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City guide

Madison, Wisconsin

S. state of Wisconsin.

Type CityPopulation 269,840Metro Area Population 708,000

Why go

  • Capital of Wisconsin, United States.
  • Served by Dane County Regional Airport (MSN).

History

Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is the second-most populous city in the state, with a population of 269,840 at the 2020 census. The Madison metropolitan area has an estimated 708,000 residents. With a downtown centrally located on an isthmus between Lakes Mendota and Monona, the city also encompasses Lake Wingra. Madison was founded in 1836, and is named after American Founding Father and President James Madison. Madison is the county seat of Dane County.

Airports

Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) 5.8 mi to the centre
4000 International Ln, Madison, WI 53704 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 7 airlines (Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, US Airways…) · direct flights to 11 destinations incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Cincinnati… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 7 airlines, 11 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Middleton Municipal Morey Field 7.1 mi to the centre
Middleton, WI, US
Outdoor
Waunakee Airport 7.9 mi to the centre
Waunakee, WI, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Dane County Regional Airport (MSN); 18 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: MSN has direct flights to 11 destinations on 7 airlines (incl. Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Cincinnati…).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Madison, Wisconsin. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus, Metro · Madison, Wisconsin · Schedules & GTFS data

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach