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Amtrak
Rating Details »
11 reviews for Amtrak
I may benefit from the efficiency of the Hiawatha line more than anyone else - seriously, I could if called on measure in feet the distance between places I go between Milwaukee & Chicago, given that the train cuts out 80 miles in 90 minutes.
But this isn't about bragging. This is about expecting that Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress purchase some new, really nice train cars and pay for their upkeep. Add a fast train to Minneapolis via Madison and you would have this fine train station the hub of a small part of a larger high speed intercity network. I would use that shit all the time - I'm a big advocate of trains.
I just used the Hiawatha service for the first time. The trip also marked the first time that i've rode a train in the US. Great experience, through and through. I loved that it was fast and I didn't have to deal with the ridiculousness that is Chicago traffic on top of worrying about parking.
The train is so damn convenient. You get there 10 minutes before departure, get to the train without any security asking you if you have more than three onces of liquid on you (personal eff you, airports), and you don't have to take your shoes off and walk through a metal detector. All great things that make taking the train a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Once on the train, the ride is smooth and the snacks and beverages reasonably priced. I honestly can't recommend Amtrak enough. Keep it in mind on your next trip to Chicago.
During the six years I lived in Milwaukee, I went down to Chicago on average twice a year. For the first three years, I begrudgingly took the Hiawatha Amtrak route because Greyhound was only $5.00 cheaper. Then came Megabus...
I simply can't justify spending $23.00 on a one way trip to Chicago via Amtrak when you can purchase a one way Megabus ticket to Chicago for $1.50. Sure, Amtrak is a quieter, smoother ride. And yes, they don't have any traffic jams, but it doesn't take much longer by bus and Megabus isn't uncomfortable by any means. Both Amtrak and Megabus offer free wi-fi and I found both of their bathrooms to be clean and well maintained. If money were no object, I would hesitantly take the Amtrak (I've delt with some incredibly rude and condescending customer service reps), but in reality it is. I would rather save $43.00 by taking the Megabus and spend that extra cash on a nice dinner.
The Hiawatha Amtrak train service between Milwaukee and Chicago is a good choice for traveling in reasonable comfort and time and hassle savings over a car. You arrive in downtown Chicago at Union Station, just a short walk to many downtown attractions. You can catch the #151 bus outside Union Station to get into the loop and up North Michigan Avenue as well as back to Union Station. Get the Chicago Card from http://chicago-card.com if you use this bus frequently. Union Station is also a major hub for the Metra trains to get out to the burbs.
The Milwaukee station also serves the Empire Builder schedule traveling to the west. If you don't want to come to downtown Milwaukee to catch the train, there is a stop at Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport (MKE). Sturtevant (west of Racine) now has a nice-looking station.
In general, I've found the experience positive. I've ridden Amtrak between Albany and New York's Penn station many times, and I have to say the Hiawatha has been more reliable. I have found that most (not all) of the Hiawatha trains I rode ran on time (I've only experienced one major (1+ hr) delay over the years). The morning trains can be crowded, but I've always found a seat. You might consider bringing a personal audio device with headphones or seeking out the quiet car if you don't like hearing conversations around you. I also bring my own beverage and snack because not all of the trains offer their food cart service which doesn't look that appealing.
The Milwaukee Amtrak station has undergone serious renovation. Formerly designed as a forbidding, ugly bunker in the modernist style by Daniel Grieb, it was re-opened in 2007 with a glass-enclosed atrium at the front and a spacious, well-designed customer-oriented layout.
The station's intermodal transit aspects have improved greatly also. Much like South Station in Boston, its location includes bus lines, and this enables you to connect to regional and local buses from the same location. The Amtrak is worth trying out if you have never taken it, and I have found it to be a reliable and comfortable way to travel.
I believe this is supposed to be about the Amtrak Station, not the trains. The station was god-awful, but lovable in a tacky sort of way for many years. As of just a month ago, it's reopened in a new, glassed in glory. It's really nice. The only thing missing is a decent restaurant, or bar - that would be a great addition to bring some more life to this part of down town. And there is FREE WIFI in the station - not bad! Tearing down that useless freeway which cuts the station off from the city would be another great improvement!
As for the trains, they're awesome and steadily improving. By far the best way to get between Milwaukee and Chicago. Give me some free wi-fi on the train and faster trains and it'll be 5 stars all the way.
I travel to the Windy City three or four times a year for both business and pleasure. The Hiawatha service gets me from Downtown Milwaukee to Chicago's loop in a little over an hour. This is simply the best way to travel between the cities of Milwaukee and Chicago. The price is $40 round trip, which might be prohibitively expensive for regular commuting, but when you factor in things like gas, parking in Chicago, and the ease and convenience of being dropped off in the Loop without having to deal with any Chicago traffic, the price is well worth it.
Unlike Carrie, I have never encountered stalled or slowed trains in the winter. Also, the Milwaukee station was recently remodelled with a glassy, modern atrium and waiting area. So the experience of the Milwaukee station is vastly improved.
The new station is great. It's clean and bright, plus there are some amenities like free WiFi, and bike parking (1 locker for 2 separate bikes +bike racks).
Bus #57 stops right in front of the station and there are several other bus routes within a few blocks. There are always taxis standing by and there are several parking lots surrounding the station.
Greyhound is on the other side of the station.
Amtrak's Hiawatha train route from Milwaukee to Chicago (vice versa) is a mixed bag experience. I've been taking this train for five years when I've seen it at its best and worst. The passenger trains are big and roomy. On the earliest trains, they are packed with businessman and tourists. There is beverage service, but it tends to be very pricey for something that you could have gotten in a vending machine or in the Chicago Union Station terminal. The ride is generally very fast, but I say generally. Overall, it's a decent local system, far from being fantastic.
The pros of the Hiawatha Amtrak train are fast, comfortable, quiet, building the Airport station, creation of the quiet car, and renovations on the Milwaukee station.
The cons are frozen tracks in the winter, delays for freight trains to pass by Amtrak, dirty stations, highly unorganized, and other delays.
Fastest way to Chicago bar none. Also quite affordable and less stressful.
But coolest, most comfortable, classiest? No.
The new station looks cool too...but it still seems very cheesy inside anyway.
Best way to get up to Milwaukee from Chicago....yes it a little more expensive that Greyhound, but smoother, quieter, spacier, and less annoying passengers! You could fall asleep and wake up when you get there. The "Quiet Car" didn't stay quiet for long but overall still a nice peaceful ride to the Milwaukee.
the hiawatha service was convenient and cheap... however, they really should consider cleaning the bathrooms. i stayed far from them but on the way out i unfortunately caught a glimpse.
