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Lincoln to Iowa City bus

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Lincoln - Iowa City Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Lincoln to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Lincoln to Iowa City usually takes around 9 hours and 32 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance274 mi (441 km)
Shortest duration6h 15m
Cheapest price$89.25
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines1

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Lincoln to Iowa City

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Sondra

August 11, 2023- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: To go to my brother and sister-in-law's 60 Wedding Anniversary (which was a surprise as they thought I could not come) and to visit the rest of my awesome family (son and family and daughter and her family)! Cons: I just thought it was AWESOME that you waited for each bus that was late so no one missed their busses and you waited for everyone to get there within reason! To me, being late to the next place was nothing. I am so thankful and blessed to ride TRAILWAY! Tips: on this to and from ride - No, I felt each rider, no matter their color, their size, ability, or language was well treated and respected! God Bless YOU ALL! I will ride TRAILWAY again!

What bus companies travel from Lincoln to Iowa City?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Lincoln to Iowa City. Burlington Trailways is the one bus line that serves this route. Although it's the sole option, there are a couple of different scheduled times to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways29h 33m$128.04

  • Book Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Iowa City from $89. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Iowa City. In Lincoln, Burlington Trailways departs to Iowa City from 5250 Superior St . In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Iowa City takes 9 hours and 33 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Iowa City in 6 hours and 15 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Iowa City.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 32 minutes to cover the 274 miles from Lincoln to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 15 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Lincoln to Iowa City for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Tuesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Tuesday ticket is the way to go.

The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00am. To see the times for all buses from Lincoln to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Lincoln to Iowa City. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

City Information

Lincoln

Lincoln, NE, US - LNK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and is known as Nebraska's political hub, culture center, and foodie haven. It's home to the Nebraska State Capitol, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and other historical attractions.

The Sunken Gardens is a top place to visit for outdoor fun, with lily ponds, themed gardens, and sculptures. Young families will enjoy visiting the Lincoln Children's Zoo, offering a zoo train and up-close animal encounters. On the University of Nebraska Campus, art lovers can check the Sheldon Museum of Art for its notable sculpture garden and American art collection.

As the capital of Nebraska, Lincoln is bustling with nightlife and many fun things to do. You can participate in different activities, from the Lincoln Escape Room and Zoo Bar to the Bourbon Theater and James Arthur Vineyards. The craft beer scene in Lincoln is bustling with taprooms, breweries, and bars. Zipline Brewing Co is one of the city's most popular craft artisan lagers and ales.

Amtrak provides train service to the city, while Jefferson Lines and Burlington Trailways offer buses. StarTran provides citywide transportation to those in Lincoln.

Iowa City

Iowa City, IA - IOW-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Iowa City, IA - IOW-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Iowa City, IA - IOW-2

Image credit: Pixabay

The old capital city of Iowa, Iowa City, is a historic area with plenty of quaint old buildings and beautiful landmarks. The most notable attraction is the Old Capitol Building in the middle of the University of Iowa's campus. The building's first floor is a museum dedicated to the state's history so that you can brush up on your Hawkeye State knowledge (we'll get you started: the Iowa state rock is the geode!). For more history and culture, hit up Plum Grove, the home of the first Governor of Iowa, and the University of Iowa Art Museum.

Thanks to its lively cultural scene, Iowa City's food scene is vibrant and diverse. One of the must-try establishments in the city is Short's Burger and Shine, which features a wide variety of burgers made from locally sourced meat. In addition, the Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an award-winning restaurant, with visitors including many past presidents.

Bus service to Iowa City arrives right downtown for easy access to Iowa City's highlights. Although there is a small municipal airport in Iowa City, most commercial flights will depart from nearby Cedar Rapids Airport or even from Des Moines, about 100 miles away.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Lincoln?

Main departure station: 5250 Superior St

Most buses depart from the main station in Lincoln.

All bus stations in Lincoln:

  • 5250 Superior St

Where does the bus arrive in Iowa City?

Main arrival station: Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St

The Burlington Trailways Station in Iowa City is part of the Court St Transportation Center near downtown. Buses usually board outside the multi-story parking garage on Court Street. The station includes a large indoor waiting area with seating, restrooms, and even a charging station for your devices. You can walk to three hotels, a sushi restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a Starbucks, and a bar in the immediate area, so you definitely won't have to travel hungry or thirsty. Greyhound and Burlington Trailways buses depart from this station and connect Iowa City to Des Moines, Chicago, Omaha, and more cities throughout the Midwest.

All bus stations in Iowa City:

  • Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Iowa City by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Iowa City to Lincoln?

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