Two Amtrak routes stop at the beautiful Kansas City Union Station each day, the regional Missouri River Runner and the long-distance Southwest Chief route. You can take a day trip or overnight trip to explore small towns, big cities, and even a popular national park.
To start planning your trip, view the best Amtrak trips from Kansas City that don’t require a train transfer or middle-of-the-night travel. Destinations are listed from shortest to longest travel time.
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Table of Contents
Jefferson City
Jefferson City, Missouri is an easy Amtrak day trip from Kansas City. Trip time is about three hours, with arrival before noon and a return train in the early evening. The city is in a beautiful location on the Missouri River near bike trails, and there is a charming downtown area and bike rentals in walking distance of the train station.
Top attractions include the former Missouri State Penitentiary, Missouri State Capital (tours available), Missouri State Museum and the Jefferson Landing Historic Site. Consider checking out the Salute to America festival in July and Oktoberfest in September.
Hermann
Step off the train in Hermann, Missouri to experience old-world Europe. Settled by German immigrants, the town is about four hours away from Kansas City. Visit theĀ Deutschheim State Historic Site,Ā Historic Hermann MuseumĀ andĀ Hermann Farm Museum to learn about the area or explore the local wineries and tasting rooms. For more things to do, consider planning your trip around a special event such as Oktoberfest, Wine & Jazz Festival and the seasonal German Christmas market.
Inns and hotels are in walking distance of the Amtrak station, and Uber, Lyft, a trolley and other transportation services are available. If you don’t want to stay overnight, Hermann can technically be a quick day trip. You will have about five hours in the city before the return train assuming no delays.
St. Louis
St. Louis has big city amenities and unique landmarks. The Gateway Arch is the famous attraction, but there’s more to the city than that. Other things to check out include the City Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden, craft beer scene, and the massive Forest Park, which is 1,300 acres and contains lakes, nature areas, museums and the St. Louis Zoo.
Kansas City to St. Louis Overview
| Travel Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Missouri River Runner |
| Frequency | Multiple trains each day |
| Travel time | 5.5 hours |
| Overnight | No |
| Arrival station | St. Louis Gateway Station (STL) |
| Arrival area | Very walkable |
| Where to stay | Hotels in downtown St. Louis are near the station and attractions, or stay near Forest Park for a more relaxed atmosphere |
Chicago
Head to Chicago for museums, beaches, festivals, live music, and more. You’ll arrive in the afternoon at the historic Chicago Union Station and have the option to return to Kansas City the following day. Considering all the great restaurants, nightlife, and attractions, you may want to stay two nights or more.
You can also transfer to many other Amtrak routes in Chicago. See the best Amtrak trips from Chicago to learn about other destinations you can visit.
Kansas City to Chicago Overview
| Travel Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Southwest Chief |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Travel time | 7.5 hours |
| Overnight | No |
| Arrival station | Chicago Union Station (CHI) |
| Arrival area | Walkable |
| Where to stay | Stay next to the Chicago Riverwalk for water views and easy access to attractions and L trains (view hotels) |
Las Vegas (New Mexico)
To experience the Wild West, hop on the train in Kansas City and travel 14.5 hours to reach Las Vegas, New Mexico. The city has over 900 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and hasnāt changed much since Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday, Jesse James and other outlaws walked the streets. Be sure to check out theĀ Plaza HotelĀ that opened in 1882 — Theodore Roosevelt visited here in 1899 as part of aĀ Rough RidersĀ reunion.
The Castaneda Hotel, which was formerly a Harvey House for railroad passengers, is next to the Amtrak station if you are looking for historic (and convenient) place to stay. Other hotels, restaurants and shops are also in walking distance. Plan to stay in Las Vegas at least one night.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a destination full of outdoor and cultural activities. Top attractions includeĀ Old Town,Ā Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and the Sandia Peak Tramway (pictured top of page). Thereās also aĀ zoo,Ā botanic garden and a Breaking Bad tour to check out.
Consider planning your trip around the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which is a top event in the fall. The train takes about 18 hours from Kansas City, but thanks to the nearby airport, you can fly back to Kansas City if you’d rather not take the train back.
Flagstaff
Flagstaff is a walkable city on Route 66 that is full of art galleries. The first Dark Sky City in the United States, it’s also an amazing place for stargazing. Plus, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Walnut Canyon National Monument, and the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort are nearby for outdoor recreation and sightseeing.
You can rent a car in town (Budget is closest to the Amtrak station and provides pick-up service), but due to the evening arrival in Flagstaff, you may need to wait until the following morning to get your car. There are also many Flagstaff tours that provide transportation to major attractions, and rideshare services are options for getting around town.
Unless you want to travel in the middle of the night, we recommend getting on the westbound train to California after your stay in Flagstaff. In California you can fly back to Kansas City from several airports, or return via the Southwest Chief after a brief daytime stay in Riverside, Fullerton or Los Angeles. You’ll arrive in these cities in the morning and the eastbound train departs early evening.
Los Angeles
For a long-distance train vacation, travel to Los Angeles. Thereās plenty to see and do in the city, including the Getty Center, Griffith Observatory, Universal Studios, Hollywood Sign, and the Santa Monica Pier (pictured above).
For the return trip, there are many flights at nearby airports or consider continuing your train adventure with a transfer to the Pacific Surfliner or the Coast Starlight.
Kansas City to Los Angeles Overview
| Travel Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Southwest Chief |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Travel time | 35 hours |
| Overnight | Yes (2 nights) |
| Arrival station | Los Angeles Union Station (LAX) |
| Arrival area | Somewhat walkable |
| Where to stay | Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and Beverly Hills are great areas to stay |
More Information
- Amtrak stations in Missouri
- Most scenic part of the Southwest Chief route
- Top attractions along the Missouri River Runner route
- Amtrak’s long-distance trains
Top photo āAlbuquerque cable carā by Mike McBey, CC BY 2.0
Last updated March 2026
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