- Must visit
Milwaukee Art Museum
Major lakefront art museum known for its striking Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion and strong collections of American and decorative arts.
Cheapest price
$43
Average price
$43
Fastest journey
1 h 40 m
Average duration
1 h 41 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
138 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI will cost around $43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $43.
Of the 2 trains that leave Portage, WI for Milwaukee, WI on Sat, May 30, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, May 30 the direct trains cover the 138 km distance in an average of 1 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 40 m .
On Sat, May 30 the slowest trains will take 1 h 42 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $17. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 1h 40m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $17, and a bus costs an average of $21.
Distance: 85 miles (138 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$17 Average price Cheapest | $49 Average price | $20 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 54m Average total duration 2h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 31m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI:
A train is $32 (€25) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI costing on average $49 (€39).
Other travel options to Milwaukee, WI take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 24m.
Tickets start at around {cheapestPrice} compared to roughly {drivingPriceInCents} in fuel and tolls — a saving of about {savingsAmount}. The journey takes {durationInMinutes} versus {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI trains for today, Friday, May 29. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8 Empire Builder | 1:17 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 1h40 | 2:57 PM Milwaukee Intermodal Station, Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
8 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis | 1:17 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 4h41 | 5:58 PM Airport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI | 1 transfer | |
28 Empire Builder · 1340 Borealis | 1:17 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 4h41 | 5:58 PM Airport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI | 1 transfer | |
28 Empire Builder | 1:17 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 1h40 | 2:57 PM Milwaukee Intermodal Station, Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
1340 Borealis · 342 Hiawatha Service | 3:45 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 3h59 | 7:44 PM Airport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI | 1 transfer | |
1340 Borealis | 3:45 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 1h57 | 5:42 PM Milwaukee Intermodal Station, Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
1340 Borealis | 3:45 PM Portage Station, Portage, WI | 2h13 | 5:58 PM Airport Amtrak Station, Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, May 30 | |||||
![]() | 1:17 PM Portage, WI | 1h40 | 2:57 PM Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 3:58 PM Portage, WI | 1h42 | 5:40 PM Milwaukee, WI | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI run on average 5 times per day, taking around 1h 40m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $17 (€14) if you book in advance.
There are 3 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:24, the last at 16:45. The fastest train covers the 85 miles (138 km) distance in 1h 40m.
Distance 85 miles (138 km) |
Average train duration 1h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price $17 (€14) |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 3 |
Fastest train 1h 40m |
First train 7:24 AM |
Last train 4:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Milwaukee — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Milwaukee trip today.
Major lakefront art museum known for its striking Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion and strong collections of American and decorative arts.
Flagship museum for the iconic motorcycle brand, featuring historic bikes, engines, and exhibits on Harley-Davidson culture and design.
Long-running natural history and culture museum famous for immersive exhibits like the Streets of Old Milwaukee and large science collections.
Signature pedestrian route along the river through downtown, lined with public art, bridges, and city views; ideal for first-time visitors.
Trendy warehouse district known for boutiques, galleries, design shops, and photogenic streetscapes, especially popular with visitors and locals.
Scenic walking and biking route along Lake Michigan connecting beaches, parks, and skyline viewpoints.
A classic Milwaukee and Wisconsin sausage, commonly grilled and served on a roll with mustard, onions, and sauerkraut, reflecting the city’s strong German heritage.
A rich soup made with local beer and cheddar, especially associated with Wisconsin’s brewing and cheese traditions.
Fresh Wisconsin cheese curds battered and fried until golden, a beloved local snack and bar food staple.
An established steakhouse with an old-school supper club feel, known for prime steaks, cocktails, and polished service.
A landmark Milwaukee brewery and restaurant known for beer, cheese curds, fish fry, and a lively, casual atmosphere on the river.
A famous local institution for frozen custard and large burgers, offering a classic Milwaukee fast-casual experience.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Casual dining and coffee are reasonable, while hotels and fine dining cost more in peak periods.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5 as appropriate.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Portage, WI to Milwaukee, WI by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Milwaukee, WI, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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