5.0
Pros: The Driver. Cons: Bathroom smell of urine.
5.0
The bud driver (Dan) was friendly and helpful.
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Journey Information
There are 4 intercity coaches per day from Des Moines to Chicago. Traveling by coach from Des Moines to Chicago usually takes around 9 hours and 22 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways coach can make the trip in 6 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 309 mi (497 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 10m |
| Cheapest price | HUF 34,862.39 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Coach lines | 1 |
Coach Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Overall score for coaches from Des Moines to Chicago
(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)
5.0
How much is a coach ticket from Des Moines to Chicago?
HUF 34,862.39 is the average price of a bus ticket from Des Moines to Chicago. 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
Bus tickets from Des Moines to Chicago are expected to cost between HUF 35,596 and HUF 36,697 over the next four weeks. If you're planning a trip to Chicago within the next week, you can find the cheapest bus tickets starting from HUF 35,596. Don't wait too long to book your ticket, as prices tend to rise as the travel date approaches.
Monthly average prices
If you're on the hunt for the cheapest bus tickets from Des Moines to Chicago, mark your calendar for May. During this period, you can expect to find the lowest average ticket price of the year, just HUF 21,284. However, taking the bus from Des Moines to Chicago during November is not so cheap. This time of year, ticket prices often reach an average of HUF 37,064. The best way to find deals on a trip in November is to plan ahead and book your bus ticket as early as possible.
Prices as travel date approaches
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 23 days in advance to save up to HUF 5,530.28.
What coach companies travel from Des Moines to Chicago?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Chicago. Burlington Trailways connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Trailways | 4 | 9h 23m | HUF 36,407.34 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Chicago from HUF 34,862. There are 4 Burlington Trailways schedules from Des Moines to Chicago and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Chicago. In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways departs to Chicago from Des Moines and no other station. In Chicago, Burlington Trailways arrives at Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St and no other station.
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Chicago takes 9 hours and 23 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Chicago in 6 hours and 10 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 4 trips per day and you could expect to pay for a weekend getaway to Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coach takes an average of 9 hours and 22 minutes to cover the 309 miles from Des Moines to Chicago. However, the fastest coach only takes 6 hours and 10 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual coach 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 coaches as people head from Des Moines to Chicago 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, Sunday is typically the least busy day for coach travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded coaches to Chicago, book your ticket for the last day of the week."
The first coach leaves at 08:00 and the last coach leaves at 23:00. To see the times for all coaches from Des Moines to Chicago, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 4 scheduled coaches that travel from Des Moines to Chicago every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. This includes 2 direct coaches, where you can stay on the same coach without having to transfer to a connecting coach at any point during your trip.
City Information
Des Moines
Image credit: Unsplash
Des Moines is the capital city of Iowa and the most populous city in the state. It has been named the third-largest insurance capital in the world because of its relevance in the US insurance industry. Des Moines is home to historic landmarks, especially in the East Village area. These include the gold-domed Iowa State Capitol building. Art lovers can visit the Des Moines Art Center, which has notable contemporary collections, and the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a pedestrian space with public attractions. Des Moines also has spots for outdoor adventures, like the Blank Park Zoo, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Living History Farms.
Des Moines offers diverse places for entertainment, like the Praire Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel, and the Salisbury House & Gardens, a concert venue in a 1920s manor. In the heart of the city is Downtown Des Moines, which has different attractions and entertainment venues, festivals and concerts, shopping spots, sports teams, restaurants, bars, and breweries.
It's very easy to access Des Moines when you're traveling by bus. Over a hundred neighboring cities offer bus lines to the city, powered by companies like Jefferson Lines, Tornado Bus, Burlington Trailways, and El Expreso Bus. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority also provides bus routes throughout the city.
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.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Des Moines?
Main departure station: Des Moines
Most coaches depart from the main station in Des Moines.
All coach stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Where does the coach arrive in Chicago?
Image credit: Jeramey Jannene
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
All coaches from Des Moines arrive at one main station in Chicago.
Coach stations in Chicago:
Bus Station - 630 W Harrison St
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