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✈️ Kansas City Airport

Kansas City has one airport — Kansas City International (MCI) — and it's a brand-new $1.5B single-terminal facility that opened February 2023. The new MCI is fast, modern, and ~25 min from downtown KC, ~30 min from Arrowhead Stadium.

MCI · 2023 New Terminal RideKC Bus 229 25 min Downtown

The Airport

Kansas City International (MCI)

Kansas City International — MCI
1 International Square · 18 mi NW of downtown KC · 28 mi NW of Arrowhead Stadium

Kansas City's only airport. The new $1.5B single-terminal facility opened February 2023, replacing the original 1972 three-terminal layout that frustrated travelers for 50 years. The new MCI is consistently rated one of the most user-friendly mid-sized US airports — short walks, smart security layout, plenty of food options, and TSA PreCheck/CLEAR throughout. Major airlines: Southwest (largest carrier), American, Delta, United, Alaska, Spirit, Frontier. Direct international flights to Mexico, Canada, and the UK (London-Heathrow on British Airways). Most international visitors will connect through Atlanta, Dallas, or Chicago.

IATA Code
MCI
Distance to Downtown
18 mi · ~25 min
Distance to Arrowhead
28 mi · ~30-35 min
Annual Passengers
~12 million
flykci.com ↗

Arrival Steps

Step-by-Step at MCI

01
Land at the New Terminal (1 single building)
Unlike the old three-terminal layout, the new MCI is a single elongated terminal with one main concourse on each side. International arrivals (mostly British Airways from London-Heathrow plus AeroMexico from Mexico City) clear US Customs in the lower-level Federal Inspection Services area. Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry kiosks dramatically speed up clearance — 5-15 min vs. 30-60 min for standard processing.
02
Pick Up Bags & Exit to Ground Transport
Bag belts run on the lower level; the new terminal has multiple carousels and bags typically arrive in 20-35 min. Exit to ground transport on the lower level — clearly signed for taxis, rideshare, RideKC bus 229, hotel shuttles, and rental cars (which are now all on-site at the consolidated facility, no shuttle needed).
03
Choose Your Ground Transport
Three main options: RideKC Bus 229 (cheapest, $2 to downtown — note: the free-fare era ends June 1, 2026, so $2 fares return for the World Cup), rental car (consolidated lot at the terminal, no shuttle needed), or rideshare/taxi ($35-50 to downtown, $45-65 to Arrowhead). Hotel shuttles are limited; check with your hotel.
04
Match Day Path: MCI → ConnectKC26 → Arrowhead
For Arrowhead Stadium on a match day: rideshare from MCI to the WWI Memorial Fan Festival hub downtown (~$35, 25 min), then the ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct shuttle ($15 RT, match ticket required) takes you the rest of the way. Or rideshare direct to the stadium ($45-65, ~30 min, expect heavy surge on match days). The bus 229 → Stadium Direct combo costs only ~$17 total for the full MCI-to-Arrowhead trip.

Getting from MCI to Kansas City / Arrowhead Stadium

RideKC Bus 229 to Downtown
$2 single ride · ~50 min · runs 5 AM – midnight
The cheapest legitimate transit option from MCI. Bus 229 runs from the lower-level transit stop at the terminal to downtown KC (Government Plaza / 12th & Main) every 30-60 minutes. Fares return to $2 on June 1, 2026 (after 6+ years of free RideKC fares ending). Slow but dependable. Pair with the free KC Streetcar in downtown to reach hotels along Main Street.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
$35-50 to downtown · $45-65 to Arrowhead · ~25-35 min
The fast, direct option. Designated rideshare zone on the lower level — clearly signed. From the new terminal you're on I-29 south within 5 min. Match-day surge to Arrowhead can push fares to $80-100; consider the rideshare-to-WWI-Memorial-then-shuttle combo to save money.
Rental Car
From $40-60/day · all major brands · on-site at the terminal
The new MCI consolidated all rental car operations into a single facility attached to the terminal — no shuttle needed. All major brands (Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Sixt) are on-site. Useful if you're planning day trips to Lawrence, Lake of the Ozarks, Branson, or St. Louis. Free parking is rare in downtown KC; budget $25-40/day for hotel parking on top of the rental.
Taxi
$45-55 to downtown · regulated flat rates available · 24/7
Taxis at MCI use regulated flat-rate zones — less surge variability than rideshare. Lower-level taxi stand, dispatched by the airport. Useful for groups with luggage who don't use rideshare apps.

MCI Terminal Guide

Navigating the New Terminal

The new MCI replaced the original 1972 three-terminal layout in February 2023. The single-terminal design has one main check-in hall, one TSA security checkpoint, and two main concourses (A and B) connected post-security. Walking time from any gate to the central area is under 10 minutes. Plenty of food, retail, and lounges throughout.

Terminal Layout
Single terminal with one TSA checkpoint and two concourses (A: gates A1-A19, B: gates B14-B43). Security has TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and standard lanes. International arrivals process on the lower level Federal Inspection Services area.
Food & Drink
Q39 BBQ (sit-down), Joe's Kansas City BBQ to-go, Char Bar, Pigwich, Shake Shack, multiple Starbucks, plus local KC concepts throughout. Food court at the central junction.
Lounges
Delta Sky Club, American Admirals Club, United Club, plus a Plaza Premium Lounge. The Plaza Premium Lounge accepts Priority Pass and is the best independent option.
Wi-Fi & Charging
Free unlimited airport Wi-Fi (FlyKCI). Power outlets and USB-C ports at every gate. The new terminal has been designed for laptop-friendly travel — plenty of seating with workspace.

All gates are within a 10-min walk from the central security area. The new MCI is consistently rated one of the most pleasant mid-sized US airports.

MCI Official Site ↗ RideKC Bus 229 ↗ ConnectKC26 Shuttle ↗

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