I ride this line a lot. It’s the Amtrak Hiawatha, from Milwaukee to Chicago. Short trip. Easy rhythm. Most days it just works. And yes, I’ve had a few hiccups too.
For a granular, stop-by-stop look at the service, you can check out my expanded review that dives even deeper into the quirks of this route.
If you’re looking for the official rundown—everything from current timetables to onboard amenities—you can always check the Amtrak Hiawatha route page before you book.
Booking and what I paid
I buy tickets in the Amtrak app. My one-way fare has ranged from about $20 to $35. Weekday mornings cost more for me. Busy Fridays do too. I’ve upgraded to Business Class a few times for a calmer car and bigger seats. That ran me about $10–$15 more.
Seats aren’t assigned. You pick your spot once you board. That’s nice if you’re picky like me.
Stations and the little dance of boarding
Milwaukee Intermodal Station feels simple. I show my eTicket on my phone. The conductor scans the code. Done. I put my bag on the overhead rack or the big shelf near the doors.
I’ve also started at Milwaukee Airport Rail Station after a work trip. The free shuttle from the terminal took about five minutes. I waited under the blue signs, hopped on, and caught the afternoon train to Chicago without stress.
Sturtevant is quiet but clean. Glenview can be busy, especially on weekends. The last stop is Chicago Union Station. Big, old, and a bit grand. It’s a short walk to the Clinton Blue Line stop if you need the CTA.
If you’re overnighting downtown, I’ve rounded up some hotel options near Grant Park that make it easy to roll your luggage straight from the station to the lakefront.
On the train: what it’s like
The ride takes about 80 to 90 minutes for me. Most of my trips landed on time or close. I’ve had delays, sure. More on that in a second.
- Seats: Comfy and wide. I’m 5'9", and my knees are fine, even in Coach.
- Power: Outlets at the seats. I charge my phone and laptop.
- Wi-Fi: Good for email and chats. Streaming can sputter. I download shows first.
- Restrooms: Clean early in the day. Later, they get crowded.
- Food: On my rides, there wasn’t a café car. I bring a sandwich, trail mix, or a can of sparkling water.
Bikes? I’ve brought my folding bike once with a reservation. Space is limited, so I booked ahead. Pets? I’ve seen small carriers under seats. Folks seemed fine, and staff checked tags.
Real trips that stuck with me
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My 6:15 a.m. sprint: I took the early train from Milwaukee for a 10:00 a.m. meeting near the Loop. We rolled into Union Station around 7:30-something. I grabbed coffee, walked to Clinton, and rode the Blue Line two stops. I was in my chair by 9:25 with time to breathe.
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Snowy Sunday in January: We paused outside Glenview for about 18 minutes. A freight train crossed ahead. The conductor kept us posted every few minutes, which helped. The heat worked well, and a kid across the aisle built a little Lego taxi. You could feel the whole car relax.
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SummerFest weekend: The morning train was packed. People had coolers and huge tote bags. I switched to Business Class at the station. Worth it. Quieter, more legroom, and I could work. Pro tip: stand near the door you need before your stop; that crowd moves fast.
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Airport shuffle: After landing at MKE, I tried the airport rail station. Shuttle was easy, and I skipped downtown traffic. We left on time, and I got to Chicago with daylight left for a stroll by the river.
The good stuff
- Fast enough to beat I-94 stress
- No Illinois tolls, no pricey parking in Chicago
- Big seats, outlets, and space for a carry-on
- Clear PA updates most of the time
- Easy walk to CTA from Union Station
- Family-friendly vibe on weekends
The not-so-great
- Trains fill up on Fridays and game days
- Wi-Fi can be flaky for video
- I haven’t had a café car on this route, so snacks are on you
- Delays happen near Glenview or outside Chicago
- Late-night options are limited, so watch the last train
Timing, frequency, and rhythm
Trains run most of the day, about every couple of hours. Morning and late afternoon feel busiest. If I need quiet, I go mid-day. If I need speed, I go early morning and bring my own breakfast. If you want a broader look at Midwest passenger-rail schedules and advocacy news, the nonprofit ARECO keeps an updated resource page that's worth bookmarking.
Funding and service decisions for the corridor are handled jointly by Illinois and Wisconsin; the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s latest update on the service includes details on recent equipment upgrades and future frequency goals.
Tiny tips that help a lot
- Book early for peak times
- Screenshot your ticket in case Wi-Fi drops
- Bring a snack and water
- If you’re tall, Business Class is worth it
- Sit on the aisle if you plan to hop off fast at Union Station
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early; lines form, and doors don’t wait long
- Plan your last mile in Chicago—CTA, rideshare, or just walk
Who this works for
- Weekday commuters who hate traffic
- Students heading home with backpacks and guitars
- Families with strollers and snacks
- Day-trippers going to museums, the riverwalk, or a game
If your itinerary includes an evening gala, wedding, or black-tie fundraiser in the city and you’d rather not wrangle a garment bag on the train, consider renting your outfit once you arrive through One Night Affair—their extensive selection of designer gowns and formalwear rentals can save both suitcase space and last-minute wardrobe stress.
One of my favorite touristy add-ons was taking the Wrigley Field tour right after hopping off the train—easy Red Line ride and totally worth the time.
If your Midwest leg is just the first stop on a longer trip that swings you out to Southern California—say you’re catching an evening flight from O’Hare to LAX and plan to base yourself in the South Bay suburb of Carson—take a minute to browse the crowd-sourced classifieds on Backpage Carson, where real-time listings for local services, pop-up events, and last-minute rentals can simplify planning and help you lock in what you need before you even land.
My bottom line
You know what? This route makes the Milwaukee–Chicago hop feel easy. Not fancy. Just smooth. I’ve had delays, but I’ve also watched the clock and smiled because I made the meeting and still ate lunch.
I’d give it a solid 4.5 out of 5. I keep riding, and I keep telling friends to try it. Bring a snack, charge your phone, and enjoy the hour and change where no one asks you to merge.