Amtrak Train Station Kansas City, MO (KCY)

In Kansas City, Missouri, Amtrak offers its services through the Kansas City Union Station near the Downtown area. Primarily, Southwest Chief and Missouri River Runner operate from this station, providing one or two departures daily in both directions. Passengers can book tickets at the station through the ticketing office, even at the last minute. Most facilities, including the ticket office, passenger assistance, and the quik-trak kiosk at the station, are accessible between 6 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Additionally, same-day and overnight parking are also available in the west yard parking garage.

Kansas City Union Station Address Details

Amtrak trains at Kansas City operate through Union Station, served by the Southwest Chief and Missouri River Runner. The station sits in Kansas City, Missouri, just south of the downtown business district.

• Located In: Kansas City, Missouri
• Address: 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108-2410
• Station Code: KCY
• Phone Number: 1-800-872-7245 (1-800-USA-RAIL)
• Building Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (midnight) daily.

Amtrak Union Station Kansas City Timings

Passengers can access several services at the station, and the timeline of each available facility is nearly the same.

Passenger Services	Operational Timings
Station Waiting Hours	Monday to Sunday: 6 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Ticket Office Hours	Monday to Sunday: 6 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Passenger Assistance	Monday to Sunday: 6 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Checked Baggage Services	Closed
Parking Hours	Same Day and Overnight
Quik-Trak Kiosk Hours	Monday to Sunday: 6 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Amtrak Express Service	Closed

Amtrak station in Kansas City Map

The map of Kansas City Union Station helps passengers locate the Amtrak entrance, parking areas, platform access, and surrounding transit connections. Furthermore, the entrance gate is located on level 1 of the station.

Train Routes at Kansas City Amtrak Station

Amtrak Kansas City Union Station is served by two train routes: the Southwest Chief and the Missouri River Runner. Both routes connect Kansas City to major cities across the country.

1. Southwest Chief:

The Southwest Chief operates between Chicago and Los Angeles, with Kansas City Union Station serving as an important stop along the route. It runs once daily in each direction, connecting Kansas City to cities including Albuquerque, Flagstaff, and the greater American Southwest.

2. Missouri River Runner:

The Missouri River Runner is a passenger train service operated by Amtrak in Missouri, running between Gateway Transportation Center in St. Louis and Union Station in Kansas City. It includes additional stops in Independence, Lee’s Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington, and Kirkwood.

Facilities at the Amtrak Kansas City Union Station

Kansas City Union Station provides an enclosed waiting area, parking, an accessible platform, and wheelchair availability, alongside additional services within the Union Station complex.

1. Stationed Staff: Amtrak staff members are present at the station during all train schedules to assist passengers with ticketing, boarding, and general travel inquiries.

2. Ticket Sales Office: The Amtrak ticket sales office handles ticket purchases, seat revisions, and booking adjustments. Passengers can visit the counter or use the self-service kiosks available inside the building.

3. Amtrak Ticketing Kiosks: Self-service kiosks allow passengers to purchase tickets, print reservations, and manage bookings independently, reducing wait times at staffed counters.

4. Enclosed Waiting Area: Amtrak’s waiting area sits inside the main building, and passengers board from a platform accessible through the station. 

5. Restrooms: Restroom facilities are available throughout the Union Station building, including accessible restrooms with wheelchair markings for passengers with disabilities. 

6. Dining and Retail: The Union Station houses a variety of museums, shops, restaurants, offices, and transportation facilities. Passengers can access multiple dining options inside the building before or after their train.

7. Parking: The West Yards Parking Garage offers the most convenient and secure parking at Kansas City Union Station, accessible via a pedestrian bridge from either the Carriage Pavilion or Pershing Road. This four-level garage accepts credit card payments through kiosks, and cash is not accepted.

8. Bicycle Racks: Exterior bicycle racks are available on the east and west sides of the main building, as well as in the Southwest parking lot. Union Station regulations prohibit the attachment of bicycles to trees, posts, signs, stairwells, railings, or handicapped ramps on the exterior or interior of the property.

9. Accessible Services: The station features an accessible platform that provides a barrier-free path from the drop-off area outside the station to the train platform. Wheelchairs are available for passengers who cannot walk far or at all.

NOTE: Amtrak Guest Rewards members earn points on every departure from Kansas City Union Station. These points can be redeemed later for booking tickets, upgrading seats, or transferring to other members.

Non-Offered Amenities at Kansas Station

While Kansas City Union Station provides a lot of facilities, a few amenities are not currently available through the Amtrak section of the station:

• No high platform is available: A high platform sits at the level of the train vestibule, which this station does not offer, except for Superliner trains.

• No Metropolitan Lounge: Lounge access is not available at Kansas City for Acela or Business Class passengers, as neither Acela service nor a dedicated lounge operates here.

• No checked baggage service is currently available at the Amtrak Station in Kansas City.

NOTE: Passengers should carry a stable mobile data connection or download offline maps before arriving, as Amtrak station wifi coverage can be limited in the boarding area.

Ground Transportation Availability at KCY Station

Several ground transportation options connect Kansas City Union Station to the city and surrounding areas.

1. KC Streetcar: The Kansas City Streetcar connects to Union Station free of charge, running from Union Station through the downtown corridor to the River Market neighborhood. The streetcar runs until midnight Monday through Thursday, 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, with an off-peak of approximately 12 to 18 minutes.

2. RideKC Buses: The local RideKC bus network serves Kansas City Union Station, with bus rides currently fare-free, making commuting more affordable for passengers connecting from the station to other parts of the city.

3. Rideshares and Taxis: Uber and Lyft are readily available at the station for quick, on-demand transportation. Traditional taxis can also be found nearby and are a reliable option, particularly for late-night arrivals when the Southwest Chief arrives at Kansas City.

4. Rental Cars: Multiple rental companies are accessible at or close to Union Station, offering flexible options for local travel across the Kansas City metro area.

Travel Tips for the Kansas Station in Missouri

For traveling from the Amtrak Station in Kansas City, passengers can keep these tips in mind while boarding and deboarding the train.

• Reserve seats early: Purchasing tickets early secures the lowest fares, particularly for the Southwest Chief during peak travel periods and holidays. It might be difficult to book seats when the departure date is near, as the train fills quickly and prices also increase.

• Keep all documents ready: Amtrak staff check documents and reservations at the platform before boarding. Passengers using senior, student, or military discounts should have valid IDs immediately accessible for verification.

• Arrive early: Passengers with checked baggage should arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. Those without baggage should arrive at least 30 minutes before the train departs to allow time to locate the platform and board.

• Use the KC Streetcar to reach downtown: Union Station is the KC Streetcar line’s end, with signage inside the building directing passengers to the stop on Main Street.

• Use card for parking: The West Yards Parking Garage does not accept cash; passengers should bring a credit or debit card, or download the Park Smarter app in advance to manage parking payment.

Kansas City Union Station is the only station serving this city in Missouri and is located about 20 minutes drive from the downtown area. Multiple facilities and transportation options are available to reach the station. In addition, passengers should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes in advance to find the platform and board the train without hurrying.

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