Key Highlights
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The main rail station in Milwaukee is the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. Over 1.3 million people use it every year.
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Amtrak runs big services here, with the Hiawatha Service taking you right to Chicago Union Station.
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This spot is where many people connect with other ways to get around, such as the Milwaukee County Transit System and different intercity buses.
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You are able to buy your tickets at the ticket office in the station. There are other ways to book your tickets if that works better for you.
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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation owns the station. It is a big part of how folks get around in Wisconsin.
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Milwaukee used to have more old train stations, but now the Intermodal Station is the city’s only passenger rail hub.
Introduction
Welcome to Milwaukee. The city is known for its deep railroad roots and busy life today. Getting around Milwaukee and other parts of Wisconsin is easy with the city’s train station. If you are traveling for work, taking a short trip for the day, or beginning a long journey across the country, the train is a good way to travel. It’s a simple and calm option for many people. In this guide, you will find all the top tips you need to use the Milwaukee train station well. This will help you enjoy your time in the city and get where you need to go with ease.
Exploring Train Travel in Milwaukee
When you think about going by train in the United States, big names like Amtrak often pop up first. Milwaukee is an important stop on Amtrak’s routes. The city’s main train station lets people get to big cities like Chicago. This makes it a key place for travelers in Wisconsin.
The station is not just for trains. It also connects with intercity buses that help you reach more places in the state of Wisconsin and even outside of it. This main spot, watched over by groups like the Associates of Milwaukee, helps make your trip planning easy. Now, let’s find out more about the city’s main train station and ones that came before it.
Overview of Major Train Stations in the City
Today, all passenger trains in Milwaukee use one main spot called the Milwaukee Intermodal Station. This place is new and took the place of the old Milwaukee Road Depot back in 1965. Now, it is the only train station for passengers in the city, helping people travel to spots like Chicago Union Station.
Years ago, Milwaukee had many great old depots. These train stations were large and nice to look at. They helped the city grow a lot, but you will not find any working today. The stories of these places are part of what makes Milwaukee special and led to people wanting to save old buildings here.
Some of the most well-known depots from the past are:
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Everett Street Depot: This was a big building and had a 140-foot clock tower. It closed in 1965.
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Lake Front Depot: Built in Romanesque style, this was a nice looking station but got torn down in 1968.
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Reed Street Depot: This was one of the first stations in town and worked for different railroads.
How Train Stations Connect to Local and Regional Transportation
The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is built to help people connect to the next part of their trip as soon as they get off the train. The station is a main spot for different kinds of ground travel in Milwaukee. Because of this, you can get to many places in the city or nearby towns without much trouble. Having all these choices in one place is an important part of how the station works.
At this station, you can easily get to the Milwaukee County Transit System, so moving to local buses is simple. On top of that, there are also intercity buses that leave from here and take people to other cities or towns. This really widens the travel options you have for the day.
Your main ways to go on from here include:
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Milwaukee County Transit System buses if you want to travel around locally.
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Many intercity buses for going to other spots in the area.
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You may be able to use a free shuttle bus for some special trips.
Milwaukee Intermodal Station – The Main Hub
The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is the main train station in Milwaukee. This spot is the only place in the city where you can get Amtrak’s Hiawatha Service. The Hiawatha has more than one trip between Milwaukee and Chicago each day. The train station is also a stop for the Empire Builder, which goes a long distance.
The State of Wisconsin owns the station. The Milwaukee Intermodal Station is made to help people who travel. You will find a ticket office, places to sit, and more in this building. The next parts will talk about its spot in the city, what you get when you are there, and how you can get to the train station for your trip.
Location, Accessibility, and Getting There
Finding the Milwaukee Intermodal Station is straightforward. It is centrally located at 433 West St. Paul Avenue, making it easily reachable from downtown and surrounding areas. This prime location ensures that whether you’re arriving by car, bus, or on foot, the station is convenient to access.
Accessibility is a key priority. The station offers features like accessible parking spaces to accommodate all travelers. For passengers requiring assistance, services such as a wheelchair lift and baggage service are available to ensure a comfortable and stress-free boarding process. These amenities make it a welcoming hub for everyone.
For a quick reference on getting to and using the station, see the table below.
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Feature |
Details |
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Address |
433 W. St. Paul Avenue, Milwaukee, WI |
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Local Transit |
Connections via Milwaukee County Transit System |
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Regional Transit |
Hub for various intercity bus companies |
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Accessibility |
Accessible parking, wheelchair lift, baggage service |
Facilities, Amenities, and Ticketing Options
The Milwaukee Intermodal Station gives you everything you need to wait in comfort. After a $16.9 million renovation, the station looks new and welcomes all travelers. You can sit and relax in the waiting room before you leave.
At the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, you will find good amenities that help make your trip smooth. Staff are always there to help you. Onboard ramps help you get on the train easier by bridging the space to the level of the vestibule of the train. If you travel with baggage, there is a checked baggage service for large items.
You can get your tickets for Amtrak trips in different ways. Buy them at the ticket office inside the station or get them online before your day of travel. The Milwaukee Intermodal Station has:
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An on-site ticket office
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A large waiting room
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Baggage service for checked items
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Water fountain and restrooms
Conclusion
To sum up, Milwaukee’s train stations stand out for their easy access, comfort, and local feel. They are an important part of the city’s travel options. The busy Intermodal Station and the older, smaller stations let people get around both Milwaukee and other places close by. If you know what each station offers, your trip will be smoother and better. These train stations help people who go to work and those who are here to see the city. They are a friendly starting point for all there is in Milwaukee. Want to start your next trip? Book your train tickets now and see Milwaukee in a new way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Amtrak routes serve Milwaukee train stations?
The Milwaukee Intermodal Station has two main Amtrak routes. The Hiawatha Service runs many times each day between Milwaukee and Chicago Union Station. This is good for people who go back and forth to work or visit for a day. The Empire Builder, a long-distance train, also stops at the station. This train connects Milwaukee to places in Wisconsin and other parts of the country.
Are there historical or secondary train stations in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee is a city that once had many nice train stations. The Everett Street Depot and the Lake Front Depot were two of the biggest depots in Milwaukee. These depots helped many people in the city, but they do not serve passengers anymore. In the 1960s, both the Everett Street Depot and the Lake Front Depot were torn down. The old Milwaukee Road Depot was taken down too. Now, the new Intermodal Station has taken its place in Milwaukee. The city has changed a lot, but people still remember the times when the Milwaukee Road and these other depots played a big role.
What should travelers know before boarding at Milwaukee’s train stations?
Before you leave, try to arrive early so you can find a parking space. This is important if you need an accessible parking spot. If you still need to buy tickets, go to the ticket office. Be sure to look at the time of your trip in your email. Give yourself some extra time to reach the waiting room without any rush.