As soon as you have obtained your student visa, you must finalize your travel arrangements. Complete the Travel Plan Confirmation found on your TruView page. If your plans change, please submit an updated form. It is important to keep the Center for International Students fully informed of your travel arrangements, including dates, times, methods, and cities of departure and arrival.
Recommended Routes to Kirksville, Missouri
- If you arrive in Kansas City, Missouri:
- Take the Truman shuttle from Kansas City International Airport to Truman’s campus (3 hours).
- Take the Amtrak train from Kansas City, Missouri to La Plata, Missouri (2 hours). Take a Truman shuttle from La Plata, Missouri to Truman’s campus (15 minutes).
- If you arrive in Chicago, Illinois:
- Take the Amtrak train from Chicago, Illinois to La Plata, Missouri (5 hours). Take a Truman shuttle from La Plata, Missouri to Truman’s campus (15 minutes).
- Take the Contour Airlines commuter flight from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Kirksville Regional Airport (1 hour and 15 minutes). Take a Truman Shuttle or a taxi to Truman’s campus (10 minutes).
Scheduling and Buying Tickets
Public transit in the United States, especially in the Midwest, is less common than in many other countries. It is important to book your tickets for all parts of your travel in advance to assure seat availability. Additionally, transit is often delayed so we encourage you to leave enough time to make connections.
- Amtrak Train:
Tickets can be bought online at amtrak.com. - Contour Airlines
Tickets can be bought online at contourairlines.com.
Truman Shuttles
Truman provides shuttles specifically for newly arriving international students. The shuttles run by reservation only. To make a reservation, please fill out the Travel Plan Confirmation on TruView to notify us of your arrival.
- From Kansas City International Airport
- January 8th and January 9th, 2026
- Pick up at Column 1M (by the taxi stands)
- The shuttle departs the airport at 11:00am, and arrives in Kirksville at approximately 3:00pm.
- Cost is $75
- From the La Plata Amtrak Station
- January 8th and January 9th, 2026
- Pick up at the La Plata Amtrak Train Station upon student arrival.
- Free!
- From the Kirksville Airport
- January 8th and January 9th, 2026
- Pick up at the Kirksville Airport upon student arrival.
- Free!
Kansas City Airport Hotels
You may need to stay in a Kansas City Airport hotel if you arrive prior to arrival day and plan to take the shuttle to Kirksville, Missouri. Many airport hotels provide free shuttle service to and from the airport. Across from the luggage carousels where you pick up your suitcases, there is a hotel directory with free phone service. From that phone you can call a hotel and inquire about room availability, cost, and shuttle pick up. They will pick you up from the airport and take you to your hotel. The next day you can arrange for them to bring you back to the airport in time to meet the Truman shuttle.
Kirksville Hotels
Students who will live in the residence halls and arrive in Kirksville prior to January 8th, 2026 must stay in a hotel until the residence halls are open. Early check-in to on-campus residence halls is not allowed. Students who will live off-campus may wish to stay in a hotel until housing can be acquired.
Days Inn
3805 South Baltimore St.
660-665-8244
Quality Inn
2209 North Baltimore St.
660-665-2205
Knight’s Inn
2521 South Franklin St
660-665-8352
Hampton Inn
2604 North Baltimore St.
660-224-0992
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
2523 South Franklin St.
660-956-4682