Traveling to Kansas City
If you’ve never traveled to Kansas City, a few things may surprise you about getting around town. For starters, everything is very spread out—the airport is 20 miles from downtown, and downtown is another eight miles from the ballpark. Also, our public transportation game is not strong. As a result, most Kansas Citians drive everywhere.
If you have flown into Kansas City in the past, you will be pleasantly surprised at the ease of the new airport, which was completed in early 2023. No more transfer buses between terminals. Now, there’s one terminal—full of local businesses and restaurants, which makes waiting for your flight more enjoyable.
In this chapter we will help you determine the best way to get to Kansas City. On the Local Transit page, we’ll cover the best ways to travel between the airport, your hotel, and Kauffman Stadium.
Flying to Kansas City
View of Kansas City from Charles B. Wheeler Airport (Note: not MCI)
Kansas City has one major airport—the newly remodeled Kansas City International Airport (MCI). No major airline has a hub here, so expect your options to be limited if you’re looking for a direct flight, and flight availability may limit your ability to stay for a Sunday afternoon game. With the pitch clock rules in effect, games are averaging just over 2.5 hours. To be safe, assume a Sunday afternoon game at Kauffman will end at 4 pm. Now you need to make it out of the stadium and either catch a rideshare or drive your rental car to the airport. Any flight leaving before 7 pm could be pushing it. Bottom line, make your flight arrangements before purchasing game tickets.
Once you arrive at MCI, you will want to rent a car or use ridesharing to reach your hotel and Kauffman Stadium. When making plans, keep in mind it’s a 30 mile drive from MCI straight to Kauffman, which takes 30 minutes in good traffic. Allow for 45 minutes during rush hour. When looking up directions, select a route that takes you on Interstate 435E (a loop around the city) as opposed to heading through downtown to avoid the worst traffic.
The airport is located approximately 20 miles north of downtown Kansas City, Mo., about a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic. Downtown you will find the best selection of hotels, restaurants, and entertainment—more on that in our Lodging section.
Driving to Kansas City
Highways leading to Kansas City
Kansas City is a very driver-friendly city. It’s very easy to navigate, and traffic is not horrible compared to other MLB stadium cities, which is great because our public transit is lacking.
Kauffman Stadium is located at the Truman Sports Complex, right off Interstate 70—the main highway that runs through downtown Kansas City connecting it to St. Louis and Denver. Literally, Kauffman’s outfield sits right against the interstate.
Getting to Kansas City by Train
Taking the train to Kansas City is an option, however it will only serve a limited number of cities—and neither of the Amtrak stops in/near Kansas City get you particularly close to the ballpark.
Kansas City’s Union Station and Independence, Missouri’s Amtrak station (just northeast of the ballpark) are 10 and 5 miles respectively from Kauffman, so you’d still need a means of getting to the park upon arrival.
That said, there is a Hertz rental car location in the Westin Crown Center hotel, which you can access via The Link at Union Station, should you want to explore this option. Additionally, the KC Streetcar’s southern terminus is on Grand Ave. just outside of Union Station, which will transport you to many of the downtown, Power & Lights District, and City Market hotels and restaurants (more on that in the Lodging section). So while a train can’t get you TO the ballpark, it can still get you to a significant number of other locations in the city.
Bottom Line
No matter how you get to Kansas City, traveling here is pretty simple. Whether flying, driving, or getting here by train, the limited options will make this an easy decision.
