Getting Around Wichita
Wichita is, by and large, a driving town. Its streets follow a fairly easy-to-navigate grid, traffic tends to be lighter than in most larger cities, and parking is almost always free and plentiful — even downtown. For a visitor, that combination makes a car the most practical way to see the city and its surroundings.
Rental Cars
If you didn't drive to Wichita, you'll likely want to rent a car when you arrive. Points of interest are spread far enough apart that a rental quickly becomes cost-effective compared with piecing together other modes. A car also opens up excursions beyond the city — no trip to Wichita is complete without a drive through the nearby Flint Hills, and that's only possible in a car (preferably a convertible).
Rail, Metro and Tram
Wichita has no local rail, metro or tram network for getting around the city. Amtrak does not serve the city directly with passenger trains, though a shuttle service connects the Wichita Transit Center at 214 S Topeka St with Newton for the Southwest Chief and with Oklahoma City for the Heartland Flyer. In other words, rail can get you to the region, but not around town.
Buses and Public Transport
City bus service is the only form of public transit serving Wichita. It may cover areas near some sights you'd want to see, but not nearly all of them. Routes are long and the wait for the next bus can stretch to an hour, so in general this is not a good way to get around. Plan on the bus only if your destinations happen to sit along a route and you have time to spare.
Intercity Buses
For arrivals from elsewhere, Greyhound stops at the bus terminal in downtown Wichita at 312 South Broadway, and Beeline Express also operates from that address. Los Paisanos, with a stop at 2210 North Somerset St, travels to the southern United States and Mexico, and buses to Kansas City can be found there as well.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis in Wichita are hailable only at the airport — they don't even queue at downtown hotels, and unlike other cities of its size you can't find any at the bus station. Ride-hailing is the more dependable option: both Uber and Lyft operate ridesharing services in the city.
Walkability
Walking is not a realistic way to cover the city as a whole. Wichita is almost exclusively a driving town, and its points of interest are far enough apart that a rental car quickly becomes the sensible choice. Expect to walk within a district or from a parking spot to your destination, not between major sights.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) sits west of the city's center. It serves nine carriers providing service from eleven cities across the country, most of which are major hubs with connecting service to points around the world. Airlines include Alaska Airlines (from Seattle); Allegiant Air (from Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix); American Airlines (from Chicago-O'Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth); Delta Air Lines (from Atlanta and Minneapolis/St. Paul); Southwest Airlines (from Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love and Las Vegas); and United Airlines (from Chicago-O'Hare, Denver and Houston).
Once you land, the airport is the one place in Wichita where you can reliably hail a taxi. Ride-hailing through Uber and Lyft is also available, and if you plan to explore the city and the surrounding Flint Hills, picking up a rental car at the airport is the most flexible way to start your trip.