Pre-Arrival Information

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 UberLyft, 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.

  • Best Western Seville Plaza Hotel - 4309 Main Street (1.4mi/2.3km from campus)
  • InterContinental Kansas City - 401 Ward Parkway (1.0mi/1.6km from campus)
  • Marriott Country Club Plaza - 4445 Main Street (0.9mi/1.45km from campus)
  • Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza - 770 W. 47th Street (1.1mi/1.8km)
  • Embassy Suites Kansas City-Plaza - 220 W. 43rd Street (1.2mi/1.9km)

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