Book Your Flight

• Kansas City International Airport, code MCI, is served by several large airlines including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. Please make sure MCI is listed as your final destination.
• Confirm your flight details at least three days before leaving your country.
• Arrange to arrive in Kansas City no later than the Program Start/Begin Date, noted on your I-20 or DS-2019. You cannot arrive in the United States more than 30 days before your reporting date (for F-1 visa holders, this date is noted on your I-20 as Earliest Arrival Date).
• Airlines have a maximum weight requirement per suitcase. You may want to ship some items to the university before you leave your country.

In Transit

• Carry your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, admission letter, bank or funding verification and any other official or original documents like transcripts or diplomas with you.
• Do not carry a large amount of cash. Have only enough to cover initial expenses such as taxi or bus fare, meals and housing for when you first arrive.
• Never leave your luggage unattended.

On Arrival

Transportation

• Taxi - The rates for transportation by taxi are $2.50 plus $2.10 per mile. Taxi service can be requested by phone by calling 816-243-2345 after you've arrived and collected your bags.
• Ride Share - Ride share services such as Uber, Lyft, Iris, or zTrip can take you from the airport to your final destination in the Kansas City area. Rates vary based on mileage and time of day. Please be sure you have collected all of your bags prior to booking a ride with any app-based service.
• Shuttle Services - Information about different private shuttle services available for reservation can be found on VisitKC's transportation page.
• Metro Bus - Kansas City International Airport (MCI) is served by RideKC Route #229 (Boardwalk-KCI). RideKC buses are available for all riders for free through December 31, 2023. In 2024, bus fare information will be published on RideKC's Fares and Passes page.

Hotels

The average cost per night at a local hotel ranges from $125 to $200 USD. You can get a special rate if you call the hotel directly and tell them you are a UMKC student.

• Seville Plaza Hotel, Kansas City Plaza Trademark Collection by Wyndham 4309 Main St. (1.4mi/2.3km from campus)
  
  • +1(816)561-9600
• Embassy Suites by Hilton Kansas City Plaza 220 W. 43rd St.(1.4mi/2.3km)
  • +1(816)756-1720
• Marriott Country Club Plaza 4445 Main St. (0.9mi/1.45km from campus)
  
  • +1(816)531-3000
• Hilton Kansas City Country Club Plaza 770 W. 47th St. (1.1 mi./1.8km)
  
  • +1(816)931-4400
• (Extended Stay America) Suites Kansas City - Country Club Plaza 4535 Main St. (1mi/1.6km)
  
  • +1(816)531-2212

Housing

• University housing does not come with admission.
• You are not required to live on campus.
• We recommend you make housing reservations before coming to Kansas City.

Review housing options