Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is 18 miles northwest of downtown. A dedicated airport terminal opened in 2023, replacing the original 1970s split-concourse design — one of the only airports in American history to be widely mourned at its demolition. The new terminal has a single concourse with all the usual domestic carriers; direct international flights are limited. Taxis, rideshares, and shuttle buses connect the airport to downtown; the drive takes 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Amtrak serves Kansas City from Chicago (the Southwest Chief) and from St. Louis (the Missouri River Runner), both routes several times a week. The station is at Union Station, in the heart of downtown. By car, Kansas City sits at the intersection of I-70 (east-west, connecting St. Louis and Denver) and I-35 (north-south, connecting Kansas City to Wichita and Dallas in the south, and to Des Moines and Minneapolis in the north). It is a major road hub and most regional cities are within a day's drive.