ProRailHelping people travel by train
-- and have more trains to travel

(For a color map showing Amtrak stations and routes in Wisconsin, as well as Amtrak Thruway buses, click here. Use your back browser to return to this ProRail Web site.)

Catching a train for the first time from a station in a small community is a whole new experience, and nothing like catching a plane flight in today’s airport terminals. For many, that’s what makes traveling by train so neat!

Madison is not served directly by Amtrak, but there are stations nearby and there also are bus connections between Chicago and Madison and Milwaukee and Madison. (Amtrak provides direct service to both Chicago and Milwaukee.)

Amtrak has three stations in south central Wisconsin, to the east, northeast and north of Madison. Each is served by one of Amtrak's premiere trains -- the Empire Builder. (For more information on this train, click here).

All three cities also are within a 30-60 minute drive from the capital city. Two are within a couple of miles of an Interstate highway, while the third (Columbus) is served by a modern, four-lane, divided state highway.

All three stations also are in just one county -- Columbia. They are Columbus, Portage and Wisconsin Dells. Chicago, the Twin Cities, Los Angeles and most other large cities and counties have just one Amtrak station -- if that!

Here are our recommendations as to the closest Amtrak station to you, if distance is your only concern, with a link for more details.

East side and east or south of Madison’s east side: Columbus

Northeast side and north/northeast of Madison’s east side: Portage

West or northwest side and north, northwest, or west of Madison’s west side: Wisconsin Dells

To leave from Madison, Coach USA/Van Galder operates Amtrak Thruway buses between Madison, Janesville, Beloit and Rockford to Chicago Union Station. By buying tickets from Amtrak as part of your train trip reservation, you have additional rights in the event of missed connections at Chicago.

Board at the Wisconsin Memorial Union at 800 Langdon St.(the west end of Langdon St.) or the Dutch Mill Park and Ride lot just northeast of the Beltline and U.S. 51 intersection on Madison’s southeast side. Caution: both locations limit parking to just hours (Union) or 48 hours maximum (Dutch Mill), so you may wish to be dropped off. (Note: There is only one small Dutch Mill sign announcing cars will be towed after 48 hours, and it is largely out of view of most of those using the lot.)

(Click here for Wisconsin Union hours and location, and a printable map.)

Otherwise drive to the Coach USA/Van Galder stations in Janesville, S. Beloit, and Rockford where you can leave your car.

At Janesville, parking is free for up to two weeks, although it is not guaranteed at busy times. (In that case, you may wish to proceed to S. Beloit or Rockford.) Obtain a parking permit from the ticket office and display on dashboard.

The Van Galder stops at the Ramada Inn (formerly Holiday Inn) in South Beloit, Ill. (located at Highways 51 and 75). Obtain a parking permit from the Gift Shop located next to Cattails bar and grill (in the Ramada) and park in the north (conference center) lot with the permit displayed. Permits cost $2 a day and must be purchased in advance for the time you will be parked. You also can buy bus tickets at the Gift Shop.

Parking is available in Rockford at both the Van Galder terminal and Clocktowner stops. The fee is $1 a day at the terminal and $2 a day at the Clocktower.

Check with Van Galder at 1-800-747-0994 for more information or visit the FAQ/General Information section of their Web site.

Badger Bus also provides service to its station in downtown Milwaukee just a few blocks from the Amtrak station. Some Milwaukee-bound Badger buses will drop off at Amtrak upon request. Check with Badger Bus for details about this option and connecting between Badger and the Amtrak station on Madison-bound runs.

Some passengers prefer to drive to Metra stations at either Harvard or Fox Lake, Ill., and begin their train trips there. For more information on these options, go to Metra information.

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