Kansas City International Airport (MCI) sits just northwest of the Kansas City metro area, serving both the Missouri and Kansas sides of this two-state region. The airport connects travelers to all major US hubs, plus cities across the country and limited destinations in Canada and Mexico.
I love flying through MCI. The airport’s new 40-gate terminal – which just opened recently – delivers an efficient layout, local eateries and plenty of space to spread out, making it a real pleasure for travelers.
How to get to and from MCI by bus, car, taxi and rideshare
Local RideKC bus line 229 runs roughly once an hour from around 4 am until 11 pm and takes about an hour to get into town. The line runs to the East Village Transit Center, with stops a couple of blocks from the KC Streetcar as well.
For faster trips, driving into Kansas City is typically much quicker than the bus. You’ll find taxis at columns 3A–3D on the Arrivals commercial curb, and app-based rideshare services including Lyft, Uber, and zTrip operate at signposts 2K–2N. Various shuttle and limousine services also operate at the airport.
I usually pick a rideshare or taxi over the bus, especially if I have luggage. Pre-booking local taxi and limo options can be convenient if you’re arriving early or late.
If I’m being picked up by a friend, I always have them wait in the free Cell Phone Waiting Lot at 680 Brasilia Avenue, near the Airport Marriott. I just drop them a text when I’m ready to head out of baggage claim and meet them at the Arrivals curb directly outside the terminal.
Most major car rental companies have outlets at MCI, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty. The rental car facility is away from the terminal and you can get there via the free Gray rental car buses running 24/7 from signpost 2E outside arrivals on the commercial curb.
If you have a super early or late flight, or if your flight gets canceled, an airport hotel might make sense. There’s the Kansas City Airport Marriott on the airport campus, but it’s not much more convenient than the dozens of other airport hotels out by Interstate 29, which many offer shuttles and are usually a lot cheaper.
Finding your way around MCI
MCI (coded for its old name, Mid-Continent International Airport) is really easy to get around thanks to its new single terminal design with 40 gates. After demolishing the old terminals, the new Kansas City terminal is modern and well-designed.
The terminal’s shaped like an H, with two concourses connected by a central walkway. Concourse A sits on the right side, housing the A gates. The terminal headhouse on the upper level contains check-in and ticketing, while baggage claim is on the lower Arrivals level.
The center bar of the H is the walkway over to Concourse B – a semi-satellite concourse where you’ll find the B gates and the Delta Sky Club lounge in the mezzanine above, with its entrance on the north side of the City Market food hall.
Arrivals is on the lower level with pickups at the Arrivals curb and commercial curb areas, while departures drop-off is on the upper level. Security is right behind the check-in counters and leads directly into Concourse A, with just a short walk to Concourse B if your flight is there.
Arriving at the airport
If you’re flying domestic, you’ll walk to the center of Concourse A and take the escalators or elevators down to the arrivals level to find baggage claim. It’s a simple process no matter which concourse you land in.
International flights arriving from Canada or Mexico go through a dedicated arrivals process with immigration, baggage claim and US customs before connecting to the central arrivals zone.
In the central arrivals area, you’ll find vending machines plus an &Go convenience shop open 24 hours for food, drinks and essentials. It’s a convenient setup that feels surprisingly modern.
Departures from Kansas City International Airport
I love how simple it is to fly out of MCI, and how compact yet feature-filled the terminal is. Most airlines recommend planning to be at the airport at least two hours before your flight, and this is one airport where spending a little extra time is no problem at all.
Eating and drinking options at MCI are solid with lots of local options. Don’t pass through Kansas City without trying the famous barbecue, with its sweet sauce featuring tomato, molasses and brown sugar.
Each concourse has its own barbecue joint – Meat Mitch in Concourse A and Stockyards Brewing Company in Concourse B. I find them comparable in quality, so there’s no need to head for one concourse over the other.
Coffee spots are everywhere, including a Dunkin’ in the ticketing area before security and another at Gate A16 after security. There’s no Starbucks, but plenty of local options instead.
MCI has two food halls that are great for picking up sandwiches, meals, snacks and drinks for the plane. The Made in KC Marketplace is in the Atrium A area of Concourse A, while the City Market food hall is at the center of Concourse B.
Pet relief areas are available throughout the terminal for traveling pets.
TSA security lines, Global Entry and Mobile Passport at MCI
TSA security lines at MCI are short compared with many larger airports, but they can back up during peak travel times. You can check current wait times using the MyTSA app.
A TSA PreCheck lane is available, just look for the signs. Check for CLEAR fast-track lanes if you’re a member.
On arrival from an international flight, you’ll find Global Entry kiosks for expedited clearance for approved members. Mobile Passport Control (MPC), which is kind of a Global-Entry-light, is also available at MCI for eligible travelers to submit their information via mobile app for expedited processing.
Lounges and free Wi-Fi at MCI Airport
Kansas City International Airport has one lounge: the Delta Sky Club in the mezzanine above Concourse B, with its entrance off the City Market food hall. It’s light, bright and airy, with plenty of chic seating and working spaces. The bar is a highlight, as are the two all-weather Sky Deck outdoor spaces.
A USO lounge near Baggage Claim #5 on the Arrivals level serves active, reserve and National Guard military members and their dependents. Just keep in mind that it’s outside of security, so you’ll need to save time to pass through before boarding.
Kansas City International Airport offers free and unlimited Wi-Fi access. Just look for the “MCI_FREE_WiFi” network on your device.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
