Public Transportation in Milwaukee

Milwaukee isn’t known for having an efficient public transportation, and while the downtown and Third Ward areas are very walkable, it’s a city that relies mostly on cars for getting around. There is a public bus system which is fairly reliable and very easy to use. It covers most of the areas that tourists want to visit and, combined with a healthy amount of walking and a few cab rides, can easily get you around for a long weekend visit.

The bus website is very easy to use; just input your starting and ending points and when you want to go. There’s also a downtown trolley that loops around the downtown in summer, stopping at the Milwaukee Art Museum, Third Ward, and the Riverwalk.

Regular fares are $2.25 or 10 rides for $17.50. Drivers don’t carry cash or make change, so have the exact fare or buy passes at any of hundreds of locations around the city.

Taxis are also available in the city, but harder to come by. In most cases, you’ll need to call to have one dispatched, and on busy days (summer weekend and event days) you may wait up to 40 minutes for a cab.