- Must visit
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
A major art museum with an encyclopaedic collection, sculpture grounds and a striking mix of historic and modern architecture.
Cheapest price
£70
Average price
£111
Fastest journey
7 h 23 m
Average duration
13 h
Trains per day
5
Distance
661 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO will cost around £111 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap train tickets today for only £70.
Of the 5 trains that leave Chicago, IL for Kansas City, MO every day 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
These direct trains cover the 661 km distance in an average of 13 h but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 7 h 23 m .
The slowest trains will take 19 h 45 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
301 Lincoln Service · 319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief
3 Southwest Chief
59 City Of New Orleans · 8358 AMTRAK · 311 Missouri River Runner
3 Southwest Chief
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief
301 Lincoln Service · 319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner
59 City Of New Orleans · 8358 AMTRAK · 311 Missouri River RunnerOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from £50. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 43m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.2 - 0.6kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of £50, and a flight costs an average of £109.
Distance: 661 km
Most popular Train | Coach | Flight |
|---|---|---|
£68 Average Price Cheapest | £70 Average Price | £238 Average Price |
9h 37m Average total duration 9h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 37m Average total duration 11h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 43m Average total duration Fastest 1h 43m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.6kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.7 - 1.6kg CO2 emissions | 2.0 - 4.0kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
The table below shows live departures for Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO trains for tomorrow, Saturday 22 August. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
301 Lincoln Service · 319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner | 7:15 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 13h36 | 20:51 Kansas City Station, Kansas City, MO | 1 change | |
381 Carl Sandburg · 3 Southwest Chief | 7:40 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 13h13 | 20:53 Kansas City Station, Kansas City, MO | 1 change | |
319 Lincoln Service Missouri River Runner | 9:50 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 11h01 | 20:51 Kansas City Station, Kansas City, MO | 0 changesdirect | |
3 Southwest Chief | 13:30 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 7h23 | 20:53 Kansas City Station, Kansas City, MO | 0 changesdirect | |
59 City Of New Orleans · 8358 AMTRAK · 311 Missouri River Runner | 18:05 Chicago Union Station, Chicago, IL | 19h45 | 13:50 Kansas City Station, Kansas City, MO | 2 changes |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, coach and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO run on average 5 times per day, taking around 9h 7m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at £50 but you can travel from only £40 by coach.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 07:01, the last at 22:17. The fastest train covers the 661 km distance in 7h 23m.
Distance 661 km |
Average train duration 9h 7m |
Cheapest ticket price £50 |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 7h 23m |
First train 7:01 |
Last train 22:17 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 28 days |
Discover the best of Kansas City, MO — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kansas City, MO trip today.
A major art museum with an encyclopaedic collection, sculpture grounds and a striking mix of historic and modern architecture.
A baseball museum celebrating Black leagues, players and community history through artefacts, exhibitions and powerful storytelling.
A contemporary art museum in a renovated newspaper building, known for changing exhibitions and a lively cultural programme.
A restored rail hub with grand interiors, exhibitions and events, serving as one of the city’s busiest visitor centres.
A lively historic district associated with jazz, murals and nightlife, important for understanding the city’s cultural identity.
A creative arts district with galleries, street art and monthly events, popular for browsing studios and local culture on foot.
Smoked pork ribs with a thick, sweet-tangy tomato and molasses sauce. Kansas City barbecue is the city’s signature style and a local point of pride.
Slow-smoked beef brisket served sliced or chopped, often with rich burnt bark and sweet-smoky sauce. A staple of Kansas City barbecue joints.
Twice-smoked ends trimmed from a brisket point, caramelised with sauce until sticky and charred. Burnt ends are one of Kansas City’s most famous bites.
Long-running casual barbecue spot famed for hickory-smoked meats, especially burnt ends, with a classic local atmosphere.
Refined New American dining with Midwestern influences, tasting menus and an intimate fine dining atmosphere in the Crossroads area.
Well-known barbecue restaurant serving slow-smoked meats, beans and hearty sides in a bustling, family-friendly environment.
Moderate for US city breaks: hotels are often cheaper than coastal cities, dining is reasonable, and transport costs are manageable, though car use can add expense.
Tip 18-20% in restaurants, 10-15% for taxis, and round up or add $1 per drink or coffee in cafés and bars.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Kansas City, MO, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Chicago, IL to Kansas City, MO trains use the Union Station to Kansas City Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Chicago, IL and Kansas City, MO train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Union Station is 3 km from Chicago city centre. Public transport options include:
Union Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lounge, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, Lou Mitchell's
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Union Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Union Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Union Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Union Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Union Station: Elevators, ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Kimpton Gray Hotel, JW Marriott Chicago, W Chicago - City Center.
Kansas City Station is 1 km from Kansas City city centre. Public transport options include:
Kansas City Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Pierpont's at Union Station, Harvey's at Union Station
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Ticket office support is available at Kansas City Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Kansas City Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Kansas City Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Kansas City Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Kansas City Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center, Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, Hotel Kansas City.
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