Uber / Lyft Door 6 · About 15–25 minutes to Capitol Square in clear traffic
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
ATW8.5
MSN8.5
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
ATW7.6
MSN7.6
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
ATW7.3
MSN7.5+0.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
ATW7.2
MSN7.5+0.3
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
ATW7.5+0.7
MSN6.8
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
ATW2.0
MSN2.0
Best for
ATW
Fox Cities / Outagamie County origin-and-destination trips that can live with a $15 Long-Term lot and a 15-minute driveAmerican / Delta / United hoppers who will eat at Fratellos or weekday Central Kitchen before the last departureTravelers who will use the free Arrivals Waiting Lot or Express Park key drop instead of circling Short-Term
MSN
UW / Capitol Square trips on one of the six live airlinesBudget riders on Metro Route D2 at $2Local food after TSA (Ancora, Metcalfe’s, Tory Miller kitchens)
Watch out for
ATW
Assuming Priority Pass, Escape, or an Admirals Club exists (live PP / Escape have no ATW pin; American.com clubs Not Available)Treating the May 2026 leftover 23rd-route card as a live dest count — the 14 Sep 2026 flights page prints 22 destination cardsTreating Grain & Grind as open — official dine card still says COMING WINTER 2026Treating GRB, MSN, MKE, OSH, CWA, or KATW as this airport
MSN
No passenger lounge and no Priority PassCLEAR is not at MSNVinoteca is closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and SaturdaySome Where We Fly cards have no airline — confirm the FIDS
Amenities and tips
ATW
Fratellos + Central Kitchen + North River ExpressQuiet Room / Sensory Room / Game AreaFree terminal Wi-FiOne-checkpoint accessibilityOn-airport rental cars
Official leftover 90 minutes; be at TSA 45 minutes out
Official leftover is to arrive 90 minutes before departure, with extra time on the morning bank. Official leftover: be at the checkpoint at least 45 minutes before departure.
One hall; leftover Gates 5–10 sit in the new concourse
One civil departure hall. Official leftover hearing loop leftover is currently available near Gates 5–10 in the new concourse.
Trust the live Fratellos / Central Kitchen card
Official leftover: North River Express is 24/7 self-serve before TSA. Past TSA leftover Fratellos Craft Kitchen & Bar daily 4:00 a.m. until last flight, and Central Kitchen & Bar Monday–Friday 4:00 a.m. until last flight.
MSN
One TSA, 16 jet-bridge gatesNo passenger loungeAncora, Metcalfe’s, Tory Miller kitchensWi-Fi 6 on msnairportThree Mothers’ Lounges and Gate 12 play areaSix rental counters at bags
Official clock is 90 minutes — TSA prints 4:30 a.m.
The FAQ says arrive at least 90 minutes before departure, or earlier if your airline says so. The security page prints the checkpoint as 4:30 a.m. until the last departure.
One TSA, then Gates 1–16 on the same walk
After screening you stay sterile. Wrong gate is a walk, not a reclear. PreCheck is only at the south checkpoint inside Door 1.
Eat after TSA unless you need landside Ancora
Almost every named kitchen is past security. Landside Ancora is 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. next to baggage claim. Lake Country Travel Mart in the ticket lobby is Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. only.
ATW · Northeast Wisconsin’s scheduled passenger field: one hall, five live airlines, no lounge, a $15 Long-Term lot, and an About page that still prints 22 destinations after a May 2026 leftover called SNA the 23rd route.
MSN · Madison put nearly 2.5 million passengers through one TSA and 16 gates in 2025: easy when the bank is quiet, strong local food after screening, and still no lounge.
