We spend probably waaaayyyy too much time at our hometown airport, General Mitchell (MKE), so we know a thing or two about the Milwaukee Airport. We often find ourselves at the airport 5-10 times a month, but for those that don’t visit quite as often as we do we put together this guide on Milwaukee Airport Parking and the best spots inside the terminals.
Our goal is to help you start or end your trip smoothly, and hopefully save you a few dollars while doing so. Travel days can be stressful, but follow this guide to make your visit to the Milwaukee airport a little bit better!
Milwaukee Airport FAQ
1. What is the Milwaukee Airport Code?
MKE is the airport code for the Milwaukee General Mitchel International Airport.
2. How many terminals are there at the Milwaukee Airport?
There are 3 concourses: Concourse C, D, and E. International flights arrive at the international arrivals terminal.
3. How early before my flight should I arrive at the Milwaukee airport?
The airlines advise you to be at the airport 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. We find the airport is the busiest for the early morning flights 5 am-8 am flights and therefore security lines are the longest.
Make sure to check in online at home before your flight and have your boarding pass either printed or the mobile boarding pass on hand, this will speed up the process.
If you aren’t checking a bag and you have a boarding pass you should be fine with 75 minutes before your flight.
The Milwaukee airport is rather small and because we both have TSA precheck we typically drop our bags off at the check-in counter one hour before our flight. We also are Sky Priority level with Delta due to how much we travel so we have a much shorter line. Typically we take the airport shuttle, drop our bags off at Delta, go through TSA pre-check security, and seated at our gate within 15 minutes.
4. Where is the cheapest Milwaukee airport parking?
The cheapest prices are on Way.com where they compare prices for several nearby Milwaukee airport parking lots with local hotels and companies that offer parking and airport shuttles. We personally have used Way.com several times parking both at Wally Park (now closed)band the Super 8 hotel. Prices vary based on the dates and length of stay. We’ve often score parking for $3 a day.
5. Is there free Wi-Fi at the Milwaukee Airport?
Yes, there is and it’s actually useable! Just join the network “Boingo Hotpot” and then launch an internet browser. For the free wifi, you’ll have to watch a sponsored video, and then you’re connected.
Related: A local’s Guide to the best things to do in Milwaukee
How To Find The Cheapest Airport Parking
As mentioned above we always compare different parking lots using Way.com typically the cheapest is at Super 8 motel. Check all parking options on Way.
If you are picking up or dropping someone off at the airport, the parking ramp attached to the airport is free for the first 30 minutes and then it’s $2 an hour with a max of $24 a day in the hourly ramp and $14 a day in the daily ramp.
Which Airlines Fly Out of Milwaukee
The following airlines offer flights out of Milwaukee::
- Air Canada
- Alaska
- American Airlines
- Contour Airlines
- Delta
- Frontier
- Jet Blue
- Southwest
- Spirit
- Sun Country Airlines
- United
There are also charter flights for Apple Vacations & Funjet Vacations served by Swift Air. During the winter season, there are daily flights out of snowy Milwaukee to the warm Caribbean Islands. We’ve personally booked Apple Vacation deals with direct flights to Jamaica.
Milwaukee Airport Terminals and Airlines
Which Airlines Fly Out of Concourse C
- Air Canada
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Apple Vacations/Funjet Vacations
Which Airlines Fly Out of Concourse D
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Apple Vacations/Funjet Vacations
- Delta Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
Which Airlines Fly Out of Concourse E
Currently, no airlines are flying out of Concourse E.
Best Milwaukee Airport Restaurants
Restaurants Before Security
Depending on how much time you have and what restaurants are open near your gate you may want to grab a bite to eat before going through security at one of these restaurants.
Miller Brewhouse – Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a full bar. If you get to the airport with some time to spare fill up for a travel day. Some of our favorites include fried cheese curds, their specialty grilled cheese sandwiches, and their Wisconsin butter bacon cheeseburger.
- Hours: Daily 6 am – 8 pm
- Prices: $8-12
Northpoint Frozen Custard – This is our go-to restaurant at the Milwaukee airport and it’s reasonably priced too. If you didn’t get a chance to try some Milwaukee frozen custard do it now or if you’re like us and can’t get enough of it this is a great spot to grab a dish.
Some of our favorites: $3.99 cheese fries, $4.99 Johnsonville grilled brat, $5.39 1/4lb butter burger $3.99 grilled cheese, $3.29 single dish/cone of frozen custard, $4.29 double dish/cone of frozen custard, and $5.99 turtle sundae.
- Hours: Daily 11 am – 8 pm
- Prices: $3-9
Quiznos Sub – Hot sub sandwiches made fresh to order. Service is always really quick and a great meal to grab and bring with you on the plane – Just remember you can’t bring your drinks through security.
- Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm and Sunday 11am – 8pm
- Prices: Average $8 sandwich
Starbucks – If you’ve got an early morning flight, make sure to stop at the Starbucks before security as it most likely will be the only thing open. They have a variety of sandwiches, bagels, croissants, yogurt, etc. The only downside if you order a beverage you have to finish it before going through security.
- Open daily 24 hours
- Prices average Starbuck prices may 50 cents to $1 more
Famous Famiglia – Pizza by the slice, pasta, salad, and stromboli. If you are flying out of the D concourse we’d suggest waiting for better pizza at Nonna Bartolotta’s To-Go where they sell pizza by the slice.
- Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 9pm and Sunday 11am – 8pm
- Prices: $5+ slices
Related: Best Restaurants in Milwaukee – A Local Foodie Guide
Concourse C
Chili’s – Your typical Chili’s restaurant offering a breakfast menu along with the usual lunch/dinner options.
- Hours: Sunday – Friday 5am – pm and Saturday 5am – 730pm
- Prices: $8+
French Meadow Bakery & Cafe – Sandwiches, bakery soups, salads, and more.
- Hours: Daily 4 am – 7 pm
- Prices: $6 soups, $10+ grilled sandwiches, $3+ bakery
Pizzeria Piccola – As the name suggests they have pizza but also a full menu & bar including soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
- Prices: $12 personal pizza’s, $10 sandwiches with chips, 11 salads,
Auntie Anne’s – Pretzels with a variety of dipping sauces and pretzel dogs.
- Hours: Daily 5:30am – 8pm
- Prices: $4+
Valentine Coffee Roasters – Local coffee roasting company offering coffee, smoothies, and bakery items.
- Prices $3+
Vino Volo – A wine bar with food to pair, we suggest the cheese plate. Glasses of wine start at $8 which isn’t bad for airport pricing.
- Hours: 10am -8pm
- Prices: $8+
Concourse D
Johnny Rockets- Popular chain restaurant is known for the burgers and shakes but also offers kids meals ($5.99), salads ($4.99+), and sandwiches.
- Hours: Monday – Thursday 11am – 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am -10pm, and Sunday 11am -7pm
- Prices: $5-11
Leinenkugel’s Leinie Lodge – If you’re of age, get a pint of fresh Leinenkugel’s on tap before boarding your flight. For all ages, we highly suggest getting an order of cheese curds.
- Prices: $6+
Usingers – Known for their famous sausages but they also offer a full menu including some of our favorites: cheddar cheese curds, chicken tenders, sandwiches, and butter burgers.
- Hours: Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm and closed on Sunday
- Prices: $10-$14
Starbucks – Standard Starbucks menu with some sandwiches, bagels, desserts, etc. They accept payment via the Starbucks app and we find this is a great place to cash in on free drink rewards.
- Hours: Daily 4am – 8pm
- Prices average Starbuck prices may 50 cents to $1 more
Nonna Bartolotta’s & Nonna’s To-Go – This is the most popular restaurant in Concourse C and it’s always busy. They are known to have slow service so if you are short on time consider getting going to Nonna’s To-Go.
- Hours: Daily 5am – 8pm
- Price: $10-15
Valentine Coffee Roasters –Local coffee roasting company offering coffee, smoothies, and bakery items
- Prices $3+
Concourse E
There are no restaurants or stores in Concourse E as of now and no airlines are currently using this concourse.
Milwaukee Airport For Family Travelers
If you are traveling as a family with young kids make sure to stop by the children’s play areas, there is one located in Concourse C across from Chili’s and in Concourse D between gates D30 & D34.
If you’re a breastfeeding mother and are looking for a quiet and private place to nurse or pump look for the Mamava breastfeeding & lactation suites. There are 3 Mamava’s located in the Milwaukee airport
- Main terminal across from the Miller Brewhouse
- Concourse D near gate D36
- Concourse C near gate C9
All bathrooms are equipped with changing tables. There are several family bathrooms throughout the airport as well that have plenty of room for strollers.
Related: A Weekend Guide to Milwaukee – How to spend the perfect long weekend in the city!
Milwaukee Airport Lounges
We are priority pass holders and sadly there isn’t a priority pass lounge at MKE. There are two other airport lounges though:
- Delta Airlines Delta Sky Club – Located in Concourse D, Open Sunday – Friday 4:45am – 7:15pm and Saturday 4:45am – 5pm
- USO Lounge- Located in Concourse D for active-duty military members, Open daily 8am – 8pm
Don’t Forget to Pin me for Later!
*This article was in collaboration with Way.com but all thoughts are our own.
Heather
Monday 7th of February 2022
Please include transportation to and from Milwaukee Airport.