Cheap train tickets from Kansas City to Los Angeles

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

Trip Summary

There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Traveling by train from Kansas City to Los Angeles usually takes 38 hours and 40 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Southwest Chief train can make the trip in 36 hours and 35 minutes.

Distance	1354 mi (2180 km)
Fastest train	36h 35m
Lowest price	$149.00
Trains per day	1
Most frequent service	Amtrak
Train lines	2

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Kansas City to Los Angeles Train Schedule

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

May 10, 2025 - Vacation

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

December 29, 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, the average price of a train ticket from Kansas City to Los Angeles was $181.14. This is somewhat expensive compared to other train fares, but it makes sense given the route’s long distance. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 28 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $77.86 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 $156 and $227. 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 September when the average ticket price is only $190. If you're thinking of traveling from Kansas City to Los Angeles during June, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $266 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in June, 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 28 days ahead of time, you can save about $77.86 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

What train companies travel from Kansas City to Los Angeles?

There are multiple trains that travel from Kansas City to Los Angeles, including Amtrak, Amtrak Southwest Chief. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular train lines:

TRAIN	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Amtrak	2	39h 13m	$204.59
Amtrak Southwest Chief	1	36h 35m	$192.04

Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, free WiFi and power outlets 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 on the weekends, with prices starting from $161.
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 36 hours and 35 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 traveling by train from Kansas City to Los Angeles

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 traveling by train, you could always take the bus from Kansas City to Los Angeles for $129.

TRIPS PER DAY

DIRECT TRIPS

The distance between Kansas City and Los Angeles is approximately 1354 miles, or 2180 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 38 hours and 40 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 36 hours and 35 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 spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies 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 9:37pm while the last train of the day leaves at 9:37pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

EARLIEST TRAIN

9:37pm

LATEST TRAIN

9:37pm

Trains from Kansas City to Los Angeles are the most crowded on Sunday. 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 traveling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

MOST CROWDED

Sunday

LEAST CROWDED

Thursday

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 Arts, 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 bus station is located on Troost Ave, and it offers bus 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 bus and train stops across the county, Los Angeles makes it easy to travel elsewhere in California, visit the neighboring Nevada, Arizona and Mexico, or take a flight to pretty much any other part of the world.

Station Information

Where does the train leave from 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 theater, 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, restrooms, 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 does the train arrive in Los Angeles?

Main arrival station: Amtrak Metrolink Station - 7724 Van Nuys Blvd

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:

All train stations in Los Angeles:

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

Need a return trip from Los Angeles to Kansas City?

Search Train Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More trains from Kansas City

Continue by train from Los Angeles

Check out these popular routes

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu's simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.