Kansas City is Missouri’s largest city and its airport is a rather busy one all year long. Getting from MCI to downtown Kansas City, though, is easy with a little bit of planning before your trip. The most convenient transportation option is to take an airport taxi or pre-book a Kansas City airport transfer; it’s the most costly choice but it’s ideal if you’re in a hurry or value comfort and privacy. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, there is a direct bus that connects the airport to the downtown area but in that case, expect the overall trip to take longer.
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How to Get from Kansas City Airport to Downtown
Maria PapakonstantinouDecember 2, 2022
Comparison of the options
How to get from Kansas City Airport to downtown by taxi
Taking an airport taxi to get from MCI to downtown Kansas City is the safest choice if you’re looking for a reliable transportation option regardless of your flight arrival time. Taxis are available all day long at Kansas City Airport; if there aren’t any already lined up, you can call one using the courtesy phones at the designated locations.
How much does a Kansas City airport shuttle to downtown cost?
All official Kansas City taxis are metered and for airport transfers, there are set rates imposed by the state. The total fare will vary depending on your exact destination and traffic conditions but the average fare for a Kansas City airport shuttle to downtown is about $50 (€50) for up to 4 passengers.
Photos (1)
Yellow Kansas City cab
Cost
$50
Trip Duration
20 min
The total fare may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Taxis are available at Kansas Airport 24/7.
Where do I take a taxi from?
You can take a taxi that’s parked in front of Terminals B and C. If there are none, you’ll find courtesy phones for taxi service located both inside and outside the terminal, at each baggage claim area.
Convenience
Taking a taxi to get from Kansas City Airport to downtown is a bit more costly but it’s definitely the most convenient transportation option if you value comfort and want to enjoy a stress-free travel experience. By taking an airport shuttle or pre-booking a personalised transfer, you ensure that you and your travel companions will reach your destination directly, without having to check maps or worry about catching the next bus on time.
Editor’s Note
Kansas City airport taxis are a great choice for families, larger groups or if you're carrying many pieces of luggage. If you're a solo traveller and carry only light luggage, consider taking the bus instead, which is free of charge; just make sure to find the nearest stop to your accommodation.
Useful Tips
How to get from Kansas City Airport to downtown by bus
Getting from Kansas City Airport to the downtown area by bus is possible with line 229. It’s operated by RideKC and provides a direct connection between the two in about 60 minutes with multiple stops along the way.
How much does the bus from Kansas City Airport to downtown cost?
The RideKC bus line that connects Kansas City Airport to downtown is fare-free for all passengers to use.
Photos (1)
RideKC bus in Kansas City
Cost
$0
Trip Duration
60 min
The regular one-way ticket from MCI to downtown Kansas City and vice versa is free.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Bus line 229 runs every hour from 05:00 until 23:00 on weekdays and from 04:53 until 22:53 on weekends and holidays.
Where do I take the bus from?
Bus line 229 stops at both terminals B and C. The Terminal B bus stop is located outside Allegiant ticketing and the Terminal C bus stop is located outside Door C-9.
Convenience
Choosing the bus to get from MCI to downtown Kansas City is a convenient transportation option if you’re not on a tight schedule and carry only hand luggage. Also, having a zero fare definitely makes it an appealing choice if you’re travelling on a limited budget; keep in mind though that for the same reason it will most likely be pretty crowded during peak hours. If you prefer a more comfortable and private transport option that will take you directly to your accommodation, taking a Kansas City airport taxi might be a better choice.
Editor’s Note
If you're not in a hurry and you're travelling light, taking the bus from Kansas City Airport to downtown will definitely help you stay within budget. For larger groups or families with toddlers, however, an airport taxi will be a more comfortable transportation option.
Useful Tips
Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100
We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.
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20 minute gap between transfers
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Regular Car Sanitisation
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Contactless ride
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Sanitiser in every car
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct bus from Kansas City airport to downtown?
Bus line 229 operated by RideKC directly connects Kansas City Airport to the downtown area. The journey takes 60 minutes in light traffic and the bus makes multiple stops along the way.
How do I get from Kansas City airport to downtown?
The best and most convenient transportation options to get from MCI to downtown Kansas City are either an airport taxi or the bus. Airport taxis are available 24/7, ready to take you directly to your destination, while bus line 229 is a great choice if you wish to stay within budget as, despite its lengthier route, it’s fare-free.
What’s the average cost of a taxi from Kansas City airport to downtown?
Kansas City taxis are metered and for airport transfers, there are set rates imposed by the state. The average fare for a Kansas City airport shuttle to downtown is about $50 (€50) for up to 4 passengers but keep in mind that the total fare will vary depending on your exact destination and traffic conditions.
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