Major city · United States
Fort Madison
Half a day: see the reconstructed fort, walk the riverfront, then move on. Not a base.
Fort Madison is a small Mississippi River town in southeast Iowa, best known for its reconstructed 1808 fort. The Amtrak Southwest Chief stops here daily, making it a convenient break between Chicago and the West. Most visitors spend 3–4 hours before continuing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some attractions closed)
- Airport
- FSW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Fort Madison911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fort Madison, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe; typical small-town risks.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFSW Fort Madison Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled passenger service).
- Getting aroundWalkable downtown; a car is needed for anything beyond the riverfront.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$12–25
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–12
- BeerBeer (pint)$4–6
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town$10–15
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FSW Fort Madison Municipal Airport (General aviation only; no scheduled passenger service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fort Madison: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
6 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable downtown; a car is needed for anything beyond the riverfront. Taxis or rideshares are scarce — arrange ahead.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 25 min
US 61 north, about 20 min
Larger town with historic district and riverwalk.
Door to door: 35 min
US 34 west, about 30 min
Home to Maharishi International University and a lively arts scene.
Nauvoo, Illinois
goDoor to door: 20 min
US 136 east across the Mississippi, about 15 min
Historic Mormon settlement with restored buildings.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Riverfront
Walkable to the fort and Amtrak station; limited options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Amtrak Chicago–Fort Madison, coach2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Old Fort Madison entry2 × US$6 | US$13 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$249 per person per day, bed included | US$498 |
2026 estimate in USD; train fare excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–12 |
| Dinner entrée | $12–25 |
| Beer (pint) | $4–6 |
| Taxi within town | $10–15 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Amtrak station is unstaffed; buy tickets online or at the ticket machine.
- Old Fort Madison is closed Nov–Apr except by appointment.
- No Uber or Lyft reliably available; call a local taxi service.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Fort MadisonFort Madison
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amtrak Chicago → Fort Madison, coach: about $60, 4 h (check)
- Amtrak Fort Madison → Kansas City, coach: about $50, 4 h (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the train station? — Where is the train station?
English is universal; no local phrases needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fort Madison. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some attractions closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialVisit Fort Madison
- officialOld Fort Madison
- officialAmtrak Southwest Chief
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fort Madison, revision 5246957 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Fort Madison
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