- Must visit
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Major art museum known for its wide-ranging collections, sculpture park, and iconic Shuttlecocks. One of the city’s signature cultural attractions.
Cheapest price
$48
Average price
$53
Fastest journey
4 h
Average duration
5 h 25 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
383 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO will cost around $53 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $48.
Of the 4 buses that leave St. Louis, MO for Kansas City, MO on Wed, May 27, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 27 the direct buses cover the 383 km distance in an average of 5 h 25 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h .
On Wed, May 27 the slowest buses will take 7 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $33. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $33, and a flight costs an average of $94.
Distance: 237 miles (383 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$56 Average price | $42 Average price Cheapest | $358 Average price | $52 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 22m Average total duration Fastest 4h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 14m Average total duration 5h 44m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 57m Average total duration 5h 57m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.0kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.3kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO:
A train is $14 (€11) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO costing on average $56 (€45).
A train is $316 (€255) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO costing on average $358 (€289).
Other travel options to Kansas City, MO take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 44m.
Flight takes on average 5h 57m.
You'll arrive about -1h -24m sooner (4h 52m by bus vs 4h 28m by car) and save roughly $-4.30 (€-3.47) compared to fuel and tolls ($56 (€45) vs $52 (€42)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Greyhound, FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:30AM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:30AM | Arrival Time 11:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $38 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:40AM | Arrival Time 01:35PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:55AM | Arrival Time 07:10PM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:40PM | Arrival Time 06:35PM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:20PM | Arrival Time 09:05PM | Duration 4h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $64 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:30PM | Arrival Time 09:00PM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $44 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:55PM | Arrival Time 12:10AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $70 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:30PM | Arrival Time 02:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $56 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:30PM | Arrival Time 03:00AM | Duration 4h30 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $53 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:45PM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 4h00 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $42 |
The table below shows live departures for St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO buses for today, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:30 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 4h30 | 9:00 PM Kansas City, Jefferson Lines | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:45 PM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 4h00 | 3:45 AM Kansas City, Jefferson Lines | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, May 27 | |||||
![]() | 7:40 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 5h55 | 1:35 PM Kansas City, Jefferson Lines | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:55 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 7h15 | 7:10 PM Kansas City, Jefferson Lines | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO run on average 4 times per day, taking around 4h 52m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $33 (€26) if you book in advance.
There are 4 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 01:00, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 237 miles (383 km) distance in 4h 30m.
Distance 237 miles (383 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $33 (€26) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 4 |
Fastest bus 4h 30m |
First bus 1:00 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 21 days |
Discover the best of Kansas City — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Kansas City trip today.
Major art museum known for its wide-ranging collections, sculpture park, and iconic Shuttlecocks. One of the city’s signature cultural attractions.
National museum dedicated to the First World War, with immersive exhibitions, artifacts, and strong historical interpretation.
Celebrated museum preserving the history of Negro Leagues baseball through powerful exhibits in the historic 18th & Vine district.
Historic outdoor shopping and walking district with Spanish-inspired architecture, fountains, and strong visitor appeal day and night.
Culturally important district tied to Kansas City jazz and Black history, home to museums, clubs, and heritage landmarks.
Creative neighborhood known for galleries, murals, converted warehouses, and a lively arts atmosphere popular with locals and visitors.
A broad barbecue tradition known for slow-smoked meats, thick sweet-tangy tomato-molasses sauce, and burnt ends. It is the city’s signature food culture.
Cubed, twice-cooked point-cut brisket ends with deep bark and smoky flavor. They are the most iconic Kansas City barbecue specialty.
Pork ribs smoked low and slow, often finished with Kansas City’s rich, sticky sauce. A classic order at local smokehouses.
Legendary casual barbecue institution famous for Z-Man sandwiches, ribs, and burnt ends in an unfussy setting.
Polished sit-down barbecue restaurant popular for burnt ends, hickory-smoked meats, and hearty sides in a more upscale setting.
Classic steakhouse and jazz venue in a historic building, known for steaks, cocktails, and an atmospheric Kansas City dining experience.
Moderate by U.S. standards. Barbecue, casual dining, and transport are fairly priced; top hotels and fine dining cost more.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants. Tip USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up taxis, and tip hotel staff USD 2-5. Tipping is expected for table service.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from St. Louis, MO to Kansas City, MO by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Kansas City, MO, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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