How much does a one-week (7 days) trip to Milwaukee cost?

A one week trip to Milwaukee costs $1,498 per person on average. This information comes from the actual expenses of travelers and includes accommodation, food, local transportation, sightseeing, and other typical travel costs.

How much does a two-week (14 days) trip to Milwaukee cost?

Two weeks in Milwaukee costs $2,996 per person on average. This information comes from the actual expenses of travelers and includes accommodation, food, local transportation, sightseeing, and other typical travel costs.

How much does a one-month (4 weeks) trip to Milwaukee cost?

One month in Milwaukee costs $6,420 per person on average. This information comes from the actual expenses of travelers and includes accommodation, food, local transportation, sightseeing, and other typical travel costs.

How much do hotels cost in Milwaukee?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Accommodation in Milwaukee is $99

How much does transportation cost in Milwaukee?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Transportation in Milwaukee is $38

How much does food cost in Milwaukee?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Food in Milwaukee is $90

How much do alcoholic beverages cost in Milwaukee?

The average daily cost per person, per day for Alcohol in Milwaukee is $33

Milwaukee Travel Cost - Average Price of a Vacation to Milwaukee: Food & Meal Budget, Daily & Weekly Expenses

Q: How much does it cost to travel to Milwaukee?

$214 is the average daily price for traveling in Milwaukee. The average price of meals in Milwaukee for one day is $90. The average price of local transportation in Milwaukee for one day is $38. The average price of a hotel in Milwaukee for a couple is $197.

Milwaukee is an undiscovered city known for its many breweries and its baseball culture. In this travel cost guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to plan your travel budget and have an amazing trip without spending too much. This guide includes average trip costs from previous travelers, typical hotel prices, food and dining costs, entertainment and sightseeing prices, and information about transportation.

How much does it cost to travel to Milwaukee?

You should plan to spend around $214 per day on your vacation in Milwaukee. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

$90 on meals
$38 on local transportation
$197 on hotels

A one week trip to Milwaukee for two people costs, on average, $2,996. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

Travel Style:
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

$214

One Week Per person

$1,498
2 Weeks Per person

$2,996
One Month Per person

$6,420
One Week For a couple

$2,996
2 Weeks For a couple

$5,992
One Month For a couple

$12,840

This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. .

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Milwaukee cost?

A one week trip to Milwaukee usually costs around $1,498 for one person and $2,996 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Milwaukee on average costs around $2,996 for one person and $5,992 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Milwaukee will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Milwaukee on average costs around $6,420 for one person and $12,840 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Is Milwaukee expensive to visit?

Milwaukee is a smaller destination that attracts travelers with diverse styles, spending habits, and budgetary preferences. Budget-conscious travelers will find suitable hotel options, but there are also high-end hotels for those seeking luxury, plus mid-range accommodations for families or couples.

If you're not cautious, Milwaukee can become costly, but you can save with strategies like looking for discounts and coupons.

On average, budget travelers spend $94 per day, mid-range travelers spend $214 per day, and luxury travelers spend around $406 per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Milwaukee.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Milwaukee is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Pocono Mountains or Myrtle Beach.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Milwaukee Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Milwaukee?

The average Milwaukee trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Milwaukee travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Milwaukee cost?

Milwaukee on a Budget

Category	Budget	Mid-Range	Luxury
Accommodation ¹ For 1 person in double occupancy	$43	$99	$188
Local Transportation ¹	$17	$38	$74
Food ²	$39	$90	$168
Entertainment ¹	$11	$26	$51
Alcohol ²	$7-22	$16-49	$31-94

Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget

It's important to set realistic expectations for your travel budget in Milwaukee. While many think they can cut costs for many things, the reality is that most people won't enjoy such a low-budget experience. Consider your preferences and travel style. Do you like resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or hostels? Are activities and dining out a big part of your travel plans? Your answers will shape your budget and itinerary.

What Defines a Budget Traveler?

While you might think you're a budget traveler, without giving up many of your usual comforts, you'll likely need to spend more than the $94 per day that backpackers often spend.

Backpackers often work within this tight budget by staying in hostel dorms, eating fast food or street food, using public transit, and mainly visiting free attractions.

So, are you average?

If you're a couple or a family on a fun getaway, you might want to choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at well-liked restaurants, and visit the key museums and attractions that come with entry fees. It's common for visitors to Milwaukee to seek out the major attractions, museums, and significant landmarks. Most activities are not free, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to plan on a daily budget of about $214 per person, per day.

There are plenty of hotels and vacation rentals available in Milwaukee. If you're traveling with companions, sharing a hotel with a partner, friend, or kids can help lower costs. Families should seek out hotels and dining options that are suitable for children. The Pfister Hotel is a wonderful family-friendly hotel, and Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Airport is another excellent choice. For more family and couple-oriented hotels, visit our hotel cost guide for Milwaukee here.

Want to Escape the Daily Grind in Style?

If your ideal trip includes every luxury and top-tier service, be ready to budget around $406 per day. A stay at nicer hotels, meals at prestigious restaurants, fancy excursions, and getting around the city with taxis or private drivers will cost you more. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Milwaukee Private or Public Pedal Tavern Tour - offered by Viator.

Accommodation Budget in Milwaukee

In Milwaukee, hotel prices can be quite surprising. Higher-end hotels offer more amenities and luxury, but come at a higher price tag, especially during the peak summer season. Off-season prices average around $139, but in peak season, they can average around $259. Prices generally range from $100 to $425, and hostels remain the cheaper option. Booking early or traveling during the low season can save you money, and you might find special deals along the way.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid in Milwaukee for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $197. For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $99 per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.

Accommodation¹ Hotel or hostel for one person

$99
Accommodation¹ Typical double-occupancy room

$197

Hotels in Milwaukee

Looking for a hotel in Milwaukee? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

The most affordable highest rated hotels in Milwaukee include:

The Pfister Hotel starting at $242
Kimpton Journeyman Hotel starting at $274
Saint Kate The Arts Hotel starting at $231
The Westin Milwaukee starting at $231
Milwaukee Marriott Downtown starting at $223

Tips to Save Money on Accommodation in Milwaukee

Choosing to travel outside of summer and in the low or shoulder season will give you lower hotel prices and less tourist congestion.

Recommended Properties

Transportation Budget in Milwaukee

Milwaukee lacks an efficient public transit system. There are buses that travel around town.

You'll find that parts of Milwaukee are quite pedestrian-friendly, making sightseeing a breeze. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

Public Transit: (moderate)
Walkability: (good)

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Milwaukee. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Milwaukee is significantly more than public transportation.
Transportation¹ Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

$38

Transportation Tips

Be sure your hotel has hassle-free parking if you're planning to drive.

Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:

Arrival Transfer from Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee by SUV for $81 details
Departure Transfer from Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE by SUV for $81 details

Recommended Services

Flights to Milwaukee

How much does it cost to go to Milwaukee? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Milwaukee

The price of renting a car in Milwaukee will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.

Food Budget in Milwaukee

In Milwaukee, the selection of food is limited and not particularly impressive. It might be a good idea to spend less on meals and more on activities that are more enjoyable. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

While restaurant and meal prices in Milwaukee can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Milwaukee is $90 per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
Food² Meals for one day

$90

When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Milwaukee is around $90 ($90) per person, with previous travelers spending from $39 to $168. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.

Typical meal prices in Milwaukee are as follows:

Breakfast: $9 to $27
Lunch: $13 to $36
Dinner: $27 to $63
Coffee: $7
Fast Food or Street Food: $13

With its immigrant heritage, Milwaukee is a major restaurant city. Good local restaurants serve almost every kind of food imaginable, usually quite inexpensively. Different neighborhoods have different specialties when it comes to food. Old World Third St along (and just west of) the Milwaukee River provides a richer variety of restaurants and also many of the more upscale restaurants and clubs in town. Traditional Germanic and Mediterranean foods are the highlights.

Milwaukee St, between Wisconsin and Wells Streets, offers many trendy and top rated restaurants in the city as well as an upscale nightlife for the after dinner drink.

The east side also has many nice restaurants, bakeries, and cafes. Most places are clustered on Farwell, North, or Brady Streets. The Fifth Ward and South Side contain many different authentic and cheap Mexican and Latin American restaurants.

Bay View has a variety of different kinds of places, especially with regards to "hip" comfort food.

Food & Dining Tips

Some hotels include breakfast in the overall cost, while others add it as an extra charge. The quality and price of breakfast can vary greatly depending on the hotel. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you need to set aside additional funds. The hotel's buffet may be worth it, or you might consider visiting a local bakery or cafe for a more budget-friendly option.

Fill up a water bottle rather than buying drinks every chance you get. It's also kinder to the earth.

If you're going to take a tour, make sure you understand which meals are included. You could end up paying for some food yourself, which might affect your budget.

Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Milwaukee. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:

Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Milwaukee for $103 details
Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours for $99 details
Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner for $139 details

Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Milwaukee

Tourists can't resist Milwaukee, especially for its well-known museums and attractions, nightlife, and family-friendly activities.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Milwaukee typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment¹ Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

$26

The Harley Davidson Museum, where hundreds of motorcycles show the styles through the decades, including the flashy rides of Elvis and Evel Knievel. You can sit in the saddle of various bikes and take unique photos. Even non-bikers will enjoy the interactive exhibits and tough, leather-clad crowds.

The lakeside Milwaukee Art Museum, which features a stunning winglike addition by Santiago Calatrava. It soars open and closed every day at 10am, noon and 5pm (8pm on Thursday), which is fun to watch; head to the suspension bridge outside for the best view. There are fabulous folk and outsider art galleries, and a sizeable collection of Georgia O'Keeffe paintings. A 2015 renovation added photography and new media galleries to the trove.

Take a look at the Harley Davidson Plant, where engines are built, in suburban Menomonee Falls. The factory offers two options for tours: a free, 30-minute jaunt where you see a video and take a quick walk onto the factory floor, and a two-hour paid tour where you don safety glasses and check out the assembly line, powder-coat process and other in-depth engine-making activities.

The Hoan Bridge is one of the most recognizable Milwaukee landmarks. It is a tied arch bridge suspended over the port of Milwaukee on the Milwaukee River. It's part of I-794 that leads into downtown.

The well-loved Lakefront Brewery, across the river from Brady St, has afternoon tours, but the best time to visit is on Friday nights when there's a fish fry, 16 beers to try and a polka band letting loose.

Go for a tour of the Miller Brewing Company. Founded in 1855, the historic Miller facility preserves Milwaukee's beer legacy. Join the legions lined up for the free, hour-long tours. Though the mass-produced beer may not be your favorite, the factory impresses with its sheer scale: you'll visit the packaging plant where 2000 cans are filled each minute, and the warehouse where a half-million cases await shipment. And then there's the generous tasting session at the tour's end, where you can down three full-size samples.

Experience Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin. The city's lakefront science and technology museum is primarily a kid-pleaser, with freshwater and saltwater aquariums (where you can touch sharks and sturgeon) and a dockside, triple-masted Great Lakes schooner to ogle, and sailing tours are also available. Adults will appreciate the Les Paul exhibit, showcasing the Wisconsin native's pioneering guitars and sound equipment.

Milwaukee County Zoo, one of the best zoos in the US, features 2,500 animals representing 300 species on 200 acres. Besides animal showcases, the zoo also features train tours, sea lion shows, and a dairy farm. Check with zoo schedules for fun special events like sleepovers at the zoo or trick-or-treating at the zoo on Halloween.

The parkland edging Lake Michigan is prime for walking, cycling and inline skating. Also here is Bradford Beach, which is good for swimming and lounging.

A nice way to explore destinations in Milwaukee is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:

2 Hour Sailing Adventure in Lake Michigan (up to 6 people) for $126 details
Downtown Kenosha Urban Art and Photography Walking Tour for $30 details
Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field for $19 details

Recommended Activities

Nightlife Budget in Milwaukee

When it comes to nightlife, Milwaukee has a few activities to offer, but it's not as lively as in other more popular destinations. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average person spends about $33 on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Milwaukee per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol² Drinks for one day

$33

Nightlife Tips

While nightlife is a key part of many trips, scaling back on drinks can help free up some extra cash in your budget.

Drinking at night can be fun, but make sure you're aware of your surroundings. You could attract pickpockets, so it's best to stick with people you trust and stay in a group.

Nightlife activities and tasting tours are popular in Milwaukee. A few favorites from other travelers include:

Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack for $99 details

Budgeting and Travel Tips for Milwaukee

Prices tend to be higher and crowds larger during peak season in summer. For a more budget-friendly experience, aim for the shoulder or low seasons instead.
Taking it easy while traveling can help you save some cash, letting you appreciate the area's beauty without the stress. If you rush through your days with nonstop activities, you'll end up spending more. Slowing down often leads to a more enjoyable trip and less money spent.

Budgeting Challenges

With limited public transportation in Milwaukee, it could be wise to rent a car or arrange for transportation, such as a tour. Just keep in mind that this might affect your budget in other areas.
Milwaukee isn't known for its abundance of hostels, so if you're hoping to crash in a budget-friendly dorm, you might need to rethink your strategy. Consider looking for an affordable hotel or an apartment rental instead.

Traveling in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore. It's known for its breweries, many of which offer tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. Overlooking the Menomonee River, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles, including one of Elvis Presley's. Nearby is the Milwaukee Public Museum, with its large-scale European Village and a recreation of old Milwaukee. In summertime, festivals let loose by the lake almost every weekend. These attractions along with stylish eating and shopping areas have turned Wisconsin's largest city into an interesting and attractive destination.

Neighborhoods & Around

Downtown Milwaukee consists of two neighborhoods which sit across the Milwaukee River from each other: Juneautown and Kilbourntown.

Juneautown

Between the lake and the river is the financial heart of the city, as well as the place where Milwaukee was born. The city's tallest building, the 601-foot USBank Tower, is located here along the lake, as are a number of the other architecturally significant buildings, including the Cathedral of St. John and Milwaukee's City Hall. There are a number of coffee shops and restaurants, but except for around Cathedral Square and Milwaukee Street area mostly closes down after business hours.

Kilbourntown (or Westown)

Across the river, Kilbourntown serves as the city's entertainment center. Here you will find attractions such as the Wisconsin Center, Milwaukee's primary convention center. Nearby are the Grand Avenue Mall, the Milwaukee Theater, and the Bradley Center. Many of the city's hotels are located here as well, as are a number of excellent restaurants and clubs. Further to the west is Milwaukee's gigantic neo-classical Courthouse, the Milwaukee Public Museum, and the ornate Milwaukee Central Library. While none of the city's tall buildings have public observatories, you can get a fantastic view from Polaris, the revolving restaurant perched atop the Hyatt Regency in the heart of Kilbourntown.

Historic Third Ward

This small district, located directly to the south of Juneautown, is Milwaukee's version of the trendy urban "warehouse district." The streets of the Third Ward are lined with 19th and early 20th-century warehouse buildings which have been converted into lofts and offices. At street level, chic shops and restaurants are commonplace. The area is also an entertainment hub. The Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design, the Broadway Theater Center, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design can be found here.

Travel Budget for Milwaukee Visit Milwaukee on a Budget or Travel in Style

How much does it cost to travel to Milwaukee?