Katy Trail Forum

If there is a good bike riding route from Kansas City airport to an western part of the trail, we would prefer that. Otherwise, is there a Greyhound bus or shuttle?



One of us is blind so we'll be on a tandem (it'll be boxed on the plane and can stay that way if we use a motor vehicle). It usually doesn't fit on a city bus.



Thanks for any answers and advice.

If there is a good bike riding route from Kansas City airport to an western part of the trail, we would prefer that. Otherwise, is there a Greyhound bus or shuttle?



One of us is blind so we'll be on a tandem (it'll be boxed on the plane and can stay that way if we use a motor vehicle). It usually doesn't fit on a city bus.



Thanks for any answers and advice.

Call B & L Airport Shuttle @660-221-4406 and they will take you and your bike to the start of the trail or anywhere else you need to go.

Call B & L Airport Shuttle @660-221-4406 and they will take you and your bike to the start of the trail or anywhere else you need to go.

Here is a site with maps of on-road bike routes in Missouri.
http://www.mobikefed.org/mobikemap2004/ (See maps for Districts 4 and 5)

Since the airport is on NW side of KC you can take routes around KC on the north and east, and hook up with the KATY at Clinton, Windsor, Sedalia or Boonville. Or else get a ride to the south side of KC and work your way east to the KATY.

Also, Amtrack runs from downtown KC to Sedalia.

Here is a site with maps of on-road bike routes in Missouri.
http://www.mobikefed.org/mobikemap2004/ (See maps for Districts 4 and 5)

Since the airport is on NW side of KC you can take routes around KC on the north and east, and hook up with the KATY at Clinton, Windsor, Sedalia or Boonville. Or else get a ride to the south side of KC and work your way east to the KATY.

Also, Amtrack runs from downtown KC to Sedalia.

Getting from KC Airport to the trail is not easy. If you just want to ride the trail, I have a suggestion. Fly to St.Louis and get transportation to Old town St. Charles. You might want to call 'The Touring Cyclist' bike shop in old town they may be able to help get you from the airport to old town. I think the number is 636-949-9630. Ask for Chris. If he is still there, he is great. Ride west to Sedalia and take the train back. AMTRACK will take your bike for $10. St Charles is only about 20 miles from the airport. KC airport is about 100 miles from the trail.

Getting from KC Airport to the trail is not easy. If you just want to ride the trail, I have a suggestion. Fly to St.Louis and get transportation to Old town St. Charles. You might want to call 'The Touring Cyclist' bike shop in old town they may be able to help get you from the airport to old town. I think the number is 636-949-9630. Ask for Chris. If he is still there, he is great. Ride west to Sedalia and take the train back. AMTRACK will take your bike for $10. St Charles is only about 20 miles from the airport. KC airport is about 100 miles from the trail.

Is it possible to take Amtrak from Sedalia to Kansas City airport?

Is it possible to take Amtrak from Sedalia to Kansas City airport?

A long shot, but I'll mention it anyway. A person flying in to Columbia Regional Airport is only about 5 miles or so from hooking up to the trail south of Easley via lightly traveled country roads. Just saying.

A long shot, but I'll mention it anyway. A person flying in to Columbia Regional Airport is only about 5 miles or so from hooking up to the trail south of Easley via lightly traveled country roads. Just saying.

No. Amtrak will take you to Union Station, several miles south of KCI.

No. Amtrak will take you to Union Station, several miles south of KCI.

The AMTRAK website says there is no checked baggage on the Missouri River Runner. That route does have "roll-aboard" bike service, but only standard-sized bikes.

Seems like the best option is a shuttle services from St Louis to where ever you want to start your ride. They can likely store the tandem box and get you back to the airport at the end of your trip.

The other option is to do an out-and-back round trip ride on the KATY. You could rent a minivan or pickup truck in KC or STL and drive to the trail. The cost of rental car might be similar to the cost of a shuttle depending on how long you need it.

The AMTRAK website says there is no checked baggage on the Missouri River Runner. That route does have "roll-aboard" bike service, but only standard-sized bikes.

Seems like the best option is a shuttle services from St Louis to where ever you want to start your ride. They can likely store the tandem box and get you back to the airport at the end of your trip.

The other option is to do an out-and-back round trip ride on the KATY. You could rent a minivan or pickup truck in KC or STL and drive to the trail. The cost of rental car might be similar to the cost of a shuttle depending on how long you need it.

The best way is to take a bus from KCI to the Amtrack station in KC, hop off at Lee's Summit and then pedal to Pleasant Hill where you can meet the terminus of the current Rock Island line.After a pedal of some 50 miles you arrive in the town of Windsor which is the penultimate town on the Katy trail. If you want to stay overnight at the Haysler House B&B we can rescue you for free and drive you to Clinton.;)

The best way is to take a bus from KCI to the Amtrack station in KC, hop off at Lee's Summit and then pedal to Pleasant Hill where you can meet the terminus of the current Rock Island line.After a pedal of some 50 miles you arrive in the town of Windsor which is the penultimate town on the Katy trail. If you want to stay overnight at the Haysler House B&B we can rescue you for free and drive you to Clinton.;)

I'm planning to do the Katy Trail W to E, next summer (2020) + some more after than. I see different options to getting from the Kansas City International Airport to the trailhead in Clinton.
(1) a shuttle service, gets you there but rather expensive (>$100).
(2) on weekdays, take city bus from airport to downtown and then Lee's Summit Bus (afternoon only) to Lee's Summit, then ride to Pleasant Hill, take Rock Island Spur Trail to Post Oak, the road to Clinton -- that's about 65 mi, or a day's ride to get there. So 5-6 hrs flight + 24 hrs getting to Clinton = approx 30 hrs. (Cheap, <$15)

Alternatively, a 37 hr Greyhound ride (Ottawa, ON 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. (+2 days) Clinton, MO) is about 60% the cost of flying and leaves me in downtown Clinton, with no messing around. I've travelled on Greyhound before without any issues, but 37 hrs might be pushing my luck :-)

For others, there's a 9:00 a.m. Greyhound from Kansas City, MO to Clinton, MO every weekday (I'm not sure about weekends.

Any thoughts, alternatives, horror stories, roads to avoid like the plague (bad surface, insane traffic)?

Thanks, G. Dodds

I'm planning to do the Katy Trail W to E, next summer (2020) + some more after than. I see different options to getting from the Kansas City International Airport to the trailhead in Clinton.
(1) a shuttle service, gets you there but rather expensive (>$100).
(2) on weekdays, take city bus from airport to downtown and then Lee's Summit Bus (afternoon only) to Lee's Summit, then ride to Pleasant Hill, take Rock Island Spur Trail to Post Oak, the road to Clinton -- that's about 65 mi, or a day's ride to get there. So 5-6 hrs flight + 24 hrs getting to Clinton = approx 30 hrs. (Cheap, <$15)

Alternatively, a 37 hr Greyhound ride (Ottawa, ON 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. (+2 days) Clinton, MO) is about 60% the cost of flying and leaves me in downtown Clinton, with no messing around. I've travelled on Greyhound before without any issues, but 37 hrs might be pushing my luck :-)

For others, there's a 9:00 a.m. Greyhound from Kansas City, MO to Clinton, MO every weekday (I'm not sure about weekends.

Any thoughts, alternatives, horror stories, roads to avoid like the plague (bad surface, insane traffic)?

Thanks, G. Dodds

Are you planning to go to Clinton, or will you start at Pleasant Hill and take the Rock Island Spur?

Are you planning to go to Clinton, or will you start at Pleasant Hill and take the Rock Island Spur?

If you don't mind a little bit of on street bike riding, then there are several nice trails that you can link together from the airport. The question is will you have your bike ready to go right from the airport and do you mind short sections of on street city bike riding? I don't know if you will have a bike case that needs to be stored or if you will just be unpacking a cardboard box at the airport. I would be happy to help you map something out if that is what you are looking for.

If you don't mind a little bit of on street bike riding, then there are several nice trails that you can link together from the airport. The question is will you have your bike ready to go right from the airport and do you mind short sections of on street city bike riding? I don't know if you will have a bike case that needs to be stored or if you will just be unpacking a cardboard box at the airport. I would be happy to help you map something out if that is what you are looking for.

TO: Mark from Lee's Summit

Yes, my bike would be "ready to go" at the airport (after minor assembly) no cases or other items besides what would be in the rear paniers. So, what would be the best, safest and preferably shortest route from the airport to Clinton. I've been a cycling courier in downtown Montreal, so city traffic doesn't bother me too much -- within limits -- Could you suggest a route? Thanks. G. Dodds

TO: Mark from Lee's Summit

Yes, my bike would be "ready to go" at the airport (after minor assembly) no cases or other items besides what would be in the rear paniers. So, what would be the best, safest and preferably shortest route from the airport to Clinton. I've been a cycling courier in downtown Montreal, so city traffic doesn't bother me too much -- within limits -- Could you suggest a route? Thanks. G. Dodds

You probably already know but it's a hundred miles from KCI to Clinton. The city buses will probably not fit your tandem and Amtrak only takes regular bikes. I have lived and biked in Kansas city for many years, this trip would be a major undertaking. If you feel you must ride to the Katy trail maybe check out Adventure cycling's Lewis and clark route it goes through Platte City (which is not to far from KCI) to Booneville, you could modify the destination. Missouri roads usually don't have shoulders except for main ones like 7 hi way and such. Google maps street view is an excellent resource to check out roads for shoulders and sight lines.

If it were me I would fly into St Louis Lambert airport and shuttle or ride from there to Katy Trail. I believe there are routes on this sight to accomplish this ride. Google maps street view is an excellent resource to check out roads for shoulders and sight lines.
Have a good trip
Allen

You probably already know but it's a hundred miles from KCI to Clinton. The city buses will probably not fit your tandem and Amtrak only takes regular bikes. I have lived and biked in Kansas city for many years, this trip would be a major undertaking. If you feel you must ride to the Katy trail maybe check out Adventure cycling's Lewis and clark route it goes through Platte City (which is not to far from KCI) to Booneville, you could modify the destination. Missouri roads usually don't have shoulders except for main ones like 7 hi way and such. Google maps street view is an excellent resource to check out roads for shoulders and sight lines.

If it were me I would fly into St Louis Lambert airport and shuttle or ride from there to Katy Trail. I believe there are routes on this sight to accomplish this ride. Google maps street view is an excellent resource to check out roads for shoulders and sight lines.
Have a good trip
Allen

Let me start by saying that I like mixing in urban city trail riding with my long distance rails to trails trips. For instance, I loved riding through Downtown Milwaukee during my bike trip across Wisconsin. Linking up separate trails with 5-6 miles of cross city riding is fun for me as long as I stay on low volume side streets. I can follow up with a full route if you want, but it is between 65 and 70 miles to Pleasant Hill where you will pick up the Rock Island Spur trail that then leads to the Katy Trail and Clinton if you really want to go to the start of the trail. There are hotels and other places to stay if you are arriving mid-day at the airport and can't get through the city on the first day. Plus there are sites and restaurants that are great stopping points along the way if you are interested. I will follow up this post with another one that starts to describe my preferred route. You can follow it on Google Maps and just let me know if you want me to go into more detail or even provide my contact information if you need more details...Mark

Let me start by saying that I like mixing in urban city trail riding with my long distance rails to trails trips. For instance, I loved riding through Downtown Milwaukee during my bike trip across Wisconsin. Linking up separate trails with 5-6 miles of cross city riding is fun for me as long as I stay on low volume side streets. I can follow up with a full route if you want, but it is between 65 and 70 miles to Pleasant Hill where you will pick up the Rock Island Spur trail that then leads to the Katy Trail and Clinton if you really want to go to the start of the trail. There are hotels and other places to stay if you are arriving mid-day at the airport and can't get through the city on the first day. Plus there are sites and restaurants that are great stopping points along the way if you are interested. I will follow up this post with another one that starts to describe my preferred route. You can follow it on Google Maps and just let me know if you want me to go into more detail or even provide my contact information if you need more details...Mark

Alright, go to Google Maps, turn on the Bicycling layer and let's go for a ride from the KCI/MCI airport! Once you leave the airport terminal, you ride to the end of the building and you will see an angled sidewalk that leads to another roadway loop beneath the main shuttle entrance. That roadway is the employee entrance loop and you will ride clockwise around that road called Bogota Circle. From Bogota Circle, you will turn right on Brasilia Avenue, left on Paris Street, and then right onto Mexico City Avenue. Take Mexico City off of the airport property over I-70 and then right on 132nd, right on Winan, left on 128th, and then right onto Heady. At NW Cookingham you will have to make a short jog across the road in order to continue south on Congress Avenue where that road eventually turns into Ambassador Drive which is a nice wide parkway. Once you reach Old Tiffany Springs Parkway in a couple of miles, you will see that the sidewalk along the left side of the parkway has turned into a nice, wide concrete trail. That is the start of a nice 20 mile bike trail network. Follow that trail down to the 152 Highway Trail that turns to the left after a few hundred feet. Go 1.7 miles east and then turn south on the long Line Creek Trail that will start taking towards the Missouri River and Downtown Kansas City. Take the Line Creek Trail 7 miles south to Vivion Road where you will have to link up to Klamm Road and the Vivion Trail Connector that links up with the Interurban Trail that runs all the way to Briarcliff Parkway. Even though it is pretty flat, Highway 9 stinks and has too much high speed traffic, so I would just use the sidewalks along Briarcliff Parkway and bike up the long hill to North Oak Trafficway where you will turn right and get to ride down a steep hill even though there is quite a bit of traffic on that 4 lane road. At the bottom of the North Oak Trafficway hill you will want to turn left onto 32nd Avenue and get back on smaller sidestreets. Turn right onto Swift Street and take that road south through North Kansas City to 9th Street, then turn right to link up to the separated bike trail over the Missouri River along Route 9.

That gets you to Downtown Kansas City...I can get you all the way to Pleasant Hill using a mix of sidestreets and nice urban trails if you want. Just let me know...Mark

Alright, go to Google Maps, turn on the Bicycling layer and let's go for a ride from the KCI/MCI airport! Once you leave the airport terminal, you ride to the end of the building and you will see an angled sidewalk that leads to another roadway loop beneath the main shuttle entrance. That roadway is the employee entrance loop and you will ride clockwise around that road called Bogota Circle. From Bogota Circle, you will turn right on Brasilia Avenue, left on Paris Street, and then right onto Mexico City Avenue. Take Mexico City off of the airport property over I-70 and then right on 132nd, right on Winan, left on 128th, and then right onto Heady. At NW Cookingham you will have to make a short jog across the road in order to continue south on Congress Avenue where that road eventually turns into Ambassador Drive which is a nice wide parkway. Once you reach Old Tiffany Springs Parkway in a couple of miles, you will see that the sidewalk along the left side of the parkway has turned into a nice, wide concrete trail. That is the start of a nice 20 mile bike trail network. Follow that trail down to the 152 Highway Trail that turns to the left after a few hundred feet. Go 1.7 miles east and then turn south on the long Line Creek Trail that will start taking towards the Missouri River and Downtown Kansas City. Take the Line Creek Trail 7 miles south to Vivion Road where you will have to link up to Klamm Road and the Vivion Trail Connector that links up with the Interurban Trail that runs all the way to Briarcliff Parkway. Even though it is pretty flat, Highway 9 stinks and has too much high speed traffic, so I would just use the sidewalks along Briarcliff Parkway and bike up the long hill to North Oak Trafficway where you will turn right and get to ride down a steep hill even though there is quite a bit of traffic on that 4 lane road. At the bottom of the North Oak Trafficway hill you will want to turn left onto 32nd Avenue and get back on smaller sidestreets. Turn right onto Swift Street and take that road south through North Kansas City to 9th Street, then turn right to link up to the separated bike trail over the Missouri River along Route 9.

That gets you to Downtown Kansas City...I can get you all the way to Pleasant Hill using a mix of sidestreets and nice urban trails if you want. Just let me know...Mark

Hey, Mark, can you get me to Pleasant Hill from Union Station? Riding cross state next month. Thanks!

Hey, Mark, can you get me to Pleasant Hill from Union Station? Riding cross state next month. Thanks!

You can actually start the Katy trail ride in Pleasant Hill Mo. It's roughly 10-12 miles from Lee's Summit. The Rock Island trail connects to the Katy trail and Windsor Mo.

There are ways to get to Pleasant Hill from KC but I'd suggest just driving (or getting dropped off) down since you'd want to be familiar with the back roads before venturing down some unknown stretches.

You can actually start the Katy trail ride in Pleasant Hill Mo. It's roughly 10-12 miles from Lee's Summit. The Rock Island trail connects to the Katy trail and Windsor Mo.

There are ways to get to Pleasant Hill from KC but I'd suggest just driving (or getting dropped off) down since you'd want to be familiar with the back roads before venturing down some unknown stretches.

Frank...there are 3 Amtrak stations in the Kansas City area, Union Station near Downtown KC, Independence, and Lee's Summit. I can give you the route from any of the three.

Frank...there are 3 Amtrak stations in the Kansas City area, Union Station near Downtown KC, Independence, and Lee's Summit. I can give you the route from any of the three.

Hello,

Is there a good shuttle service that can pick me up at the Independence Amtrak station to a hotel near the Rock Island Trail head at the Rock Island Trail Stadium Parking lot?

Thank you!

Hello,

Is there a good shuttle service that can pick me up at the Independence Amtrak station to a hotel near the Rock Island Trail head at the Rock Island Trail Stadium Parking lot?

Thank you!

There is a very nice bike friendly route from Kansas City Union Station to the Stadium Complex that begins the Rock Island Trail. The city has completed a separated cycle track to the Plaza area and then there are paved bike trails heading east towards the Stadium Complex. You only need to ride on roads for the last 2 miles near the Stadium complex. If you are planning on riding the Rock Island to the Katy Trail, then you already need to plan for some on road riding because the Rock Island Trail has an 8 mile gap between Lee's Summit and Pleasant Hill. Let me know if you need help mapping out the best route.

There is a very nice bike friendly route from Kansas City Union Station to the Stadium Complex that begins the Rock Island Trail. The city has completed a separated cycle track to the Plaza area and then there are paved bike trails heading east towards the Stadium Complex. You only need to ride on roads for the last 2 miles near the Stadium complex. If you are planning on riding the Rock Island to the Katy Trail, then you already need to plan for some on road riding because the Rock Island Trail has an 8 mile gap between Lee's Summit and Pleasant Hill. Let me know if you need help mapping out the best route.

Wow!!!! Yet again Joey was absolutely amazing!!!!! She is the best hostess we have ever had on the trail! Her place is walking and of course biking distance from the trailhead and her hospitality is like coming home to your favorite aunt! In the morning she home cooks the most delicious breakfast!!!! We have stayed here many years in the past and will continue to stay with her as long as she has an open door!

Had a great experience with Katy Trail Tours & Shuttle. Greg was very helpful with some trip planning and very accommodating on short notice. We started a short ride in Clinton on May 26, 2023 and Greg shuttled our vehicle to Sedalia. The shuttle service allowed us to bike one way without using two cars. This was well worth the reasonable cost and allowed us to enjoy a part of trail we hadn't ridden yet.

They were very busy with Pedaler's Jamboree that weekend, but took care of us perfectly on short notice. Very trustworthy and helpful. Highly recommend! Thank you!

We had a great stay at Kim's Cabins, LLC in Windsor on May 26, 2023. She has four cabins spaced on her lot, just a few feet from the Katy Trail, close to the junction with the Rock Island Trail.

Our cabin was very clean and comfortable with good air conditioning. Each cabin has a nice front porch for relaxing. Kim was very helpful and friendly. She is an advocate for extending the Rock Island Trail and shared some insight on the progress. Highly recommend staying here.

We started in Clinton and had our vehicle shuttled to Sedalia by Katy Trail Tours & Shuttle (also highly recommended). Biked to Windsor, had a great stay and checked out the town, and biked just past Sedalia to Beaman, and back to Sedalia.

What a splendid experience to stay here after 62 miles of riding (Day 1) from Clinton. My Grandson and my first time riding the entire trail. Jerry’s knowledge of the area and history , and entertaining personality made this stay a 5 star + stay. Every detail of our stay made us feel welcomed and special. In a world where customer service is being replaced by voice machines and text messages Jerry stands out with extra ordinary service. To boot, Jerry is a great chef! From accommodating us with a late arrival, dietary restrictions, to loaning a few tools we had all the assistance needed. Needless to stay, we highly recommend the Katy Junction B & B and Jerry. He is also close to Arrow Rock ! Thanks Jerry for a great time.

Curt and Zeke

What a splendid experience to stay here after 62 miles of riding (Day 1) from Clinton. My Grandson and my first time riding the entire trail. Jerry’s knowledge of the area and history , and entertaining personality made this stay a 5 star + stay. Every detail of our stay made us feel welcomed and special. In a world where customer service is being replaced by voice machines and text messages Jerry stands out with extra ordinary service. To boot, Jerry is a great chef! From accommodating us with a late arrival, dietary restrictions, to loaning a few tools we had all the assistance needed. Needless to stay, we highly recommend the Katy Junction B & B and Jerry. He is also close to Arrow Rock ! Thanks Jerry for a great time.

Curt and Zeke