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Chicago to Iowa City bus

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Chicago - Iowa City Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Chicago to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Chicago to Iowa City usually takes around 4 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 45 minutes.

Distance202 mi (324 km)
Shortest duration4h 45m
Cheapest price€62.84
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines1

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for buses from Chicago to Iowa City

(Based on 13 ratings and reviews)

4.6

5.0

Dasia

January 6, 2024- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: The trip was nice. Cons: Nothing.

5.0

Sirilo

November 4, 2023- Visiting friends

Burlington Trailways

Just fine

4.0

Lindsay

June 9, 2023- Visiting friends

Burlington Trailways

Pros: The drive was smooth. Cons: The bus could have been cleaner. Tips: Get to your stop a couple minutes earlier.

5.0

Victor

April 26, 2023- Visiting family

Burlington Trailways

Pros: timely. Tips: Highly recommended for other travellers. There need for stable wifi.

5.0

Regina

April 25, 2023- Visiting family

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Sitting alone. Cons: Restroom wipes for the toilet. Tips: Wear a mask if you have to sit next to someone you don’t know.

How much is a bus ticket from Chicago to Iowa City?

€62.84 is the average price of a bus ticket from Chicago to Iowa City. While it’s on the pricier side for a bus ticket, taking the bus is still a cheaper alternative to flying. It’s easy to find a bus ticket at this price or lower when you use Wanderu to book your trip online in advance of your travel date.

Average prices by travel date

€69€46€23MarApr

Bus tickets from Chicago to Iowa City are expected to cost between €63 and €65 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Iowa City within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from €63. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

€46€37€28€18€9AMJJASONDJFM

The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in March. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just €31 – the lowest of the year.

Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Chicago to Iowa City in September, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to €45 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.

Prices as travel date approaches

€92€74€55€37€183020100

To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 16 days in advance to save up to €10.64.

What bus companies travel from Chicago to Iowa City?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Chicago to Iowa City. Burlington Trailways connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways34h 54m€65.01
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Iowa City from €63. There are 3 Burlington Trailways schedules from Chicago to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Iowa City. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways departs to Iowa City from Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and no other station. In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St and no other station.

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Chicago to Iowa City takes 4 hours and 54 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Iowa City in 4 hours and 45 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 3 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway trip to Iowa City.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 4 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 324 kilometers from Chicago to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 45 minutes. In other words, you'll have plenty of time to rest and relax on the road. 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 Chicago 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 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Chicago to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Chicago to Iowa City every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct buses, where you can stay on the same bus without having to transfer to a connecting bus at any point during your trip.

City Information

Chicago

Known for its innovative architecture, cultural contributions to jazz and house music, and of course that irresistible deep-dish pizza, the many sights and experiences in Chicago make it one of the best urban vacation destinations for millennials and a top destination in Illinois.

You can't beat the views of the city and Lake Michigan from the SkyDeck in the Willis Tower; at over 1,300 feet, this is the highest observation deck in the U.S. Snap that classic selfie with the Bean in Millennium Park, then wander the many museums in nearby Grant Park. Navy Pier is a popular tourist hotspot for its parks, restaurants, and attractions right on Lake Michigan, and baseball fans will find paradise in Wrigleyville, home to the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and sports bars galore.

Chicago's enormous parks offer plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities in gorgeous urban settings. Many companies offer kayak rentals or boat tours on the Chicago River, with special tours running on Saint Patrick's Day, when the entire river is dyed green. When you’re ready to buy some souvenirs from your epic trip, hit the big brand stores on the Magnificent Mile, or shop local in neighborhoods like Andersonville and Wicker Park. And don't miss the chance to laugh until you cry at The Second City comedy theater, famous for launching the careers of comedians like Tina Fey and Stephen Colbert.

Chicago is one of the biggest transportation hubs in the Midwest, and provides easy access to nearby destinations ideal for day trips, as well as international travel from two airports. Thanks to plenty of bus and train stations throughout the city, getting to the Windy City is a breeze.

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 Chicago?

Chicago Greyhound Bus Station - CHIGLI3-0

Image credit: Jeramey Jannene

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St

Most buses depart from the main station in Chicago.

All bus stations in Chicago:

  • Bus Station - 630 W Harrison 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.

Bus stations in Iowa City:

  • Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St

Get around town with Moovit

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Need a return trip from Iowa City to Chicago?

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