Amtrak Missouri River Runner Train: A Complete Rider Guide

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)

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 management of your reservations.

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:

FeatureCoach ClassBusiness Class
Seat ComfortReclining seatsMore spacious seats, extra legroom
AmenitiesRestrooms, Wi-Fi (varies), cafe carRestrooms, Wi-Fi, dedicated car with attendant, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages
RefundabilityLimitedTypically fully refundable (restrictions may apply)
Guest Rewards PointsStandard25% bonus points
PriceLowerHigher

Discounts:

Amtrak offers various discounts to reduce your fare. Here are some common options:

DiscountDescription
Senior (Age 65+)Discounted fares for passengers aged 65 and over
StudentDiscounted fares for verified students
AAADiscounted fares for AAA members
Auto TrainPotential discount when combining train travel with car transport via Amtrak Auto Train
Promotional FaresSpecial 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

Missouri river runner train 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:

CityDescription
Kansas City, MOLargest city on the route, known for jazz music, barbecue, and fountains.
Independence, MOHome of President Harry S. Truman and the starting point of the Oregon Trail.
Hermann, MOGerman settlement is known for wineries and its annual Wurstfest celebration.
Jefferson City, MOCapital of Missouri, home to the Missouri State Capitol building and Lewis and Clark Monument.
St. Louis, MOLargest city on the eastern end of the route, known for Gateway Arch, Saint Louis Zoo, and City Museum.
Marysville, KSHome to the world’s largest ball of twine and the Emmett Kelly Museum.
Boonville, MOHistoric town known for its architecture and Daniel Boone Home.
Washington, MOWine country with beautiful scenery and historic wineries.

Most popular Amtrak Missouri River Runner routes

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

RouteDaily TripsDurationPrice
Lee’s Summit to St Louis15h 4m$35
St Louis to Kansas City15h 40m$35
Kirkwood to Kansas City15h 11m$31
St Louis to Jefferson City12h 25m$24
Kirkwood to Hermann11h 6m$17
Hermann to Kansas City14h 5m$32
Jefferson City to Kansas City13h 15m$28
Warrensburg to Kansas City11h 34m$14
Hermann to Lee’s Summit13h 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 

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.

FAQs

Do Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains have Wi-Fi?

Yes, Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains have Wi-Fi. However, the connection may be weak or unavailable in some areas, especially in rural areas. It’s a good idea to have other entertainment options like books or downloaded movies just in case. Wi-Fi on Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains is great for browsing the web, checking emails and chatting with friends, but it may not be suitable for playing videos.

Does the train have power outlets or USB plugs?

Yes, Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains have power outlets. You can find them in most rows of seats. Take care of your seatmate and share outlets when needed. You can charge both computers and USB devices using a USB adapter. However, some trains may not have power outlets, so it’s a good idea to bring a power bank for longer journeys.

What is the schedule for the Amtrak Missouri River Runner?

Amtrak Missouri River Runner typically has 23 scheduled train runs each day. However, the actual departure and arrival hours vary according to the day and route. 

Can you pick up a Will Call ticket at the station?

No, you cannot pick up tickets at the station for the Amtrak Missouri River Runner. You need to buy them online in advance and make sure you have everything ready before arriving at the station.

Do you need an ID to board the train?

Yes, you need a valid government-issued ID to board the Amtrak Missouri River Runner. Student ID will not be accepted.

Do Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains have bathrooms?

Yes, Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains have bathrooms. They are simple with toilets, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer, but often lack running water. Be careful when using the bathroom on a moving train.

Are food or drinks available?

Yes, Amtrak Missouri River Runner offers food and beverages. Be sure to bring a credit card or cash for payment.

Need to print your Amtrak Missouri River Runner ticket?

You do not need a printed ticket for the Amtrak Missouri River Runner. After making the reservation you will receive an e-ticket via email. Just show your phone to the e-ticket agent when you board.

Does the Amtrak Missouri River Runner offer any premium features such as extra legroom or movies?

The Amtrak Missouri River Runner offers high-quality amenities. If you don’t like cramped seats, you’ll appreciate the extra legroom they provide. While the exact amount of extra space may vary, it’s definitely a good thing.

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