United States

How to get from Milwaukee to Minneapolis

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
5h 30min
💶
From
49€
📍
Distance
479 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Best option from Milwaukee to Minneapolis: Bus — both the fastest and the cheapest, about 5h 30min – 7h, from €49. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 6, 2026): Greyhound, FlixBus; main departure point: Milwaukee Bus Station.

Distance: 479 km. Data updated on .

There are 2 ways to get from Milwaukee to Minneapolis

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Bus
5h 30min – 7h
CHEAPEST FASTEST
49 – 56 €
View
Flight (1 stop)
6h 15min
285 €
View
✈️ Also compare flights on Trip.com ›
🚌 Departure from Milwaukee
📍Intercity buses in Milwaukee generally leave from the downtown area, with the Intermodal Station on St. Paul Avenue being the main hub. Always confirm the exact boarding address on your e-ticket, as it depends on the operator and departure.
🚇From downtown Milwaukee you can walk or take a local city bus to the station area. A taxi or rideshare is simple if you have luggage. From the airport, use a city bus or a rideshare into the centre.
⏰Departures run several times a day, with options from early morning to evening. Exact times vary by operator and day, so check the booking page and avoid the last departure to keep a safety margin.
💸 Transport from 49€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 5h 30min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 6, 2026 for a departure on November 27, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Greyhound Bus Milwaukee Bus Station €49 7
FlixBus Bus Milwaukee Airport €51 4
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Practical tips

💡
Compare door-to-door, not just the ride

A flight with a stopover adds airport transfers, check-in, security and a connection. Before choosing it, count the whole journey. Often the bus is just as practical and spares you a full day lost to delays.

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Confirm the exact boarding point

Read your e-ticket carefully: US bus stops can be a street curb rather than a station. Check the address on a map the day before, so you do not end up at the wrong stop.

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Check the arrival point too

Minneapolis and St. Paul are neighbouring cities, so arrival stops can differ. Look up where your bus drops you and how you will reach your accommodation, especially if you arrive in the evening.

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Avoid the last departure of the day

Choose an earlier departure so you keep a safety margin. If a delay or a full bus happens, you can still take the next one instead of being stranded overnight in a city you do not know.

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Book early for the best fares

Cheap bus seats sell out first, especially on weekends and holidays. Book ahead, keep your e-ticket on your phone, and travel light, since this route is a long day on the road.

The journey experience

Milwaukee to Minneapolis is a long Midwest haul across Wisconsin, and the choice is simpler than it looks. A bus and a flight with a stopover end up surprisingly close in door-to-door effort, so price, luggage and convenience should decide. The comparison table on this page shows duration, price range and frequency side by side, so you can see at a glance which option suits your trip.

The intercity bus is the budget-friendly choice. You get a city-centre to city-centre ride with reclining seats, usually power outlets and Wi-Fi, and your luggage goes under the bus with no baggage-fee surprises. There is no airport security to clear and no transfer out to the airport. A flight with a stopover can look faster on paper, but you still have to add the trip to the airport, check-in, security, the connection and the ride into town at the other end. A missed connection can cost you the whole day.

Before you book, check the exact boarding point on your e-ticket. In the US a bus stop can be a curb or a station, and it is not always where you expect. Arrive a little early, keep your confirmation on your phone, and book ahead for the best fares, since cheap seats go first. If you travel light and want to keep costs down, the bus is a safe, simple choice.

Frequently asked questions — Milwaukee → Minneapolis

Why visit Minneapolis?

  • ✓ Cycle or stroll around the Chain of Lakes, including Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska, right in the city
  • ✓ Explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and its iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry, then visit the Walker Art Center
  • ✓ Discover the historic Mill District and the Stone Arch Bridge, with views over the Mississippi and St. Anthony Falls
  • ✓ See a show or a concert at First Avenue, the legendary Prince-linked club, or catch a game at U.S. Bank Stadium
  • ✓ Taste the local food scene at Eat Street and Midtown Global Market, and try a Juicy Lucy burger
🌙
Recommended stay
2 to 4 nights — enough to cover museums, lakes and food without rushing

When to visit Minneapolis?

HUMID CONTINENTAL CLIMATE

June to September — warm, sunny days ideal for lakes and festivals, while winters are very cold and snowy

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😞
Apr 😐
May 😐
Jun 😊
Jul 😊
Aug 😊
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
📍
In Minneapolis — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Minneapolis
Compare the best rates available
via trip.com

What to do in Minneapolis?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🎨
Minneapolis Institute of Art
One of the best encyclopedic art museums in the Midwest, with over 90,000 works from Asian art to European masters. General admission is free every day. Go on a weekday morning to avoid crowds, and check the period rooms and the Japanese collection. Closed Mondays; allow 2 to 3 hours.
🌊
Minnehaha Regional Park Falls
A 16-metre waterfall immortalized by Longfellow's poem Hiawatha, set in a wooded gorge in the city. Entry is free. Walk down the stairs to the base and follow the creek toward the Mississippi. Visit in spring for peak flow; in winter the falls freeze into a spectacular ice column.
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Chain of Lakes by Bike
Cycle or walk around Lake of the Isles, Bde Maka Ska and Lake Harriet on well-maintained paths, with separate lanes for bikes and pedestrians. Nice Ride bikes start around 1€ to unlock plus a small per-minute fee. Stop at the Lake Harriet Bandshell for free summer concerts and sunset views.
🌉
Stone Arch Bridge and Mill District
This 1883 railway bridge is the best spot to view Saint Anthony Falls and the downtown skyline. Free to cross on foot or by bike. Come at golden hour for photos, then visit the Mill City Museum (around 12€) inside a restored flour mill, with a rooftop-style observation deck and a Gold Medal Flour history.
🗿
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
Home to the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry, this 4.5-hectare garden is among the largest urban sculpture parks in the US. Free and open daily from 6am to midnight. Pair it with the Walker Art Center next door (around 14€), and visit at dusk when the park is quiet.
🍔
Jucy Lucy at a Local Bar
The Jucy Lucy, a burger stuffed with molten cheese, was born in Minneapolis. Try it at Matt's Bar in South Minneapolis, a cash-friendly neighbourhood institution open since the 1950s. Expect to pay around 9€ with fries. Let it cool a minute before biting, as the cheese is scalding.
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Northeast Minneapolis Brewery Crawl
The Northeast arts district has one of the densest craft beer clusters in the US, including Surly-style taprooms, Indeed Brewing and Sociable Cider Werks. Pints cost around 6€. Walk between taprooms, many of which allow outside food or have food trucks. Go Thursday to Saturday evening for the liveliest atmosphere.
🎸
Prince's First Avenue Legacy
The black-starred venue from Purple Rain is still a top live music club. Check the calendar and book tickets online, usually from 15€ to 40€. Look for the star plaques on the exterior wall honouring performers. Arrive early for the main room, and try the smaller 7th St Entry for emerging acts.

How long to visit Minneapolis?

2 to 4 days

Plan 2 to 4 days. Two days cover the essentials: the Mill City Museum, the Stone Arch Bridge, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Walker Art Center. With 3 to 4 days, add the Chain of Lakes by bike, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, First Avenue and a day trip to St. Paul. Book a hotel downtown or near Uptown, rent a bike in summer, and use the skyways in winter to stay out of the cold.

Related searches

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