- Must visit
The Getty Center
Major hilltop art museum with European paintings, decorative arts, architecture, and city views; one of Los Angeles’s signature cultural sites.
Cheapest price
$339
Average price
$339
Fastest journey
1 d 12 h 35 m
Average duration
1 d 12 h 35 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
2180 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA will cost around $339 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $339.
Of the 1 trains that leave Kansas City, MO for Los Angeles, CA on Tue, Jun 16, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 16 the direct trains cover the 2180 km distance in an average of 1 d 12 h 35 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 d 12 h 35 m .
On Tue, Jun 16 the slowest trains will take 1 d 12 h 35 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.
3 Southwest Chief
3 Southwest ChiefOmio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $127. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 14h 52m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.7 - 2.0kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $127, and a flight costs an average of $86.
Distance: 1354 miles (2180 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$288 Average price | $303 Average price | $276 Average price Cheapest | $325 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
20h 44m Average total duration 20h 14m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 17h 52m Average total duration Fastest 14h 52m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 35h 11m Average total duration 34h 41m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 23h 17m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.7 - 2.0kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 6.5 - 13.1kg CO2 emissions | 2.2 - 5.4kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA:
A bus is $12 (€10) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $288 (€233).
A bus is $27 (€22) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA costing on average $303 (€245).
Other travel options to Los Angeles, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 20h 14m.
Bus takes on average 34h 41m.
The journey is about 3h 3m faster (20h 14m by train vs 23h 17m by car) and roughly $37 (€30) cheaper once you factor in fuel and tolls ($288 (€233) vs $325 (€263)). You'll also arrive in the city centre rather than hunting for parking, and you can work, read, or watch the landscape go by instead of concentrating on the road.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
Driving is still worth considering if you want to stop along the way or need a car once you arrive.
The table below shows live departures for Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Monday, June 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Southwest Chief | 9:37 PM Kansas City Station, Kansas City, KS | 36h35 | 8:12 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train 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.
Trains from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 20h 14m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $160 (€129) but you can travel from only $86 (€70) by flight.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 10:52, the last at 22:17. The fastest train covers the 1354 miles (2180 km) distance in 35h 40m.
Distance 1354 miles (2180 km) |
Average train duration 20h 14m |
Cheapest ticket price $160 (€129) |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 35h 40m |
First train 10:52 AM |
Last train 10:17 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Los Angeles — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Los Angeles trip today.
Major hilltop art museum with European paintings, decorative arts, architecture, and city views; one of Los Angeles’s signature cultural sites.
The largest art museum in the western United States, known for broad global collections and the iconic Urban Light installation.
Popular contemporary art museum in Downtown Los Angeles with works by Kusama, Warhol, and other major postwar artists.
Vast urban park with trails, scenic overlooks, and access to major attractions; a classic Los Angeles outdoor destination.
Iconic oceanfront boardwalk area with classic California views and broad appeal for first-time visitors.
Famous beachfront promenade known for street culture, skate scenes, murals, and constant people-watching.
A Los Angeles classic of thinly sliced roast beef on a roll, served with rich jus for dipping. It is one of the city’s most iconic old-school sandwiches.
Street tacos are central to Los Angeles food culture, especially carne asada, al pastor, and grilled fish tacos served on corn tortillas with salsa, onion, and cilantro.
A signature Los Angeles meal shaped by Koreatown, featuring grilled marinated meats, banchan, and shared dining. The city is especially known for its strong Korean barbecue scene.
Acclaimed fine dining restaurant known for refined seafood tasting menus and elegant service. One of Los Angeles’s top special-occasion destinations.
Historic downtown institution famous for the French dip sandwich. Casual, old-school atmosphere and one of Los Angeles’s most iconic food stops.
Well-known Oaxacan restaurant celebrated for complex moles, tlayudas, and mezcal. Lively atmosphere and a landmark for regional Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is expensive for visitors. Hotels, parking, and dining add up quickly, though casual food and some neighborhoods offer better value.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants; 20%+ for great service. Bars: USD 1-2 per drink. Taxis/rideshares: 10-15%. Hotel staff: USD 2-5. Not expected at fast-food spots.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA by train. 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 train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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