Sit or stand while you ride through the heart of Kansas City’s downtown. The newly extended 5.7-mile route along Main Street connects the River Market to the Country Club Plaza and the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus with plenty of popular neighborhoods in between.
The KC Streetcar is free to ride, so you can focus your fun on Kansas City’s restaurants, shops and other businesses along the route.
Restaurants and Bars Along the KC Streetcar Route
Plus, convention and meeting attendees can take advantage of the short ride to see more of Kansas City during their trip. Whether attendees are staying by the Convention Center, near Crown Center or on the Country Club Plaza, they have access to all the amenities downtown KC has to offer.
Here’s what you need to know about riding the Kansas City Streetcar.
KC Streetcar 101
- FREE to ride
- Currently 32 stops, most with shelters and digital kiosks
- Bicycles, wheelchairs and strollers are welcome; board from the middle car
- Service animals and dogs in small carriers allowed
Hours of Operation
- Sunday – Thursday: 5 a.m. to midnight
- Friday: 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
- Saturday: 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
How to Ride
When you arrive at a streetcar stop, you’ll notice electronic signs providing real-time information on arrivals and any service interruptions.
As the KC Streetcar stops, please allow for departing riders to exit before you board. Do not attempt to hold the doors open. Then find a seat or stay standing for your ride.
Free Things to Do Along the KC Streetcar Route
Once you’re on your way, keep an eye or ear out for what stops you approach to make sure you reach your correct destination. To request a stop, passengers must press the red “stop” button or door button. Streetcars do not stop at streetcar stops unless requested or if there are other passengers waiting.
When you arrive at your destination, wait for the streetcar to come to a complete stop. Push the door button to open the doors and then exit.
Streetcar Route
The original 2.2-mile KC Streetcar line runs from River Market to the historic Union Station, traveling mostly along Main Street. Areas serviced include the Central Business/Convention District, the Power & Light Districtand Crown Center—not to mention the numerous business, restaurants, art galleries and residences along the way.
On the downtown route, the streetcar runs in existing street lanes, just like other vehicles. The route includes 16 stops, spaced roughly two blocks apart.
- Union Station (Pershing & Main)
- Crossroads (19th & Main)
- Kauffman Center (16th & Main)
- Power & Light (14th & Main)
- Metro Center (12th & Main)
- Library (9th & Main)
- North Loop (7th & Main)
- City Market (5th & Walnut)
- River Market North (3rd & Grand)
- River Market West (4th & Delaware)
And new in 2025, a 3.5-mile extension now allows everyone to travel even further throughout Kansas City.
The exspansion along Main Street stretches from Union Station south to the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus. New neighborhoods serviced include Union Hill, Westport, Southmoreland and the Country Club Plaza, along with hundreds of KC’s businesses, museums, restaurants and more.
The new extension adds 16 additional stops to the KC Streetcar route:
- WWI Museum & Memorial (27th & Main)
- Union Hill (31st & Main)
- Armour (35th & Main)
- Westport (39th & Main)
- Southmoreland (43rd & Main)
- Art Museums (45th & Main)
- Plaza (Cleaver II & Main)
- UMKC (51st & Main)
Unlike the existing streetcar route, over half of the new extension features exclusive transit lanes, which are strictly for the KC Streetcar only.
Drivers will notice these lanes are identified with a combination of curbs/medians, pavement markings and signage. Access to driveways, businesses, and left-turns remain. Learn more about transit-only lanes here.
Streetcar Tracker
Streetcars operate 7 days a week, with 10-15 minute arrival frequencies. There are digital, real-time arrival signs at streetcar stops, which let passengers know when the next streetcar will arrive.
Streetcar tracking and arrival information is also now available on Apple Maps and Google Maps. Just find your nearest KC Streetcar stop on the map to see real-time updates on when the next streetcar will arrive.
Free to Ride
The Downtown Streetcar system runs without a fare, minimizing dwell times and maximizing economic benefits for its riders. The project is funded with a combination of sources including a voter-approved sales tax increase, parking assessments and federal funding.
Connecting KC
In addition to providing service to many pedestrian-friendly districts, the Kansas City Streetcar links riders to services such as fare-free RideKC bus routes, RideKC Bike hubs and Amtrak.
The streetcar line is just one step in a long-term plan to create a regional, integrated transit system to connect the Greater KC area like never before.
Downtown Parking
There are approximately 40,000 parking spaces in Downtown Kansas City. View our district parking maps to help you find the perfect spot near the streetcar.
