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.
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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.
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.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Milwaukee Airport Guide.
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.
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.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Keep in mind that TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary by flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you remain in the public area (landside), you will not be able to access the secure area (airside) until security screening opens in the morning.
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.
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.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, several hotels near Milwaukee Airport offer free shuttle service. For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area and wait at the center median outside Baggage Claim #4.
- Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center – Mid-range hotel. » Check Rates
- Super 8 Milwaukee Airport – Budget hotel. » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Airport – Mid-range hotel. » Check Rates
- Four Points by Sheraton Milwaukee Airport – Mid-range hotel. » Check Rates
Visit Tripadvisor to see more hotels, compare prices, check availability, and read recent traveller reviews.
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)
Drinking Water
A reader reports that there are no drinking water fountains available in the terminals. (August 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions operate on varying schedules, with most closing overnight. There are no confirmed 24-hour dining options.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Charging stations are available in some seating areas both landside and airside. (MissionChik, February 2025)
Showers
Unfortunately, there are no showers available to freshen up. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Free WiFi is available. Connect to the “Boingo Hotspot” network.
Premium, ad-free WiFi is available for a fee: $4.95 (1 hour) • $7.95 (24 hours) • $9.95 (subscription).
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Available. Fees may apply. Locations: Main Terminal (landside, Upper Level) • Airside (Concourses C and E).
- Baby Care Facilities – Mamava nursing suites available in three locations: Main Terminal (opposite Miller Brewhouse) • Concourse C (near Gate C9) • Concourse D (near Gate D36). Family restrooms with changing tables are available throughout.
- Baggage Carts – Available throughout the terminal. Rate: unknown.
- Banking Services – BMO Harris Bank located in the Main Terminal (landside, Upper Level).
- Bookstore – Available landside.
- Children’s Play Areas – Located in Concourse C (opposite Chili’s) and Concourse D (between Gates D30 and D34).
- Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free availability is unclear. A small selection of shops and newsstands is available.
- Medical Services – First aid centre located airside in Concourse E, beside the family restroom.
- Museum – The Gallery of Flight Aviation History Museum is located landside on the Upper Level, between Concourses C and D.
- Pet Relief Area – Indoor area on the Upper Level near the parking garage skywalk. Outdoor area outside Baggage Claim (Lower Level).
- Postal Services – Mailbox available on the 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).Location: Main Concourse. Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Mon–Thurs, Sat) • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Fri) • 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Sun).
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: 2026-03-17
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.