World / North America / USA / The Great Plains / Missouri / Kansas City / Arrival
From the Kansas City International Airport, twenty miles northwest of downtown, a convenient forty-minute shuttle bus (half-hourly 6am–11.55pm; 816/243-5000) heads to major downtown hotels ($16) and Westport ($17). The equivalent taxi-ride costs around $45; call Yellow Cab ( 816/471-5000). The isolated Greyhound terminal lies well out from downtown in a miserable area at 1101 Troost Ave. Amtrak is in the Union Station at 23rd and Main streets, opposite Crown Center.
The city's main visitor center is tucked away on the 22nd floor of City Center Square at 1100 Main St (Mon– Fri 8.30am–5pm; 816/221-5242 or 1-800/767-7700, www.visitkc.com ); additional information offices are housed in the Country Club Plaza at 4709 W Central St (daily 8am–6pm; 1-800/767-7700) and in the Grand Hallway of Union Station.
The Metro Buses system offers a three-day visitor pass ($8; 816/221-0660, www.kcata.org ) covering downtown, and routes out to Independence.
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