The Amtrak Missouri River Runner will show off the “Show Me” state in all it’s glory. Amtrak gives you an adventure like no other as you travel from St. Louis to Kansas City. As the name reveals you will be traveling along the Missouri River for part of the journey.
The Missouri River Runner will take you from St. Louis to Kansas City via Independence, Lee’s Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington and Kirkwood.
Contents
Train Info
 | Wifi | Yes |
 | Observation Car | No |
 | Dining Car | No |
 | Cafe | Yes |
 | Distance | 283 Miles |
 | Time | 6 Hours |
 | Operating Speed | 50 Mph |
Ticket Options
On the Missouri River Runner you can purchase tickets in these categories (sample summer fares for 2 people shown):
- Coach ($72)
- Business ($116)
Scenic Views
The Missouri River Runner will show you a beautiful view of the “Show Me” State. Travel along the Missouri River and see a part of the state you will not experience on I-70. This route is only a couple hours longer than traveling by car. Take side trip to enjoy all the historical sites along the way. You can visit wineries, museums as well as national parks and monuments. The beauty of this train route is that you can connect with several great train routes which makes for a great vacation.
Major Stations
The major and notable stations on the Amtrak Missouri River Runner are St. Louis, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington and Kirkwood and Kansas City.
States Visited
The Amtrak Missouri River Runner only travels in Missouri . You will not leave the state but you will have access to some great cities on this train.
Station Reviews
The Missouri River Runner has terminus stations of St. Louis on one end and Kansas City on the other. Both stations have services available. There is no food available at the St. Louis Transportation Center while the Kansas City Union has a lot to offer. The Kansas City Union Station is a whole experience, be sure to arrive early to take some of the entertainment in. Both stations have lounges.
Both stations also offer free checked baggage, up to 2 bags per person of 50lbs.
St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center
This is an inter modal station servicing Amtrak trains, Greyhound Line and Burlington Trailways interstate buses. The largest rail station is one block east at St. Louis Union Station. This station has ATM’s and a First Class Lounge. You can check baggage at this station.
There is one hotel very close to St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center, which is the OYO Downtown. It is not the highest rated hotel, so unless you really need to be right next to the station, you might be better off taking a cab from one further away. We stayed at Live! by Loews, which is right next to the St. Louis Cardinals baseball stadium. We attended the game there and were also able to walk to the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River. This hotel is fabulous and recommended. We took a cab to the hotel, but figured out we could just ride the St. Louis Metro back to the Amtrak station when we left, it is only 1 stop away.
Kansas City Union Station
This station is a great place to visit. It features exhibits, movies, restaurants and even a science center. This 100 year old station is a hub of culture, education and entertainment. There is a lot to keep you entertained while you wait for your train. You can check your bags at this station. Be sure to arrive early to check bags and take in some of the entertainment available.
There are some hotels in the area near the station. One of the best is the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center. This hotel is next to the Legoland Center if you want to plan a visit before your trip.
Trip Planning
The Amtrak Missouri River Runner can be paired with several other trains for a longer vacation. You can board the Texas Eagle from St. Louis or the Southwest Chief from Kansas City.
Booking Tickets
Before booking a ticket for any Amtrak train, use our Amtrak ticket booking guide. It can help you purchase tickets at the lowest price in any class. Amtrak also runs sales and discounts on most routes.
For more information on Amtrak trains check out our Amtrak Tips page. We also have a route guide for each train and station lists for each state that can be accessed on the menu or by clicking here.
Tickets for Amtrak can be booked at Amtrak.com or using their app on your phone. Reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
