Group Pickup & Drop-Off at Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Chicago Midway (MDW) & Waukesha County (UES)
Traveling to or from the airport with a large group can get complicated quickly without a solid ground transportation plan. Between navigating construction and rush hour traffic along I-43, I-894, and I-94, coordinating dozens of checked suitcases, and following strict commercial curb rules at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and Chicago O'Hare (ORD), splitting your group into multiple rideshares or personal cars only adds to the stress. That’s where Newberlin
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Key Takeaways
- At Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), charter buses drop departing groups off at the Upper Level Ticketing curb and pick arriving groups up on the outer commercial lane outside Baggage Claim Door 1.
- Commercial vehicles at MKE cannot idle at the terminal curb; drivers stage off-site or at the South Howell Avenue cell phone lot area until your entire group has bags in hand.
- For long-distance transfers to Chicago O'Hare (ORD), pre-arranged charter buses drop off on the Upper Level and pick up at the Bus/Shuttle Center (Door G) or the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd.
- Chicago ordinances strictly limit commercial vehicle idling to 3 minutes (and 15 minutes across Illinois), so always gather your whole group and all checked luggage before signaling your driver to pull up.
- Private corporate aviation groups flying directly into Waukesha County Airport (UES) can coordinate planeside or FBO lobby pickups just 15 minutes northwest of New Berlin via I-43 and WI-164.
Tips for New Berlin Airport Travel with Groups
Keep these local pro tips in mind when planning group airport transfers between New Berlin and southeastern Wisconsin or Chicagoland airports:
- Gather all bags before calling your driver to the curb: Airport security at MKE, ORD, and MDW strictly prohibits curbside waiting and unattended vehicles. Make sure every traveler in your group has claimed their luggage from the carousel and is standing together near the exit doors before you text your driver to pull into the active loading zone.
- Build in buffer time for I-894, I-94 & the Hale Interchange: While MKE is only 15 to 20 minutes east of New Berlin via I-43 North and I-894 East, weekday rush hours (6:30–9:00 a.m. and 3:30–6:00 p.m.) through the Hale Interchange and the Mitchell Interchange can slow traffic down. If your group is heading south down I-94 and I-294 to Chicago O'Hare, add at least 30 to 45 minutes of extra buffer time for Illinois Tollway plaza congestion and Lake County construction zones.
- Match your bus size to your luggage load: Traveling with heavy checked suitcases, trade show displays for a corporate event, or bulky team gear for a sporting event? A full-size 56-passenger motorcoach features spacious under-floor luggage bays plus overhead cabin racks. Minibuses (such as our 20-passenger minibus or 25-passenger minibus) are ideal for groups with lighter carry-on bags. Browse all available bus types in one search to pick the right fit!
- Share your flight details during confirmation: After you book online through the national booking platform, a dedicated confirmation department contacts you to verify every stop, terminal, and flight number on your itinerary so your driver can track early landings or flight delays in real time.
- Check official airport ground transportation pages before departure: Terminal roadways and commercial loading zones can shift due to seasonal construction. Review the latest updates at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) Ground Transportation, Chicago O'Hare (ORD) Bus & Shuttle Information, Chicago Midway (MDW) Shuttles, and Waukesha County Airport (UES).
Know Before You Go: Charter Bus Guidelines at New Berlin-Area Airports
Every charter bus, minibus, party bus, and sprinter van operating at Wisconsin and Northern Illinois airports must follow local airport authority guidelines. Review this quick-reference breakdown so your group knows exactly where to go on travel day:
| Airport | Distance from New Berlin | Departures Drop-Off | Arrivals Pickup | Commercial Staging Area | Curb Waiting Allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MKE (Milwaukee Mitchell International) | ~15 miles (15–20 mins via I-43 N & I-894 E) | Upper Level Ticketing Curbside (Concourses C & D) | Lower Level Baggage Claim outer commercial island outside Door 1 | MKE Cell Phone Lot / Staging off S. Howell Ave (WI-38) | No (Active loading only; drivers must stay with vehicle) |
| ORD (Chicago O'Hare International) | ~85 miles (75–95 mins via I-43 N/I-894 E to I-94 E/I-294 S) | Upper Level Departures Curb at Terminals 1, 2, 3 & 5 | Bus/Shuttle Center (Door G) or O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd | ORD Commercial Holding Lot / MMF off Zemke Blvd & Mannheim Rd | No (Strict 3-minute Chicago idle limit; active loading only) |
| MDW (Chicago Midway International) | ~105 miles (95–120 mins via I-94 E to I-294 S & I-55 N) | Upper Level Departures Curb or Lower Level Garage Doors 5 & 6 | Lower Level Arrivals through Parking Garage at Doors 5 & 6 (Charter Bus Zone) | MDW Cell Phone / Staging Lot at W. 61st St & S. Cicero Ave | No (Active loading only; 3-minute city idle limit) |
| UES (Waukesha County Airport - Crites Field) | ~10 miles | Direct FBO Curbside (Stein's Aircraft Services / Atlantic Aviation) | FBO Lobby Curbside or Pre-Arranged Ramp Access off Bluemound Rd | On-site FBO surface parking at 2525 Aviation Dr | Yes (With prior FBO coordination) |
Charter Bus Guide to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
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Major Roadways to MKE
Getting from New Berlin to MKE is a straight shot east along I-43 North and I-894 East / I-43 North through the Hale and Mitchell Interchanges. From I-94 East/South, your charter bus takes the dedicated WI-119 (Airport Spur) exit directly into the terminal loop. Local groups departing from Moorland Road or National Avenue can also use Layton Avenue or South Howell Avenue (WI-38) as alternate surface routes during peak highway congestion.
Charter Bus Drop-Off for Departures
For departing flights at MKE, your charter bus pulls directly up to the Upper Level Ticketing/Departures curb outside the main terminal building. Make sure your passengers have their carry-on items ready before entering the Airport Spur.
Charter Bus Pickup for Arrivals
Arriving groups at MKE will take the escalators or elevators down to the Lower Level Baggage Claim area to collect their checked suitcases. Once everyone is accounted for, walk out through Baggage Claim Exit Door 1 (at the south end of the baggage claim hall) and cross the inner roadway to the outer commercial ground transportation lane. Pre-arranged charter buses and shuttles load passengers along this designated outer island curb.
Staging & Waiting Rules (How to Call Your Bus)
Milwaukee County airport regulations prohibit charter buses from parking or idling along the Baggage Claim curb while waiting for flights to land. Your driver will wait nearby off South Howell Avenue or in the designated staging area until you confirm that your entire group has bags in hand and is standing outside Door 1.
Recommended Meeting Point
If your group members are arriving on different flights across Concourse C or Concourse D, have everyone meet inside the Lower Level Baggage Claim hall near Carousel 1 and Exit Door 1. This keeps your travelers warm inside the terminal during cold Wisconsin winters while you take a final headcount. Once the last suitcase hits the carousel, text your driver and step out to the outer commercial curb together for a fast, seamless boarding process.
Charter Bus Guide to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
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Pickup & Drop-Off at ORD
For departures at O'Hare, your charter bus drops passengers off curbside on the Upper Level outside your airline's terminal (Terminals 1, 2, 3, or Terminal 5 for international flights). For arrivals, pre-arranged charter buses cannot idle at the standard passenger curbs; instead, groups either meet their bus at the O'Hare Bus/Shuttle Center on the ground level outside Door G (located between Terminals 1, 2, and 3) or ride the free Airport Transit System (ATS) train to the O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd (at the corner of Mannheim Road and Zemke Boulevard), which features dedicated charter bus loading bays. Keep in mind that the City of Chicago enforces a strict 3-minute engine idling limit, so your group must be fully assembled with all luggage before calling your driver from the staging area.
Common Itineraries from ORD
Groups landing at Chicago O'Hare regularly book direct charter bus transfers straight up I-294 North and I-94 West into New Berlin and Waukesha County. Popular drop-off destinations include corporate headquarters and manufacturing hubs inside the New Berlin Industrial Park (along Moorland Road and Ryerson Road), hotel blocks along S. Moorland Road near I-94 in neighbouring Brookfield, and wedding venues or retreats at New Berlin Hills Golf Course. We also coordinate multi-stop school field trip and athletic transfers from O'Hare to campuses in Waukesha, Pewaukee, and Downtown Milwaukee. Whatever stops are on your schedule, one quick online form lets you customize your exact route in seconds!
Charter Bus Guide to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) & Waukesha County Airport (UES)
Whether your group is flying a domestic route into Chicago's South Side or arriving on a private corporate jet right in Waukesha County, you can book the exact vehicle you need through our network. Here is how charter bus loading works at both hubs:
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Located about 105 miles south of New Berlin at 5700 S. Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60638 (accessible via I-94 East, I-294 South, and I-55 North), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a major hub for Southwest Airlines groups. Charter buses stage at the Midway Cell Phone Lot at W. 61st Street and S. Cicero Avenue just south of the main entrance until your group has collected its bags on the Lower Level. Once ready, your group exits the Lower Level baggage claim through the parking garage to Doors 5 and 6, where pre-arranged charter buses pull into the designated bus loading lanes for quick pickup.
Waukesha County Airport (UES)
Located just 10 miles northwest of New Berlin at 2525 Aviation Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188, Waukesha County Airport (Crites Field - UES) is a premier corporate and general aviation reliever airport. Executive teams, college athletic charters, and VIP guests arriving through the airport's Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs), such as Stein's Aircraft Services or Atlantic Aviation, can book a sleek 18-passenger minibus or sprinter van with a driver for immediate curbside or planeside transfers. Because UES avoids big-city terminal congestion, your driver can park on-site at the FBO lot and have your group on the road to New Berlin or Milwaukee in minutes!