukee Airport (code: MKE) consists of a mid-size terminal with three concourses (C, D, and E) and 38 gates, as well as about two dozen eateries and retail outfits spread out between the concourses and the main landside terminal. WiFi is available to help pass the time, and additional comfort may be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first-class lounge. See Airport Lounges below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Milwaukee Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and must re-clear security the next day when the checkpoints open. Most chairs in the airport are hard and have armrests, but some passengers have managed to sleep by propping their feet up on an opposite seat. An internet/workstation area near Concourse C’s entrance has been cited as a potential nook for relatively private sleeping with the added bonus of a heated wall. The airport is known for being cold and noisy, so prepare by bringing extra layers or a travel blanket and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones. For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
Good to Know
Concourse E is closed and slated for demolition.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Milwaukee Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, some hotels near Milwaukee Airport provide free airport shuttles. For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area and wait by the center median outside Baggage Claim #4.
- Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center » Check Rates
- Super 8 Milwaukee Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Airport » Check Rates
- Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Milwaukee Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Not available.
Airline Lounges (members only)
Delta Sky Club – Location: Concourse E. Lounge Access: Elite Status • Lounge membership programs.
Military Lounge
USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: A traveller tells us the USO has moved to Landside, entrance to Concourse D. (April 2022)
Related Pages: Milwaukee Airport Lounges
Cots
In the event of bad weather or massive flight cancellations, this airport has a limited supply of cots for stranded travellers. Availability may have been affected by COVID-19. If you are stranded during a weather delay, contact an airport employee to find out when the cots are located.
Drinking Water
A reader tells us “There are NO drinking water fountains (or bubblers as Milwaukeeans call them) AT ALL in the terminals.” (August 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. According to a July 2021 reviewer, there are no 24-hour options at this time. At the time of this update, Farmer’s fridge vending machines operate 24 hours. The machines offer snacks and salads.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
We did not have any information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this guide.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers
Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Unlimited free WiFi (with advertising) is available at the Milwaukee Airport. Connect to the “Boingo Hotspot” network.
You can upgrade to the premium, advertisement-free WiFi at the following rates: $4.95 (1 hour) • $7.95 (24 hours) • $9.95 (unlimited).
More Airport Information
Baggage Carts – Available throughout the airport. Rate: unknown.
Bookstore – A bookstore is available landside.
Duty-Free & Shopping – At the time of this update, it is unknown if Duty-Free shopping is available. There is a small variety of retail shops and newsstands to pass the time.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – Feed and care for your baby in privacy and comfort inside a Mamava Breastfeeding & Lactation Suite. Each suite has a changing table, comfortable seating, a mirror, USB outlets, and more. Three locations: Main Terminal – opposite Miller Brewhouse • Concourse C, near Gate C9 • Concourse D, near Gate D36. In addition, family restrooms are available throughout the airport, they include additional space for luggage and strollers, changing tables, and child size toilets and sinks in some locations. Changing tables are available in all restrooms.
- Children’s Play Areas – Cute and colourful aviation-themed play areas are available in two locations: Concourse C – opposite Chili’s • Concourse D – between Gates D30 and D34.
Medical Services – A first aid center is available. Location: Airside, Concourse E, beside the family restroom.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Main Terminal, Landside, Upper Level • Airside, Concourses C and E.
- Banking Services – BMO Harris Bank is in the Main Terminal, landside, Upper Level.
Museum – The Gallery of Flight Aviation History Museum offers an interesting and informative display of memorabilia from the aviation pioneers of Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Location: Upper Level, landside, between Concourses C and D.
Pet Relief Area – An indoor pet relief area is available on the Upper Level near the skywalk to the parking garage. An outdoor pet relief area is available outside the Baggage Claim on the Lower Level.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: Upper Level, Landside.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Traveler’s Aid – Traveler’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries for situations such as transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Location: Main Concourse. Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon – Thurs), 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Fri), 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Sat), 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Sun).
Workstations – Not available
Buses, Coaches and Shuttles
MCTS GreenLine service connects the MKE airport to downtown Milwaukee, Bayshore Town Center, Bayshore/Whitefish Bay area, UVM, Milwaukee’s east and south sides and Walker’s Point. MCTS Route 80 service connects the airport to downtown Milwaukee, including the downtown MATC campus and the MATC-South Campus in Oak Creek. For route maps, schedules and fares, visit the MCTS website. GO Riteway offers door-to-door shared-ride shuttle service between the airport and Milwaukee, southeastern Wisconsin or northern Illinois (including Chicago). Badger Coaches, Coach USA and Lamers offer coach service to the Milwaukee area, surrounding regions and counties throughout Wisconsin. Contact your service provider of choice for details. Coaches pick up outside of Baggage Claim 2.
Car Rentals
On-site car rental agencies include Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center • Clarion Hotel Airport • Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Milwaukee Airport • Courtyard by Marriott Milwaukee Airport • Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee Airport • Hampton Inn Milwaukee Airport • Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Airport • Holiday Inn & Suites Milwaukee Airport, an IHG Hotel • Home2 Suites by Hilton Milwaukee Airport • Hyatt Place Milwaukee Airport • Sleep Inn & Suites Airport • Super 8 Milwaukee Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are available in the taxi lane behind the car rental area, outside and across from Baggage Claim 3. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required.
Train
Amtrak’s Hiawatha line runs between Intermodal Station in downtown Milwaukee and Union Station in Chicago. Trains stop at Milwaukee Airport Rail Station, connected to the airport terminal via free shuttle service. Shuttle pick-up is outside of Baggage Claim Door 4. For route maps, schedules and fares, visit the Amtrak Hiawatha website.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.