Major city · United States
Atchison
Half a day for the Amelia Earhart sites and a walk past the old houses; skip if you are not interested in aviation history or haunted-house tours.
Atchison is a small Missouri River town in eastern Kansas, best known as the birthplace of Amelia Earhart. The main draw is the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum and the International Forest of Friendship. A handful of 19th-century houses, two of them marketed as haunted, fill out an afternoon. Most travellers pass through on US-59 between St. Joseph and Lawrence.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Airport
- MCI
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Atchison911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Atchison Police (non-emergency)913-367-4323
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Atchison, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the main risk is traffic on US-59 and the lack of street lighting on side streets at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 913-367-4323 Atchison Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMCI Kansas City International (About 1 h 15 min drive south via US-59 and I-29; no direct public transport.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable between the riverfront and the historic district.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- Sit-down mealDinner entrée$12–25
- Street or quick mealLunch sandwich$8–12
- BeerBeer (tap)$4–6
- Budget bedB&B double room, a night, per roomUS$90
- Mid-range bedHoliday Inn Express double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedHoliday Inn Express double room, a night, per roomUS$200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MCI Kansas City International (About 1 h 15 min drive south via US-59 and I-29; no direct public transport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Atchison: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Nov
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable between the riverfront and the historic district. You need a car for the International Forest of Friendship (about 3 km south of downtown).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 50 min
US-59 south, about 45 min
College town with a walkable downtown and the University of Kansas campus.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
US-59 south then I-29 south, about 1 h
Full day for the museums, barbecue and the river market.
St. Joseph, Missouri
goDoor to door: About 30 min
US-59 north, about 25 min
Pony Express Museum and the Jesse James Home.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Main Street
The Holiday Inn Express is the main hotel; a few B&Bs in the historic district.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–130 excl. bed
- High
- $130+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Holiday Inn Express double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum entry2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$198 per person per day, bed included | US$396 |
2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Lunch sandwich | $8–12 |
| Dinner entrée | $12–25 |
| Beer (tap) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per US gallon) | $3.00–3.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Sallie House and McInteer Villa tours are by appointment only: call ahead.
- Many restaurants close early (by 21:00) on weeknights.Many restaurants close early (by 9:00 PM) on weeknights.
- No Uber or Lyft coverage is reliable; plan on driving or walking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Atchison Police (non-emergency)
- 913-367-4323
Pocket card
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AtchisonAtchison
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Atchison Police (non-emergency)913-367-4323
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KCI Airport → Atchison by taxi or rideshare: about $80–120 (check)
- Atchison → Lawrence by car: about 45 min, fuel $5–8
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Thank you — Thank you (THANK yoo)
- How much? — How much? (how MUCH)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the bathroom? (wair iz the REST-room)
English is universal; no local dialect issues.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Atchison. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialCity of Atchison official website
- officialAmelia Earhart Birthplace Museum
- officialVisit Atchison
- secondaryWikivoyage: Atchison, revision 4988648 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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