Amtrak operates the Missouri River Runner, a 283-mile (455-kilometer) passenger train service in Missouri between Gateway Transportation Center in St. Louis and Union Station in Kansas City. The eastern section of the route mostly follows the Missouri River’s right bank.
The Missouri River Runner was first launched in 1980 as the Kansas City Mule and St. Louis Mule, and it was given its present name in 2009. As of 2023, there are two daily round excursions between Kansas City and St. Louis, one continuing north to Chicago Union Station as a Lincoln Service train. These services are offered under the Amtrak Midwest brand.
How to purchase Amtrak Missouri River Runner Train tickets? (online, phone, station)
Online:
This is the most convenient option. Visit the Amtrak website [https://www.amtrak.com/] and follow these steps:
- Select “St. Louis” and “Kansas City” (or your desired origin and destination) as your starting and ending points.
- Choose your travel date and click “Search.”
- Select the “Missouri River Runner” train from the search results.
- Choose your preferred seating class (coach or business class) and continue to the checkout process.
- You can create an Amtrak account for easier booking and reservation management.
Phone:
Call the Amtrak national call center at 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
- Have your travel dates and desired route ready.
- The Amtrak representative can guide you through the purchase process and answer any questions you might have.
Station:
Tickets can also be purchased in person at any Amtrak station, including the St. Louis Gateway Transportation Center and Kansas City Union Station.
- Locate the ticketing counter and inform the agent of your desired route and travel date.
- This option might involve waiting in line, so consider it if you prefer in-person interaction or have specific questions about ticket options at the station.
Fare Explanation: Coach vs. Business Class & Discounts
Coach vs. Business Class:
Here’s a table for fare options for the Missouri River Runner:
| Feature | Coach Class | Business Class |
| Seat Comfort | Reclining seats | More spacious seats, extra legroom |
| Amenities | Restrooms, Wi-Fi (varies), cafe car | Restrooms, Wi-Fi, dedicated car with attendant, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages |
| Refundability | Limited | Typically fully refundable (restrictions may apply) |
| Guest Rewards Points | Standard | 25% bonus points |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
Discounts:
Amtrak offers various discounts to reduce your fare. Here are some common options:
| Discount | Description |
| Senior (Age 65+) | Discounted fares for passengers aged 65 and over |
| Student | Discounted fares for verified students |
| AAA | Discounted fares for AAA members |
| Auto Train | Potential discount when combining train travel with car transport via Amtrak Auto Train |
| Promotional Fares | Special fares offered occasionally for specific routes or travel dates |
Schedule Highlights
- The travel duration between St. Louis and Kansas City is around 5.5 hours.
- The trip from St. Louis to Jefferson City takes around 2.5 hours.
- It takes more than three hours to go from Kansas City to Jefferson City.
- Trains leave St. Louis and Kansas City in the mornings and afternoons.
- Visit Amtrak.com to get the most recent schedules and timetables.
Stations and Stops
Stations
- Kansas City, MO – Union Station (KCY)
- Independence, MO (IDP)
- Lee’s Summit, MO (LEE)
- Warrensburg, MO (WAR)
- Sedalia, MO (SED)
- Jefferson City, MO (JEF)
- Hermann, MO (HEM)
- Washington, MO (WAH)
- Kirkwood, MO (KWD)
- St. Louis, MO – Gateway Station (STL)
Popular Stops
- Kansas City
- Independence
- Jefferson City
- Hermann
- St. Louis
Popular Destination Along the Route
Here are some of the popular destinations along the Missouri River Runner route:
| City | Description |
| Kansas City, MO | Largest city on the route, known for jazz music, barbecue, and fountains. |
| Independence, MO | Home of President Harry S. Truman and the starting point of the Oregon Trail. |
| Hermann, MO | German settlement is known for wineries and its annual Wurstfest celebration. |
| Jefferson City, MO | Capital of Missouri, home to the Missouri State Capitol building and Lewis and Clark Monument. |
| St. Louis, MO | Largest city on the eastern end of the route, known for Gateway Arch, Saint Louis Zoo, and City Museum. |
| Marysville, KS | Home to the world’s largest ball of twine and the Emmett Kelly Museum. |
| Boonville, MO | Historic town known for its architecture and Daniel Boone Home. |
| Washington, MO | Wine country with beautiful scenery and historic wineries. |
Most popular Amtrak Missouri River Runner routes
The most popular route for Amtrak Missouri River Runner is the train from Lee’s Summit to St. Louis. Trips from St. Louis to Kansas City and Kirkwood to Kansas City are also quite common.
Top Amtrak Missouri River Runner Routes
| Route | Daily Trips | Duration | Price |
| Lee’s Summit to St Louis | 1 | 5h 4m | $35 |
| St Louis to Kansas City | 1 | 5h 40m | $35 |
| Kirkwood to Kansas City | 1 | 5h 11m | $31 |
| St Louis to Jefferson City | 1 | 2h 25m | $24 |
| Kirkwood to Hermann | 1 | 1h 6m | $17 |
| Hermann to Kansas City | 1 | 4h 5m | $32 |
| Jefferson City to Kansas City | 1 | 3h 15m | $28 |
| Warrensburg to Kansas City | 1 | 1h 34m | $14 |
| Hermann to Lee’s Summit | 1 | 3h 18m | $31 |
Onboard Experience
Seating options
Coach Class Seat
Amtrak Missouri River Runner coach class offers comfortable seats with lots of legroom and no middle seats. You can also enjoy features like trays, reading lights and outlets. Each vehicle has bathrooms. If you’re an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you’ll earn points for your coach class travel.
Business Class Seat
Business class on the Amtrak Missouri River Runner offers a more comfortable and luxurious experience than coach class. You’ll enjoy features like extra legroom, wider seats and complimentary beverages. Also, you can choose your seat on several routes. If you’re an Amtrak Guest Rewards member, you’ll earn extra points when you travel in business class.
Amenities
The Missouri River Runner offers a comfortable journey with several amenities to enhance your travel experience:
Wi-Fi: To keep its customers connected while traveling, Amtrak provides basic WiFi connectivity in certain terminals and trains around the nation. Stay working or just relax and enjoy the journey to your destination.
Cafe Car Service: Most Amtrak lines, including the Missouri River Runner, provide cafe service, with a selection of meals, snacks, and drinks for sale. Customers of all service levels are welcome to visit the Cafe, which is open from early morning to late night.
Restrooms: Convenient restrooms are available on all Missouri River Runner trains. Some cars are also equipped with accessible restrooms for passengers with disabilities.
Accessible Features: Amtrak is committed to accessible travel. Their website provides information on features available on trains and at stations to ensure a comfortable journey for everyone, including:
- Designated accessible coach seats for passengers with mobility limitations.
- Wheelchair lifts on all trains for easy boarding and disembarking.
- Accessible restrooms for added convenience.
- Service animals are welcome onboard to accompany passengers with disabilities.
If you have specific accessibility needs, it’s always recommended to check with Amtrak in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Permitted Items on the Missouri River Runner
Here’s a breakdown of permitted items and any restrictions or fees associated with them:
Bicycles:
Not permitted on the Missouri River Runner train.
Pets:
Amtrak offers a pet program on certain routes, but the Missouri River Runner is not currently included. You can check if your desired travel route allows pets at https://www.amtrak.com/pets.
General Permitted Items:
- Carry-on luggage: Two carry-on bags (maximum weight 50 lbs each) and one personal item (purse, backpack, etc.) are allowed per passenger.
- Checked baggage: Amtrak offers checked baggage service for an additional fee. Check their website https://www.amtrak.com/checked-baggage for current rates and size limitations.
- Food and beverages: You can bring your food and non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption during your trip.
General Tips:
- Always check with Amtrak directly for the latest information on permitted items and any updates to their policies.
- Be sure to pack light as overhead storage space can be limited.
Contact information for Amtrak
Here are the different ways you can contact Amtrak:
Phone:
- Reservations & Customer Service: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
- TTY: 1-800-523-6590 (for hearing impaired)
- International Visitors: 1-215-856-7924
- Group Travel Requests: 1-800-872-1477
- Amtrak Guest Rewards: 1-800-307-5000
- Amtrak Vacations: 1-800-AMTRAK-2 (1-800-268-7252)
Website: You can submit an email inquiry through the Amtrak website’s Contact Us page https://www.amtrak.com/contact-us.
Amtrak Headquarters: (for general inquiries)
- Address: 1 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Washington, DC 20001
Resources for further information about the Amtrak Missouri River Runner Train
Here are some resources for further information about the Amtrak Missouri River Runner Train:
Amtrak Website:
General information and schedules: https://www.amtrak.com/missouri-river-runner-train
Missouri River Runner Website: https://moriverrunner.com/contact/ – This website offers a different perspective on the train, highlighting destinations and things to do along the route.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_River_Runner – This page provides a brief overview of the train’s history and route.