Dane County Regional Truax Field
Airport guide 2026

Dane County Regional Truax Field MSN

United States

The single terminal handles domestic flights to major cities in the Midwest.

Gateway to Madison, capital of Wisconsin, home of the University of Wisconsin, situated between two lakes.

Content verified on 06/09/2026
Official source: www.msnairport.com

How to get to Dane County Regional Truax Field

Madison city center is approximately 11 km from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 20 minutes by Metro Transit Route D2 bus.

By Car

Travelers arriving by car reach downtown Madison in approximately 15 minutes, traffic permitting.

By Train

There is no railway station at the airport: Madison does not have an urban rail network.

By Bus

Metro Transit Route D2 bus, with a stop at Gate 6 outside the terminal, connects the airport to downtown Madison and the UW campus, with departures every 30 minutes on weekdays and every hour on weekday evenings and weekends; fare $2 USD, with a free 2-hour transfer to other Madison, Middleton and Sun Prairie lines. Payment by contactless card or digital wallet, scanning the same card at each boarding for the transfer.
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Tips Always scan the same contactless card at each boarding to benefit from the free 2-hour transfer between Metro Transit lines.

Average travel time to MSN

TrainNot available (Madison has no urban rail network)
Shuttle bus20 min (2 USD, Metro Transit D2, 2h free transfer)
Taxi / Private hire15 min (20-30 USD)

Parking near Dane County Regional Truax Field

Multi-level parking is located adjacent to the terminal, with daily rates ranging from approximately 12 to 22 USD.

The Economy Lot (more economical, slightly farther away, with shuttle service) costs about 6 USD/day.

How to get to Madison from MSN

By Train

The airport has no train station.

By Bus

The Metro Transit Route D2 bus connects the airport to downtown in approximately 20 minutes, every 30-60 minutes; fare 2 USD with a free 2-hour transfer.

By Taxi

Uber/Lyft cost approximately 11-15 USD; a taxi is generally comparable, to downtown, with a journey of about 14 minutes.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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Car rental at Dane County Regional Truax Field

All major car rental brands have a counter in the terminal.

In addition to driver's license, passport, and credit card, in winter the vehicle typically includes winter tires.

 

Hotels near Dane County Regional Truax Field

Dane County Regional is about 15 minutes by car from downtown Madison: the east side, toward East Towne Mall, is closest to the terminal and suits travelers flying early or staying just one night for work. Downtown, between the Capitol and Lake Mendota, is worth an extra night for those visiting Madison, with lake views from more than one hotel. On the west side, near the university's Research Park and Middleton, there's another convenient area for those working at local companies, about 20 minutes from both the terminal and downtown.
Airport area

Airport area - East Towne

About 5-10 minutes by car from the terminal.

Best for: Travelers with an early flight or staying for work near the terminal and East Towne Mall.

Pros
  • a few minutes from the terminal, near East Towne Mall
  • an indoor pool at both hotels
Cons
  • a commercial area, little to do on foot in the evening
  • downtown Madison still takes 15-20 minutes by car
See more hotels in this area
City centre

Downtown Madison - Capitol Square and the lake

Taxi or car about 15-20 minutes to the terminal, no direct shuttle.

Best for: Travelers visiting downtown Madison, the Capitol, or attending an event at Monona Terrace.

Pros
  • views of Lake Mendota or walking distance to the Capitol
  • downtown restaurants and bars just steps away
Cons
  • no direct shuttle to the airport, a taxi or car is needed
  • hotel parking is often charged
See more hotels in this area
Neighbourhood

West Madison - Research Park

About 20 minutes by car to the terminal.

Best for: Travelers working at Research Park companies or who prefer the west side of the city.

Pros
  • close to the companies at University Research Park
  • suites with a kitchen available for longer stays
Cons
  • farther from both the terminal and downtown Madison
  • a residential and commercial area, little to do on foot in the evening
See more hotels in this area
 

Airport services

The airport serves Madison, Wisconsin's capital and home to the University of Wisconsin, with domestic connections.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features Wisconsin cheese and luxury goods.

Lounges & relaxation

Various lounges are available for business-class passengers.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal; customers with a major U.S. cellular provider will have no signal problems.

Families & Children

Each terminal offers dedicated children's play areas and family support services.

Terminal guide

The single terminal is dedicated to domestic connections.

An advance arrival of 2–2.5 hours is recommended for flights.

Map of Dane County Regional Truax Field

Map of Dane County Regional Truax Field

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is Madison built between two lakes?

Yes, downtown sits on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.

Q. How much does the Metro Transit D2 bus from the airport cost?

$2, with a free 2-hour transfer to other lines in Madison, Middleton and Sun Prairie.

Q. How do you pay for the bus in Madison?

With a contactless card or digital wallet, always scanning the same card to benefit from the free transfer.

Q. Is Madison Airport close to the University of Wisconsin?

Yes, the campus is downtown, reachable by the Route D2 bus.

Flight board

Real-time status of arriving and departing flights

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