Milwaukee Intermodal Station Guide

Milwaukee Intermodal Station serves as the primary passenger rail gateway for Wisconsin's largest city. The downtown facility brings together regional and long-distance train travel under one roof. It operates as a combined hub for Amtrak services and various intercity bus operators.

Passengers arriving here find themselves well placed to explore the city center or transfer to other destinations across the Midwest. The station handles consistent daily traffic, especially from the busy corridor connecting Wisconsin to Illinois. Whether you are taking a short regional trip or starting a cross-country journey, the station provides the essential facilities needed for modern rail travel.

Trains from Milwaukee

Three Amtrak routes serve Milwaukee Intermodal Station. The Hiawatha provides frequent service, running many round trips a day as of 2026 between Chicago and Milwaukee. The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.

For a longer daytime trip, the Borealis runs daily in each direction between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul. This route takes about 8 hours end to end. If you are traveling across the country, you can board the Empire Builder. This long-distance train departs daily in each direction, traveling from Chicago to Spokane, where it splits to serve Seattle and Portland. The Empire Builder involves overnight travel, taking about 45 to 46 hours end to end.

Getting to and from the station

Milwaukee Intermodal Station is located downtown, making it easy to reach by various modes of transport. The facility serves as a major hub for intercity buses alongside its rail services.

For local transit, passengers can use The Hop. This streetcar system connects nearby, providing a simple way to navigate the central neighborhoods. Travelers should always check local transit websites for current schedules and route maps before arriving. If you are connecting from an arriving train to a departing bus, allow plenty of time to transfer between the platforms and the bus bays.

Around the station

Because the station is situated right in downtown Milwaukee, you are close to the city center and its main attractions. The nearby connection to The Hop streetcar makes it easy to reach hotels, restaurants and business districts without needing a car.

Milwaukee is known for its breweries, lakefront museums and riverwalk, many of which are accessible via a short streetcar ride or taxi from the station. If you have a long layover, you can easily find places to eat or relax in the surrounding downtown blocks.