MCI · Kansas City, MO · Large Hub

Kansas City International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Kansas City International Airport (MCI), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal, airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 15 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 1 hr 30 min before domestic, 2 hr 30 min before international
  • To Kansas City: about 30 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes

Terminals & connections

Kansas City International Airport has 1 terminal. All are airside-connected; you can transfer between them without re-clearing security.

New Single Terminal (opened 2023)

11 airlines: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue, and more

Completely rebuilt terminal opened in 2023; replaces old horseshoe design.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
45 min
International to domestic
1 hr 15 min
International to international
1 hr
Transfer system
Walking only (new single-terminal design)
Airside connected
Yes

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave MCI.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at MCI is 15 minutes at peak and 5 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 1 hr 30 min before a domestic flight and 2 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Amenities

3 of 7 core amenities available at MCI: free WiFi, nursing rooms, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated very good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Not available

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (very good)

New airport with modern infrastructure.

Nursing rooms

Available

Multiple locations

Chapel

Not available

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Main: Arthur Bryant's BBQ, Boulevard Brewing Co.

Ground transport to Kansas City

MCI is about 30 min from downtown Kansas City by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
KCATA 229 Airport Bus
Bus
Bus to downtown.
 $2 50-75 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
 $30-$50 25-45 min

Parking

MCI parking ranges from $10/day economy to $26/day short-term.

Short-term
$26/day
Long-term
$18/day
Economy
$10/day
Valet
Not available

Can I leave MCI during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside MCI. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Kansas City. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr plus re-screening on return.

Downtown KC is 25-40 min by rideshare. 5+ hour layovers can grab BBQ at Jack Stack or Q39 downtown.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Courtyard KC Airport
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at MCI?

Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight from MCI, and 150 minutes before an international flight.

What is the minimum connection time at MCI?

MCI requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 75 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. All concourses are airside-connected, so you do not need to re-clear security when changing concourses.

How long does it take to get between terminals at MCI?

Budget 5 min for same-terminal transfers and 10 min for different-terminal transfers at MCI via Walking only (new single-terminal design).

Can I leave MCI during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside MCI. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 60 minutes plus re-screening. Downtown KC is 25-40 min by rideshare. 5+ hour layovers can grab BBQ at Jack Stack or Q39 downtown.

Does MCI have showers?

MCI does not have dedicated public showers. Paid lounge access is typically required for shower facilities.

Does MCI have sleep pods?

MCI does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at MCI?

Yes. MCI offers free WiFi throughout the airport. New airport with modern infrastructure.

What is the cheapest way to get from MCI to Kansas City?

The cheapest option is typically KCATA 229 Airport Bus at $2, taking 50-75 minutes. Bus to downtown.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at MCI?

MCI supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Typical peak-hour wait is 15 minutes.

Where should I eat at MCI during a layover?

Notable dining at MCI includes Arthur Bryant's BBQ (Main), Boulevard Brewing Co. (Main).

How much does parking cost at MCI?

MCI parking rates: $26/day short-term, $18/day long-term, $10/day economy. Book online in advance for significant discounts vs. drive-up rates.

Is there a hotel at MCI for overnight layovers?

The closest option is Courtyard KC Airport (5-min shuttle, $$). Budget time for the shuttle or rideshare in your overnight plan.

Are there pet relief areas at MCI?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Compare MCI to other airports

See how MCI ranks against the other 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers MCI is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods See which airports offer capsule hotels and nap rooms Shortest MCT MCI dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 15 min

Airlines operating at MCI

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of MCI.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with Kansas City International Airport before flying.