A guide to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Quick insights
- MKE is located in Wisconsin near northern Illinois and offers flights across the U.S. and some limited international destinations.
- There is one terminal building with two security checkpoints and a separate building for international arrivals.
- Ground transportation options include rideshares, taxis, shuttles and public transit bus routes and a nearby Amtrak rail service station.
The Milwaukee Mitchell International AirportOpens overlay located in southeast Wisconsin is approximately 6 miles south of downtown Milwaukee. It offers flights to dozens of U.S. destinations as well as flights to select Caribbean destinations.
Read on to learn more about how to get to and around MKE.
Navigating to and from MKE
Whether you’re coming from Wisconsin or Illinois, MKE is accessible from I-94 via Exit 318. Those dropping off passengers can use the ticketing roadway or park in the hourly section of the parking garage. The first 30 minutes in the garage are typically free.
There are several ground transportation options available, including:
- Rental cars: The rental car center is located just across from the terminal on the ground floor of the parking garage.
- Rideshare: Rideshare pickup is located outside Baggage Carousel 2 on the lower level of the terminal.
- Shuttles: There are several shuttle operators providing door-to-door airport service to select hotels and other locations in southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, including Chicago. Pick up for shuttle services is opposite Baggage Carousel 4 on the lower level.
- Taxis: Taxi service is available via the taxi pickup station located outside of Baggage Carousel 3. Travelers can cross the baggage claim roadway and follow signs to the taxi lane behind the rental car area.
- Public transit: There are several bus routes that serve the airport, including the GreenLine and Route 80 buses. The GreenLine stop is located at the baggage roadway traffic island outside Exit 2. The Route 80 stop is on the ticketing curb near the airline entrance.
- Amtrak: The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station serves rail passengers connecting to flights at MKE, along with rail-only passengers utilizing a regional intercity rail service. MKE Airport offers a free shuttle service between the terminal and the rail station. The rail station is located at 5601 S. 6th Street, just minutes from the airport.
Parking at MKE
There is one parking garage at MKE and two surface lots. There are two skywalk bridges that connect the terminal to levels 3 and 5 of the parking garage. For parking estimates and spot reservations, visit the MKE site or download the MKE Smart Park app.
Parking options at MKE include:
- Daily: There are daily parking sections in the garage on all floors. There are two skywalk bridges that connect the main terminal to the parking garage.
- Hourly: The hourly section of the parking garage is for travelers who need to park for less than 5 hours. Hourly parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the parking garage.
- Surface: The Surface Lot is located immediately south of the parking structure and is a short distance from the terminal.
- Saver: The Saver Lot is an economy parking option. It is located on Air Cargo Way only minutes from the terminal. Free shuttle buses from the lot to the terminal generally run every 5-10 minutes, 24 hours a day.
- Valet: Valet parking is available by reservation. Valet parking is located on the left-hand side of ticketing right across the terminal.
- Cell phone lot: The cell phone lot is located immediately south of the parking structure and is a short distance from the terminal.
The first 30 minutes of parking are generally free in the hourly parking garage and surface lots. There also are electric car charging stations in the daily section of the parking garage and the Saver Lot.
For international travelers, there are only 10 parking spaces available near the International Arrivals Building for arriving passenger pickups only. Passengers who are making international departures will depart from the main terminal and should use the main parking garage or lots.
Visit the MKE site for more information on parking options, pricing and locationsOpens overlay.
MKE terminals and map
MKE has one terminal with two concourses—Concourse C and D—housing more than 40 gates. The terminal has two levels with baggage claim, ground transportation and ticketing on the lower level. All gates, security, shops and dining options are on the upper level. Baggage claim and ticketing on the lower level are separated by a roadway that serves valet parking and rideshare pickups.
There is also an International Arrivals Building where international travelers go through processing. There is a complimentary shuttle service from International Arrivals to the main terminal and airport parking lots.
Visit the MKE website for a map of airport shops, ground transportation options and dining locationsOpens overlay.
Security at MKE
There are two security checkpoints at MKE located just before entering Concourse C and Concourse D.
Travelers are advised by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before their scheduled departure time for domestic flights and 3 hours for international departures.
Getting through airport security faster
Customs and TSA wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck® allows members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Global Entry allows members to bypass the standard customs line and use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Things to do at MKE
There are a few dining options in the main terminal before passing through security screening as well as places to eat in both concourses that include a mix of grab-and-go options and sit-down restaurants.
Travelers can shop in the main terminal at several stores that sell travel essentials and specialty stores that sell outdoor apparel, jewelry, golf supplies and Wisconsin souvenirs. The main terminal also houses a bookstore with a large selection of used and rare books— and is one of the first used bookstores in an airport.
Other amenities at MKE include:
- Children’s play areas in both concourses complete with climbing structures and views of the airfield
- Nursing and lactation suites in the main terminal and both concourses
- The non-profit aviation museum Mitchell Gallery of FlightOpens overlay located in the main terminal
- A service animal relief area in the main terminal
- The USO lounge in the main terminal open serving active military personnel
There also is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout MKE.
In summary
MKE has one main terminal with two levels and a separate International Arrivals Building. Baggage claim and ground transportation are on the ground level, and passengers will find ticketing counters, security and all gates on the upper level.
There is one garage and two surface parking lots at MKE. The garage houses the rental car counters and provides daily and hourly parking. The first 30 minutes of parking are typically free in the garage and lots. There is also a free airport shuttle service that runs daily between the lots, International Arrivals Building and main terminal.
This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication and is subject to change. Please refer to the airport's official site.
