Milwaukee Airport Amtrak Station Parking: 2026 Guide

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Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MKA) parking is a dedicated on-airport lot located at 5601 South 6th Street, just south of Grange Avenue, offering parking at $2/hour up to a $11/day maximum — the same rate as the Saver Lot. Milwaukee airport Amtrak station parking is one of the most affordable options at MKE, and it sits just a short free shuttle ride from the main terminal. If you're connecting between a flight and an Amtrak train, or simply want cheap long-term parking near the airport, this lot deserves a close look.

• Rate: $2/hour, capped at $11/day — per Milwaukee County Aviation Department published rates (verified October 2026)
• Location: S. 6th Street, south of Grange Avenue — separate from the main terminal parking garage
• Shuttle: Free airport shuttle connects MKA to the MKE terminal; call 414-747-4561 for pickup from the rail station
• Trains: Amtrak Hiawatha (Milwaukee–Chicago) and Borealis stop at MKA
• Off-airport alternative: Hotel lots near MKE start at $5.50/day via Triply — cheaper for multi-day trips
• MARS project: Wisconsin DOT's Milwaukee Airport Rail Station upgrade is ongoing — verify current access before travel

Travelers planning a same-day air-to-rail connection should compare all MKE parking options from $5.50/day on Triply before committing to the on-site Amtrak lot — you might find a cheaper off-airport rate that still works perfectly for your trip.

What Is the Milwaukee Airport Amtrak Station and Where Is It Located?

The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MKA) is an Amtrak stop built directly into the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport campus. Its address is 5601 South 6th Street, Milwaukee, WI, south of Grange Avenue — on the south end of the airport property. It is not inside the main terminal building, but it is connected to it via a free shuttle.

The station is operated as part of the airport's ground transportation network, managed by the Milwaukee County Aviation Department. You'll find it clearly signed from the airport's baggage claim level. For drivers heading there directly, South 6th Street provides straightforward access from the surrounding road network near Interstate 41/94.

MKA is one of very few Amtrak stations in the United States located on an active airport campus. That makes it uniquely useful for travelers who want to fly into Milwaukee and then catch a train — or park a car and combine both modes of travel.

How Much Does Milwaukee Airport Amtrak Station Parking Cost?

Per Milwaukee County Aviation Department published rates (verified October 2026), the Rail Station Parking lot costs $2 per hour, with a daily maximum of $11. This is the same rate as the airport's Saver Lot. There is no published weekly cap — for trips longer than a few days, that $11/day rate adds up fast.

All major credit cards are accepted at MKE parking facilities. The Saver Lot is credit-card only, and the Rail Station lot follows similar payment infrastructure — verify cash acceptance at the pay station before you arrive. You can also use the MKE SmartPark app for payment. For questions, contact MKE Parking Customer Service (24/7) at 414-747-4561.

Is MKA Parking Cheaper Than Other Milwaukee Airport Parking Options?

At $11/day, the Rail Station lot ties with the Saver Lot as the cheapest on-airport parking at MKE. But off-airport hotel lots booked through Triply can undercut that price significantly. Here's how the full picture looks (all rates verified October 2026):

Based on our analysis, the Royle Hotel lot saves $38.50 over seven days compared to the MKA Rail Station lot — a savings of roughly 50%. The tradeoff is that you shuttle to the terminal first, then separately get to the rail station. If your whole trip revolves around the Amtrak connection, the MKA lot's location right next to the tracks has real value. For purely price-driven multi-day parking, the off-airport hotel lots win. See our full MKE park and fly hotels comparison for complete shuttle schedules and check-in details.

How Do You Get Between the MKE Terminal and the Amtrak Station?

A free shuttle bus connects the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport main terminal to the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station. The shuttle runs on demand — you do not catch it at a fixed schedule like the Saver Lot shuttle. To request pickup from the rail station to the terminal, call the airport's parking line at 414-747-4561.

Step-by-Step: Terminal to Rail Station

1. Collect your bags at Baggage Claim and exit through Baggage Claim Exit 2 (ground transportation area)
2. Look for the airport shuttle signs — the same area also serves Coach USA, Lamers, Badger Coaches, and FlixBus intercity coaches
3. Board the free shuttle marked for the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station
4. Ride to the MKA station on S. 6th Street (the trip is short — verify current travel time with the driver)
5. Check in at the station and collect your ticket or boarding pass before your train

Step-by-Step: Rail Station to Terminal

1. After your train arrives, exit the MKA station building
2. Call 414-747-4561 to request the shuttle pickup — this is not automatic
3. Wait at the designated shuttle pickup area outside the station
4. The shuttle will bring you to the terminal's baggage claim level
5. Proceed to your airline's check-in counter or security

Planning a same-day connection between a flight and an Amtrak train? Build in at least 60–90 minutes of buffer between your scheduled flight arrival and your train departure. Bags, the terminal shuttle, and unexpected delays can all eat into that window. Review TSA security screening guidelines if you need to re-enter the secure area for any reason — though for departing rail travelers, security is not a factor.

What Amtrak Trains Stop at MKA and Where Can You Go?

Two Amtrak routes serve Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MKA) as of 2026. Both connect the airport to Chicago and points beyond, making MKA genuinely useful for regional travel.

• Hiawatha Service: Runs between Milwaukee and Chicago Union Station. Multiple daily departures in each direction. This is the most-used route at MKA — fast, frequent, and practical for day trips or connections.
• Borealis: Runs between Chicago and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul), with stops through Wisconsin. The Borealis passes through MKA, giving travelers access to a longer corridor.

From Chicago Union Station, you can connect to virtually anywhere on the Amtrak national network — including the Empire Builder heading west. The MKA station's location on the airport grounds makes it easy to fly in, grab a train, and skip a separate downtown transfer entirely. For full current schedules and booking, visit Wisconsin DOT's MARS project page or check directly on Amtrak.com (verify departure times before travel — schedules change seasonally).

What Are the Hours and Facilities at the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station?

The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station is open during train service hours. The station is not a 24-hour facility — if your train arrives late at night or very early in the morning, plan accordingly and verify current hours with Amtrak before booking. The parking lot itself is accessible as part of the airport campus.

The station sits on South 6th Street, south of Grange Avenue, in a dedicated building. Key facilities include a waiting area, ticketing, and restrooms. Accessibility features are present — the station was designed to connect to the airport shuttle system. For specific ADA parking space availability in the MKA lot, call MKE Parking Customer Service at 414-747-4561 to confirm before your trip, as the parking page does not detail accessible space counts.

What Is the MARS Upgrade Project and How Does It Affect Your Trip?

The Milwaukee Airport Rail Station (MARS) upgrade project is a Wisconsin DOT infrastructure initiative to improve the rail-to-air connection at MKE. The project involves upgrades to the station's facilities, passenger experience, and connections. According to the Wisconsin DOT MARS project page, the goal is to make the MKA station a stronger multimodal hub.

As of October 2026, no parking facility closures at MKA have been identified in connection with the MARS project — but travelers should verify current access alerts before arriving. Construction timelines can affect shuttle routing, drop-off zones, and access roads. Check MKE's ground transportation page for the latest updates. Separately, Concourse E at the main terminal is also undergoing a major international concourse redevelopment (started September 2025, expected completion 2027) — this does not affect MKA parking directly but may affect terminal flow.

Tips for a Smooth Same-Day Air-to-Rail Connection at Milwaukee Airport

Connecting from a flight to an Amtrak train on the same day at MKE is very doable — but it requires planning. Here are the most important things to get right.

Timing Your Connection

• Allow 60–90 minutes minimum between your scheduled flight arrival and your Amtrak departure
• Factor in baggage claim time — domestic bags typically arrive 15–30 minutes after landing
• The terminal-to-rail-station shuttle is free but on demand — calling ahead speeds things up
• Check flight status on FlightAware for MKE the morning of travel
• If you have TSA PreCheck and need to return through security, it can save time — though departing rail travelers typically don't re-enter the secure zone

Parking Strategy for Air-Rail Travelers

• If you're catching a train after a flight, the MKA lot is most convenient — park, ride, and you're steps from the platform
• If you're flying out after arriving by train, park at MKA and walk or shuttle to the terminal
• For multi-day trips where you drive to MKA and fly from MKE, compare the $11/day MKA rate against off-airport hotel lots starting at $5.50/day — the hotel lots may save money even with the extra shuttle step
• Book off-airport lots through Triply's MKE parking search to lock in rates and avoid walk-up pricing

What Can Go Wrong — and How to Avoid It

• Tight connections: A delayed inbound flight can cause you to miss your train — book a train with buffer time, or have a later departure as a backup
• Overnight arrivals: The MKA station is not 24/7. If your flight lands after station closing, you may need to stay overnight or arrange alternative transport to the station the next morning
• Shuttle gaps: The on-demand shuttle requires a phone call — don't assume one is waiting. Save 414-747-4561 in your phone before you travel
• Baggage: You cannot check Amtrak bags through from an airline — these are two separate ticketing systems. Plan to carry everything from the terminal to the train yourself

For a full look at how the rail option compares to rideshare, buses, and driving to MKE, see our complete MKE ground transportation guide. And if you want every on-airport and off-airport parking rate laid out in one place, the MKE parking rates guide has the full breakdown.

Find the Best Milwaukee Airport Amtrak Station Parking for Your Trip

Milwaukee airport Amtrak station parking costs $11/day on-site — affordable, but not always the cheapest choice. Off-airport hotel lots on Howell Avenue and S. 13th Street start at just $5.50/day via Triply, with free shuttles to the terminal. For a quick connection or a short trip, the MKA lot's location is hard to beat. For longer trips, running the numbers on off-airport options almost always pays off.

Compare all MKE airport parking options — from $5.50/day — on Triply and book in seconds. Rates are current, lots are verified, and you can cancel free up to 2 hours before your reservation starts.