Cheap train tickets from Kansas City to Los Angeles

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Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Travelling by train from Kansas City to Los Angeles usually takes 1 day, 15 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Southwest Chief train can make the trip in 1 day, 11 hours and 50 minutes.

Distance: 1354 mi (2180 km)
Fastest train: 35h 50m
Lowest price: US$154.00
Trains per day: 3
Most frequent service: Amtrak
Train lines: 2

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Kansas City to Los Angeles Train Timetable

Is it better to travel by coach or train from Kansas City to Los Angeles?

There are usually 4 daily coach trips from Kansas City to Los Angeles.

	Train	Coach
Avg. Price	Avg. PriceUS$231.10	Avg. PriceUS$225.01Cheaper
Daily Trips	Daily Trips3	Daily Trips4
Duration	Duration39h 9mFaster	Duration39h 12m

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for trains from Kansas City to Los Angeles (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

4.0

ADEOLA

10 May 2025 - Holiday

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: Announcement and free breakfast Cons: The rest room could be cleaner Tips: It's convenient, comfortable and adventurous.

4.0

Elizabeth

29 December 2019 - Solo travel

Amtrak Southwest Chief

Pros: The staff was very helpful and friendly. Cons: The bathrooms were disgusting and could use a deep clean.

There are several train options that can take you from Kansas City to Los Angeles:

See more details

What is the price of a train ticket from Kansas City to Los Angeles?

In the last month, train tickets from Kansas City to Los Angeles cost about US$204 when booked at the cheapest time. Considering the distance between Kansas City and Los Angeles, tickets on this route are relatively expensive. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 10 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around US$51.68 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Kansas City to Los Angeles by travel date

Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Kansas City to Los Angeles will cost between US$169 and US$328. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.

Average train ticket prices from Kansas City to Los Angeles by month

Ticket prices for the train from Kansas City to Los Angeles often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in August when the average ticket price is only US$197. If you're thinking of travelling from Kansas City to Los Angeles during July, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of US$257 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in July, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

By booking your train trip from Kansas City to Los Angeles on Wanderu at least 10 days ahead of time, you can save about US$51.68 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Kansas City to Los Angeles?

2 train services operate from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 2 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

Train	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	39h 16m	US$231.55
Amtrak Southwest Chief	1	35h 55m	US$218.75

Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 2 Amtrak trains from Kansas City to Los Angeles every day, as well as 4 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from US$163.
The Southwest Chief is a passenger train operated by America’s largest train service, Amtrak. The full route travels over 2,200 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles, which takes over 43 hours. The train covers the stretch from Kansas City to Los Angeles in about 1 day, 11 hours and 55 minutes. In addition to standard Coach Class seats, the Southwest Chief offers several sleeper cabin options on longer journeys. Amtrak’s Southwest Chief is consistently ranked as one of the most scenic train routes in America, thanks to the stunning views of the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, and the Grand Canyon you’ll see from your train window.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Kansas City to Los Angeles

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Kansas City to Los Angeles. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a coach or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

There are 3 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Kansas City to Los Angeles. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip. You can also take a train for your return trip from Los Angeles to Kansas City. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Kansas City to Los Angeles for US$119.

Trains per day

Direct trains

The distance between Kansas City and Los Angeles is approximately 1,354 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 1 day, 15 hours and 9 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 1 day, 11 hours and 50 minutes. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Distance (mi)

1354

Distance (km)

2180

The earliest train departs Kansas City at 21:37 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:37. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.

First train

9:37pm

Last train

9:37pm

Trains from Kansas City to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Friday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Busiest

Monday

Least crowded

Friday

City Information

Kansas City

Straddling two states, Kansas City is a vibrant modern city with plenty of activities for visitors. Those wishing to learn more about the city’s culture and history should not miss out on the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which offers artworks for both children and adults alike. If you seek something a bit quirkier and more interesting, the Arabia Steamboat Museum will certainly satisfy your curiosity. While you are in town, don’t forget to pay the Boulevard Brewing Company a visit. It is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest and the source of pride from many local residents.

Kansas City’s signature barbecue is another source of pride, and you should take every occasion to try it out. Some noticeable venues with well-received barbecue dishes include Danny Edwards Boulevard BBQ and Arthur Bryant's Barbeque. If that’s not really your thing, The Farmhouse and Providence New American Kitchen are also worth checking out.

Kansas City’s principal coach station is located on Troost Ave, and it offers coach trips to Chicago, Wichita and Denver, among many other places. Kansas City Union Station provides Amtrak intercity train services, and the trains Missouri River Runner and Southwest Chief pass through the station on their way. Kansas City International Airport is located 15 miles northwest of Downtown.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the undisputed world capital of the entertainment business. Because of that, the City of Angels is where you will find some of the most iconic landmarks of the film and music industries, including the world-famous Walk of Fame and Dolby Theatre (home of the Academy Awards) on Hollywood Boulevard, the easily recognizable Capitol Records building at Hollywood & Vine, and the LA Live complex in Downtown Los Angeles.

The best part of LA is that it has something to offer for people of all interests: outdoor enthusiasts can hike up to the Hollywood sign, fashion aficionados can go shopping in Beverly Hills, art lovers can check out the prominent Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) in the Miracle Mile district, and those looking for a fun night out can go bar-hopping in West Hollywood. Are you a Pokémon GO addict? Well then this is the place for you because LA is the best city to catch the rarest Pokémon in the U.S.. And if you want to want to experience the famed golden coast of Southern California for yourself, head west to Santa Monica and Venice for a refreshing dip in the Pacific Ocean.

With one of the biggest airports on the West Coast and several coach and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighbouring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Kansas City?

Main departure station: Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd

Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd - KCYAMT-0

Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd - KCYAMT-1

Union Station in Kansas City is a grand, historic station dating back to 1914 with an imposing columned facade and intricately carved coffered ceilings. The station is truly a destination in itself, where you can explore a series of museums, a planetarium, a 3D theatre, and upscale dining options. Train service still runs through Union Station, though, and you can catch the Missouri River Runner to St. Louis or the Southwest Chief to Chicago or Los Angeles. Paid parking, toilets, and a mothers’ nursing room can be found at the station. Just steps outside are some of the highlights of Kansas City, from Legoland Discovery Center to Penn Valley Park’s various memorials and museums.

All train stations in Kansas City:

Union Station - 30 W Pershing Rd

Where is the train station in Los Angeles?

Main arrival station: 10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth

There are more train stations and stops in Los Angeles than most cities. Most trains from Kansas City will stop at one (or more) of the 3 following stations in Los Angeles:

Train stations in Los Angeles:

10040 Old Depot Plaza Rd, Chatsworth
Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd
Union Station

Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Kansas City?

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