Getting Around Kansas City
Planning your FIFA World Cup 2026™ travel experience starts here.
Whether you’re heading to a match, exploring FIFA Fan Festival™, or discovering a new neighborhood, this is your resource for getting around the region with ease.
ConnectKC26: Your Tournament Bus Service
ConnectKC26 is a motorcoach bus service designed to get you directly to the action in comfort. To ride, simply reserve your pass online and add it to your smartphone’s digital wallet for easy boarding.
Comfort & Convenience For Ticketholders
ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct is the best way to get to Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) on match day. Skip the traffic and parking with this round-trip service.
Express Service – Airport To Downtown
ConnectKC26 Airport Direct is your free, easy connection between Kansas City International Airport (KCI) and downtown Kansas City, MO.
Bus Service To Explore The Region With Ease
ConnectKC26 Region Direct lets you explore Kansas City with unlimited rides between the FIFA Fan Festival™ and destinations across the region for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Perfect for visitors and residents looking to experience Kansas City’s diverse regional attractions.
Johnson County United Link offers convenient, unlimited rides circulating between Johnson County, Kansas neighborhoods and designated ConnectKC26 Region Direct service locations.
We are committed to providing an accessible experience for all fans. During the FIFA World Cup 2026™, two tournament transportation services are available for fans with accessible transportation needs:
- KC2026 Accessible Transportation Services, following ConnectKC26 routes
- RideKC Freedom On-Demand, a discounted ride-hailing option.
Complete a one-time registration to get started, then use the RideKC Freedom app to easily schedule and pay for your rides. All vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts/ramps, and trained drivers to assist.
ConnectKC26 Services
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Getting AROUND Kansas City
ConnectKC26
The tournament transportation to get you to the heart of the action in the comfort of a motorcoach bus from convenient locations across the region.
- Airport Direct
- Stadium Direct
- Region Direct
- Johnson County United Link
Reserve your passes at KC2026.com/transportation
Bike
Explore the city on two wheels! Rent a classic or electric-assist bike from one of the many convenient kiosks.
- BikeShare KC Cost: Options include pay-per-ride, daily and monthly passes. Find bikes and plan your trip using the Bike Share KC App.
- For great regional routes, check out trail and bikeway options by using the KC Regional Trails and Bikeways Map.
KC Streetcar
Ride for free along a 2-mile route through the heart of Kansas City. The streetcar provides level boarding and priority seating.
- Cost: FREE (no pass needed)
- Route: Running from the River Market to the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). Connects the River Market, Power & Light District, Crossroads Arts District, Union Station and the Country Club Plaza neighborhoods.
- More Info: Stops and real-time arrivals are available in the Transit app.
Hours:
- Mon–Thurs: 5 a.m. – Midnight
- Fri & Sat: 5 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Sun: 5 a.m. – Midnight
RideKC Bus
The regional public bus service operates throughout the Kansas City metro area, offering an affordable and reliable way to get around. All buses are equipped with lifts or ramps.
- Cost: Fares start at $2 for a single ride, with daily and weekly passes available.
- More Info: For detailed routes, schedules and fares, download the RideKC Mobile App or visit the Transit app.
Hours:
- Daily: 5:00 a.m. – Midnight
- Hours vary by route and day.
Rideshare
Rideshare services operate 24/7 throughout the Kansas City region, subject to driver availability. They offer a flexible, on-demand option for getting to the matches, the FIFA Fan Festival™, and other attractions around the city.
For fans utilizing rideshare services to travel directly to Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) on match days, please note that the designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up point is located in **Stadium Lot O**.
Match-day Rideshare Pickups & Dropoffs at the Stadium
All rideshare drop-offs and pickups are at a single location for the safety of all travelers and due to traffic considerations around the stadium. Please help us out by instructing your driver to be sure to take you to Lot O.
FIFA Fan Festival™
To manage increased traffic around the FIFA Fan Festival™️ at closing time, a rideshare geofence will be in effect. Pickups within the festival zone will be restricted beginning two (2) hours before closing and continuing until two (2) hours after closing.
On match days, the geofence will be activated earlier—starting when ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct service begins (four hours prior to kickoff)—and will remain in place until two (2) hours after the FIFA Fan Festival closes.
During these periods, riders requesting trips from within the geofenced area will be automatically directed to one of four (4) designated pickup locations:
- Northwest: KC Ferris Wheel along W 25th St at W Pennway St
- Northeast: Washington Square Park along Grand Blvd between Pershing Rd and E 22nd St
- Southwest: Just off Broadway Theatre along Penn Valley Dr south of 31st St (Wyandotte St and Central St)
- Southeast: KCTV Tower along E 31st St and Grand Ave
KC26 Accessible Transportation
During the FIFA World Cup 2026™, two tournament transportation services are
available for fans with accessible transportation needs. Details on how to book and use these options are provided below.
How to Book
- Complete Registration: Fill out the one-time ADA registration form. A link to download the app is provided upon form completion.
- Download & Set Up: Download the RideKC Freedom app and create an account, adding your credit card information for payment.
- Book Your Ride: Schedule your trip directly within the app. Fares are automatically charged to your card when you book. Your driver’s system will show the trip as paid—no pass is needed.
Event Parking
General Parking Information
If you are planning to drive to the match or FIFA Fan FestivalTM, Transit is a great resource to see available event and public parking options in the area.
Parking and Riding to FIFA Fan Festival™
For those taking advantage of the ConnectKC26 Region Direct services to reach the FIFA Fan Festival, you can check Transit for available parking at our various Region Direct locations. Prior to boarding, be sure to review Know Before You Go details for what allowed and prohibited items.
Park KC Service Kansas City is offering a convenient park-and-ride service through Park KC, allowing residents and visitors to park at designated City garages and ride a shuttle directly to and from the festivities at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.
- Locations: Jazz District Garage (1819 Lydia Avenue) and West Bottoms Garage (1601 State Line Road).
- Accessibility: ADA-accessible buses are available at both garage locations.
- Hours: Shuttles will start their routes two hours before activities begin and will run up to one hour after activities conclude.
- Cost & Booking: Parking passes are $11 per vehicle, and shuttle passes are $11 per person. Passes must be purchased online in advance at kcmo.gov/parking. (Please note: This program is separate from transportation services provided through ConnectKC26).
Parking and Riding to KC Stadium
Parking at the stadium will be limited. If you are driving, please be sure to check for available public and event parking ahead of time.
Ticketholders can use the ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct service. If you are looking to park and ride, these specific Stadium Direct locations feature designated parking options:
- Graceway: 5460 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Raytown, MO 64133
- Independence Center*: 18801 E 39th Street S, Independence, MO 64057
- North Kansas City*: 520 E 19th Avenue, North Kansas City, MO 64116
- Oak Park Mall*: 11855 W 95th Street, Overland Park, KS 66214
Important: The other two Stadium Direct stops (the Plaza and the ConnectKC26 Bus Mall) do not have designated parking but you are able to take bus service from these locations directly to KC Stadium).
*Locations are both Region Direct and Stadium Direct services.
Driving
While having a car provides flexibility to explore the wider region, expect heavy traffic and limited parking around key event zones.
Please note that on-site parking is limited. If you are driving to Kansas City Stadium for a match, you must have a valid match-day ticket and a parking pass must be secured prior to arrival. Visit the official FIFA website to purchase stadium parking passes and get stadium-specific instructions.
Alternatively, you can see the Event Parking section below for general parking options, or consider taking the ConnectKC26 Stadium Direct bus service from Graceway, located just a short distance from the stadium.
If you prefer to let someone else do the driving, please see the rideshare section below to review pickup and drop-off details for those services.
Cost: Varies by parking location. Highway tolls apply on the Kansas Turnpike (I-70 west of the metro).
Getting To Kansas City
Whether you’re arriving by air, road, or rail, getting to Kansas City is simple. We are a region ready to welcome the world, and your adventure starts the moment you begin your journey. Here’s everything you need to know for a smooth arrival.
BY AIR
Does your journey begin at the world-class Kansas City International Airport (KCI)?
Once you land, all ground transportation options, including rental cars and ride-sharing services, are conveniently located just outside baggage claim.
Travel Tip: For a seamless and free ride from the airport, hop on the ConnectKC26 Airport Direct service. It offers complimentary roundtrip transportation between KCI and the ConnectKC26 Bus Mall, located just two blocks from FIFA Fan Festival™ in downtown Kansas City, MO. Valid ConnectKC26 Airport Direct pass required to ride.
If you’re staying in Johnson County, KCI Airport Drop and Ride is free direct service between KCI and Overland Park Convention Center. Find out more at jocogov.org/transit.
BY CAR
Hitting the road? Kansas City’s central location at the crossroads of major interstate highways makes it an easy drive from any direction.
Major Routes:
- I-70: Connects St. Louis and Denver
- I-35: Connects Des Moines and Wichita/Oklahoma City
- I-29: Connects from Omaha and the north
- US-71 / I-49: Connects from Arkansas and the south
Driving Times:
- St. Louis: 4 hours
- Omaha: 3 hours
- Des Moines: 3 hours
- Wichita: 3 hours
Tolls: While most roads on the Missouri side are toll-free, the Kansas Turnpike (I-70 east of Kansas City) requires payment. K-Tag, E-ZPass and online payment options are available at DriveKS.com.
KC Regional Resources
BY TRAIN
Travel by train offers a scenic and convenient arrival into the Kansas City area.
You can arrive in the heart of the action at the historic Union Station in downtown Kansas City, or at the Lee’s Summit Station just a short trip away. With daily arrivals from across the country, it’s a relaxing way to begin your visit.
Arriving at Kansas City’s Union Station puts you directly in the center of the excitement.
- KC Streetcar: Just steps from the station’s grand entrance, you can hop on the free KC Streetcar. It’s your connection to the city’s vibrant districts, taking you from the River Market through downtown and the Crossroads, all the way to the Country Club Plaza, with plenty of stops for exploring along the way.
- ConnectKC26 Bus Mall: A short walk from the station is the central ConnectKC26 Bus Mall, your hub for direct tournament transportation. From here, you can access Airport Direct, Stadium Direct and Region Direct services to get wherever you need to go.
If you arrive at the Lee’s Summit Station, you’ll find a convenient ConnectKC26 Region Direct location ready to connect you to the FIFA Fan Festival™ and other key destinations.
- Lee’s Summit: 206 SW Market Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063