Time from MCI Hertz drop off to B gates?
For those familiar with MCI:
I’m trying to make a really tight 6pm Delta flight on a Sunday. What is my best/worst case scenario for how long it’ll take to get from Hertz drop off to the B gates? Looks like it usually goes out of B52.
Using Clear/TSA pre check.
Thanks!
At Kansas City International Airport (MCI), the Hertz rental car facility is located on the airport property but a short distance from the terminal. Once you drop off your car, the next step is to get to the terminal for your flight, which is typically done via the airport shuttle. Since your flight departs from B gates (around B52), here’s what to expect.
Time estimates:
- Hertz drop-off to terminal shuttle: 5 minutes. The Hertz return area is close to the shuttle pick-up points, but there may be a short wait for the shuttle, especially on busy Sundays.
- Shuttle ride to terminal: 5–10 minutes. Shuttles run frequently, roughly every 5 minutes, but allow extra time if one just left.
- Terminal to B gates security: 5–15 minutes. With TSA PreCheck and Clear, you can usually get through security very quickly, often under 5 minutes, but give yourself some buffer for peak times.
- Walk to B52 gate: 5–10 minutes. MCI’s terminal layout has a central terminal with two side concourses (B and C). B52 is toward the middle of the B concourse, so walking time is reasonable.
Overall best-case scenario:
- Hertz drop-off to shuttle: 5 minutes
- Shuttle to terminal: 5 minutes
- Security and walk to gate: 10 minutes
- Total: ~20 minutes
Worst-case scenario (minor delays or slightly longer shuttle wait):
- Hertz drop-off to shuttle: 10 minutes
- Shuttle to terminal: 10 minutes
- Security and walk to gate: 15 minutes
- Total: ~35 minutes
Tips for a tight connection:
- Have your boarding pass ready on your phone or printed before returning the car.
- Use Clear and TSA PreCheck to minimize security wait.
- Stay aware of shuttle schedules; if a shuttle is just leaving, walking to the terminal might save time.
- Target dropping off your Hertz car at least 40–45 minutes before your flight if you want a comfortable margin, especially on a Sunday when shuttles and lines can be busier than expected.
In summary, with Clear and TSA PreCheck, you can usually get from Hertz to your B gate in roughly 20–35 minutes, but planning for the upper end ensures you won’t feel rushed.
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