Conservation > Consumption

Missouri travel options...

...between Kansas City and St. Louis (without leaving the ground)

Travelers between Kansas City and St. Louis typically think of two choices – drive or fly. But there are other options. Amtrak, Greyhound, and Megabus can get you across the state in as little as 4 hours and 10 minutes. There's no discount on a round-trip ticket, so you're free to "mix and match" – for example, go by Greyhound or Megabus and return by Amtrak. Note that both Greyhound and Amtrak now serve the new Gateway Station in St. Louis, adjacent to MetroLink.

We've compiled a schedule and other info about the three carriers for your convenience. Make your next trip more earth-friendly by staying on the ground.

Eastbound, Kansas City ---> St. Louis
Carrier   Depart   Arrive   Stops
G   0715   1140   Boonville, Columbia, St. Louis
A   0730   1310   St. Louis and intermediate stops – see notes
M   1130   1620   Columbia, St. Louis
G   1250   1715   Boonville, Columbia, St. Louis
A   1600   2140   St. Louis and intermediate stops – see notes
M   2045   0100   St. Louis (non-stop)
G   2200   0225   Boonville, Columbia, St. Louis

Westbound, St. Louis ---> Kansas City
Carrier   Depart   Arrive   Stops
G   0120   0530   Kansas City (non-stop)
M   0530   1000   Kansas City (non-stop)
G   0730   1155   Columbia, Boonville, Kansas City
A   0830   1410   Kansas City and intermediate stops – see notes
M   1500   1950   Columbia, Kansas City
A   1600   2140   Kansas City and intermediate stops – see notes
G   1855   2320   Columbia, Boonville, Kansas City

Notes:

A - Amtrak
  Tickets by phone, 1-800-872-7245, or www.amtrak.com. Reservations recommended. Stops at Independence, Lee's Summit, Warrensburg, Sedalia, Jefferson City, Hermann, Washington, Kirkwood. One-way fare varies, generally $26, higher on busy days. (Amtrak on-time performance has improved dramatically in recent months.Check http://www.amtrakdelays.com for recent performance.)
  Stations
Kansas City
- Union Station, Pershing and Main - Transit Routes MAX, 27, 51, 57, 142, others
St. Louis - Gateway Station, 430 S 15th. - Transit routes MetroLink and many bus routes

   
   
G - Greyhound
  Tickets by phone, 1-800-231-2222, or www.greyhound.com. Intermediate stops – Boonville, Columbia, Lambert Airport – see schedule. One-way fare: typically $46.00, less for 7-day or 14-day advance purchase.
  Bus Terminals
Kansas City
- 1101 Troost - Transit routes 12, 25
St. Louis - Gateway Station, 430 S 15th. - Transit routes MetroLink and many bus routes
   
   
M - Megabus
  Tickets available only through website, www.megabus.com. Intermediate stops – Columbia – see schedule. One-way fare typically $28.00, more or less, depending on how far in advance you reserve.
  On-street boarding locations
Kansas City
- 3rd and Grand Transit Center – Transit routes MAX, 57, 110, 173
St. Louis - On 20th at Market St. (west side of Union Station) - MetroLink and other transit routes nearby

Schedules and fares subject to change. Make your plans early for best fares.

Transit:
  St. Louis www.metrostlouis.org 314-231-2345
  Kansas City www.kcata.org 816-221-0660

You don’t have to drive to travel across Missouri. Make your next trip an earth-friendly trip.

Prepared by the Thomas Hart Benton Group of the Sierra Club, Kansas City, Missouri.     www.sierraclub.org/missouri/thb

Last update: March 25, 2009