Sleeping in Airports

Kansas City Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Kansas City Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

I don’t have any information about sleeping at the new facility, except that the seats near gates are all designed with the unmovable armrests that discourage laying down on them. – a traveller (2023)

MCI Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Kansas City International Airport.

What to expect

Kansas City Airport (code: MCI) consists of a new single terminal building. There are a fair number of eateries and shops in both terminals, though many tend to be on the landside. Travellers describe the airport as disorganized. WiFi is available, and outlets for charging mobile devices can be found throughout. For those looking for a little added comfort, Delta has a lounge that you can access even if you are not flying business/first class. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.

Sleeping in Kansas City Airport

kansas city airport guideReaders tell us, “The seats near gates are all designed with the unmovable armrests that discourage lying down on them, but you may be able to get airside if you arrive the night before.” For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels within a quick shuttle ride of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Kansas City Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

A Quiet room is located airside, before the upper A Gates. The room is open 24/7, so no reservation is needed, and the conversation is only low-toned, and cell phones are silenced. (submitted by a traveller/July 2023)

Kansas City Airport Quiet Room
Quiet Room (photo courtesy of a guest traveller / July 2023)

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Kansas City Airport that provide free airport shuttles.  For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phone in the baggage claim area.

  • Kansas City Marriott Airport   » Check Rates
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites Kansas City Airport  » Check Rates
  • Four Points by Sheraton Kansas City Airport  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Kansas City Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door or through a lounge membership program.

  • Delta Sky Club – Location: Concourse B, Mezzanine. Lounge Access: Lounge Membership programs.

Military Lounges

  • USO Lounge – Location: First Level, near Baggage Claim. Amenities: Lounge cafè, charging stations, TV with access to Disney+, arcade, board games, fast Wi-Fi. Lounge Access: open to enlisted military and their families. Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.

Drinking Water

Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

Food & Drinks

Most food concessions throughout the terminal operate with varying schedules. At the time of our August 2023 update, the only 24-hour option is Mother Earth Coffee (Arrivals).

Mobile Charging

Charge your mobile devices at charging ports throughout the airport. Several charging stations can be found in the seating areas.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi / Internet

Free WiFi is available at Kansas City Airport. Connect to the “KCI_FREE_WiFi” network.

Showers

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

Arts & Culture Program – Kansas City Airport is home to several commissioned artworks from local, regional, and international artists. These can be found throughout the airport in the terminal, parking garage, and concourses.

ATMs / Cash Machines – Information not available.

Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available. See the information desk in the check-in hall for assistance.

Business Center – A business centre featuring a conference table and seating, catering options, WiFi, and more will soon be available for rent. Locations: Unknown.

Currency Exchange – Not available.

Duty-Free & Shopping – At the time of our August 2023 update, there seem to be no duty-free stores in the terminal. However, several shops are available to pass the time, including &Go (open 24/7), 18th & Vine Travel Essentials, and Aeguana (also open 24/7).

Family Services – The airport has a play area for children of all ages and abilities. Location: Airside, before boarding gates. You will also find family washrooms. These are larger rooms with charging points, space for a stroller and a lockable door. The terminal also features nursing mothers’ rooms (in the holding room serving Allegiant, American, Frontier and Spirit • inside the United departure lounge), which include the same amenities as the family washrooms with the addition of comfortable seating, adjustable lighting, toys for toddlers, and large changing and washing stations.

Information Desk – An information desk is located in the check-in hall. You can also ask for information from the Airport Ambassadors (wearing red blazers) who are there to assist.

Pet Relief Area – Several pet relief areas are available throughout the airport. Locations: Airside, near Gate A8, A18 B54. These are equipped with artificial grass, a water spray nozzle, and plastic bags. A fourth area is located outside. Location: Arrivals, North end of the bag claim area.

Sensory Room – Kansas City Airport features a sensory room designed for all neurodivergent people and passengers with other sensory processing challenges. The space has fidget chairs, cushioned and carpeted floors, and tactical-based zoned activity areas. The room is open 24/7, seven days per week. Location: Unknown.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Smoking – You can find a smoking area in the courtyard on the Arrivals level. Designated areas are also present outside the terminal.

Airlines
Kansas City Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Canada • Alaska Airlines • Allegiant Airlines • American Airlines • Apple Vacation • Delta Air Lines • Frontier Airlines • Jet Blue Airways • Southwest Airlines • Spirit Airlines • Sun Country Airlines • United Airlines • Vacation Express • VivaAerobus.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Bus

RideKC operates a metro bus service from KCI Airport to downtown. At the time of our August 2023 update, the fare is free. Check out route #229 at RideKC’s website for extra info.

Car Rentals

The following car rental agencies serve the airport: Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty. Their service locations are linked to the airport by a free shuttle service. Gray Rental Car Shuttles stop to pick up and drop off passengers at marked shelters on the terminal medians.

Inter-Terminal Shuttles

Blue buses travel between the terminals and the economy parking lots 24/7. Grey buses transport passengers between rental car lanes to the terminals. They also operate 24/7.

Ride Sharing

Uber and Lyft ride-sharing services are available. A ride to Downtown Kansas City will cost you about $30.

Shuttles

Several companies offer shared-ride door-to-door service to and from the airport. Contact your service provider of choice before arrival at the airport, as some companies require a reservation.

Taxis

Taxi service can be requested by direct-dial courtesy phones located inside and outside the baggage claim area and terminal exits. Dial 816 – 243 – 2345 and book your taxi. Taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. At the time of this update, the starting fare is $2.50 plus $2.10 per mile.

Last updated: 2024-08-26

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.