All aboard! It's full steam ahead for fun in Milwaukee on Amtrak's Borealis Line, with service between the Minneapolis-St. Paul area and Milwaukee. The train is a scenic, convenient and relaxing way to get from point A to B and from MSP to the heart of downtown MKE. Now offering daily service between the Twin Cities and Milwaukee, the rail line has proven to be a popular mode of travel, serving over 100,000 passengers in just five months of operation.
With trips starting at $70, in just six hours–the same time it takes to drive between the two cities–you can kick back and revel in the romantic magic of rail travel as you watch the Midwestern countryside whiz by your window. Maybe you're headed to the Cream City to visit family. Maybe you're here to see the Bucks and Timberwolves lock horns. Or maybe you're here to explore our Fresh Coast culture, our dining scene that enticed "Top Chef" to make Milwaukee its top choice, or our sensational museums dotting Milwaukee's map. No matter what you've got in store for your Amtrak getaway, Milwaukee's got all that and more.
Here's everything you need to know to make your trip from the Twin Cities to Milwaukee a breeze aboard the Amtrak Borealis.
Step 1: Book Your Trip
Punch your ticket to Milwaukee at Amtrak.com. The Borealis Line runs once daily, pulling out of Union Depot at 11:40 a.m. and arriving in Milwaukee at 5:40 p.m., just in time to check in to your hotel, grab a bite and plan your night.
Cost
Tickets roundtrip tickets start at just $70. Compare that to driving between the two cities, and you'd likely spend more on gas (an estimated $71).
Time
The trip between Union Depot and the Milwaukee Intermodal Station takes around six hours.
What You'll Need
Here are some things you'll want to bring along to maximize your time on the train:
- Luggage: Pack for your trip. Overpack for your trip if you like. Amtrak allows two carry-on items and one personal item per passenger.
- Snacks: Amtrak offers a snack car, but if you have something specific you'd like to munch on in transit, feel free to bring it onboard. If you need to re-stock before you chug along to the train, Union Depot has a coffee shop, vending machines and a Farmer's Fridge with salads and wraps.
- Headphones: Bring a pair along to stream your favorite artists on Spotify, catch up on your favorite podcasts, play games on your phone, and maybe finally do that Duolingo lesson so that the app stops sending you push notifications.
- Entertainment: Bring a book (or pick one up at Story Line Books), a laptop or even just your phone to keep you company as you unwind on your trip.
- Chargers: The Amtrak Borealis Line has charging outlets along the wall on both sides of the railcars.
Step 2: Head to Union Depot
Union Depot is located just outside Minneapolis, in its twin city, St. Paul. If you plan to make the trip from downtown Minneapolis, here are the best ways to get to the station.
By Car
Around a 15-minute drive from the heart of the city (depending on traffic and weather patterns), the train station offers several different parking options, with rates as low as $2 a day. You can practically roll up to your terminal! Find your parking spot here.
By Rideshare
If you'd rather leave the driving to someone else, rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are available to drop you off to embark on your Milwaukee adventure. The trip will take roughly 15 minutes (pending traffic), with variable fares likely ranging between $25 and $35 (but subject to change based on demand).
By Bus
For a more budget-friendly approach, hop on the bus. Express Route 94D will take you from the Ramp B/5th St. Transit Center to Union Depot in under half an hour for just $2.50 during non-rush hour times.
By Light Rail
Maybe you'd prefer to ride the rails the whole way. Well, you're in luck. The Metro Green Line is here to get you to Union Depot in around 50 minutes. Like the bus route, fares to get to the station will run you $2.50 during non-rush hour stops.
Boarding
Now that you're at the station and you've got everything you need to enjoy your experience aboard the Amtrak Borealis Line, it's time to board. Passengers are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Follow the crew's instructions, select your seat and set yourself up for a comfortable ride to Milwaukee.
Accessibility
Both Union Depot and the Milwaukee Intermodal Station are committed to providing a quality experience for every rider aboard the Amtrak Borealis Line, including accessible seating, early boarding and more. Visit Amtrak's website for more accessibility information.
Step 3: Kick Back and Relax
This is the best part! Instead of sitting in traffic, stumbling into slow construction zones or dealing with that driver, your job is to sit back and enjoy the ride. But now that you've got some time, here are some thoughts on what you could do on the six-hour train trip to Milwaukee:
- Plan your Cream City adventure, meticulously mapping out every second of your stay.
- Look out the window and watch the picturesque countryside, lakes and towns flash past your window as you rumble along.
- Catch up on your favorite podcasts, like Joshing Around, or listen to your favorite artist coming to the Milwaukee Theater District.
- Watch highlights of Giannis' latest jam, Bobby Portis' big plays and Dame's deep threes as the Bucks continue to chase greatness this season.
- Play flash I-Spy with a travel companion. It's harder than you think.
- Draw the Bronze Fonz from memory in a notebook or napkin. Why not?
- Read the Visit Milwaukee blog for five consecutive hours. Then, re-read your favorites.
- Make a TikTok. More specifically, make the copywriter appear in several TikToks.
- Take a nap and dream of your Milwaukee adventure ahead.
Arrival
That's it! You pull into the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, less than a mile from it all. Grab your stuff, check that you haven't left anything behind, and make your way to your hotel in the early evening. And just like that, you're well on your way to an exciting Milwaukee Amtrak getaway. Get your tickets today at Amtrak.com.
