Car Rentals at Kansas City International Airport

Kansas City International Airport is located approximately 15 miles from downtown Kansas City, in the state of Missouri. It is an airport that handles over ten million passengers per annum, and is one of the highest rated of American airports in all categories. The airport is known by its IATA code of MCI, which stands for Mid-Continent International Airport (a previous name), and consists of three terminal buildings that are equipped with many useful facilities. Ground transport options are available as well, which include the Kansas City International Airport car hire companies. The car rental companies of the airport are now found in a consolidated facility, which is located conveniently nearby the airport terminals.

The airport of Kansas City International has a unique design with three ring-shaped decentralized terminal buildings, referred to as Terminal A, Terminal B and Terminal C. However, in the future, airport authorities plan to rebuild many of the current facilities. Terminal A may be turned into a much larger central terminal building, and Terminal B may be demolished. The terminals are quite far from one another, and therefore there are shuttle buses for passenger transport. These buses are red in colour. Shuttle buses are also used for transport to the further parking areas, and for reaching the consolidated rental car facility of the airport, which was opened in May of 2007. This building was part of the more recent renovations that were completed for the airport to expand and upgrade its facilities. Since that the airport is located quite far from many of the city’s business districts car rental from the airport is very popular. Many persons travelling for leisure purposes hire vehicles as well.

The car hire companies of Avis, Hertz, Budget, National, Alamo, Thrifty, Dollar, Enterprise, Auto Europa and Europcar are found in the building on the corners of London and Paris, and London and Bern Streets, a few minutes drive from the terminal buildings. Although away from the terminals, the new consolidated rental car facility is still on the airport grounds. Passengers will find four stops for the car rental shuttles outside of each terminal (at marked shelters at terminal medians). The shuttles are grey in colour with ‘Rental Car Shuttle Bus’ written on their sides, and stop at the terminals every two to five minutes. Many of the companies mentioned above are open twenty four hours a day at this location, and therefore the shuttles are provided throughout the day and night as well. They are also free of charge.

The buses used to and from the rental car centre are of the Killig variety, and are forty feet, or twelve metres in length. They carry a reasonable number of passengers at one time, and are able to transport all types of luggage items as well. The buses are equipped with low floors, which means they are accessible to persons with mobility challenges. The car hire companies offer services for persons with disabilities as well. Passengers can hire hand control equipment, and someone who has a visual impairment may still be the primary renter of a vehicle (if accompanied by someone with a valid drivers license to operate the vehicle) from Kansas City International Airport. Hand controls are free of charge, available only for persons with a lower limb disability and will require an advanced reservation.

The Kansas City International Airport car rental companies hire their vehicle by category, and not by their specific makes and models, however, exact models can be requested from certain categories available from Hertz and Budget. Cheaper rental rates are usually available for Economy, Compact, Midsize, Standard and Fullsize vehicles, such as the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Chevy Aveo, Nissan Versa, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Impala. Larger SUVs and Minivans, and Premium and Luxury vehicles will have higher price tags. Popular SUVs include the Ford Escape, Ford Edge, Chevrolet Traverse, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, of which a few can seat up to seven or eight passengers. Minivans are ideal for larger groups of travellers as well, and could be similar to the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country and Toyota Sienna.

Various items of equipment can be arranged with each vehicle, and customers may even request a one way hire service that allows the vehicle to be returned to a different car rental location, and this option is especially convenient for persons who are not planning to come back to Kansas City International Airport. One way hires may require an advanced reservation, and their charges could depend on the length of the rental and on the return location chosen. Although the vehicle may usually travel to all nearby American states, it is often not permitted to be taken out of the country. All passengers in vehicles driven in the United States are required by law to wear seatbelts, therefore always rent a child seat for younger family members. Satellite navigation systems are available as well, and are very useful for all who are unfamiliar with the Kansas city roadways.

To rent a car in the United States of America it is important to be over the age of 21, and to have a valid drivers license and a major credit card. Further documents may be required as well, such as a form of identification other than a drivers license, a return airline ticket and an International Driving Permit if from a foreign country. Licenses accepted are those issued in the United States and Canada, and the credit cards most often accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diner’s Club Int’l, AT & T Capital, Discover, Sears, PHH and GE Capital. A check for credit worthiness could be performed. Keep in mind that drivers younger than 25 will pay higher rental rates for young drivers insurance.

Many lovely areas can be explored nearby Kansas City in a rented car, for example, Independence and Blue Springs to the east, Overland Park to the south and Gladstone to the north. Within a few hours motorists can also reach Oklahoma City, St. Louis and Tulsa. In the city of Kansas, roads are quite easy to navigate, and are well signposted. Various parking areas are available as well. Always obey the speed limits which are 30mph in urban areas, 65mph on open roads and 70mph on motorways and highways.

Contact your chosen Kansas City International Airport car hire company for further details, or simply make an online reservation for the best car rental rates.