Cheap coach tickets from Madison to Des Moines
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Coach from Madison to Des Moines: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity coaches per day from Madison to Des Moines. Travelling by coach from Madison to Des Moines usually takes around 12 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest FlixBus US coach can make the trip in 11 hours and 55 minutes.
- Distance
- 238 mi (383 km)
- Shortest duration
- 11h 55m
- Cheapest price
- £50.01
- Trips per day
- 3
- Most frequent service
- Jefferson Lines
- Coach lines
- 2
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Madison to Des Moines Coach Timetable

There are several coach options that can take you from Madison to Des Moines:
See more detailsHow much is a coach ticket from Madison to Des Moines?
Coach tickets for a trip from Madison to Des Moines cost about £70 when you book at the cheapest time, 8 days ahead. While it’s a bit pricey for a coach ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find coach tickets at or below this price.
Average coach ticket prices from Madison to Des Moines by travel date
If you're planning to travel by coach from Madison to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from £52 to £110. The cheapest coach tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on 10 November 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, coach tickets are available starting at £52.
Average coach ticket prices from Madison to Des Moines by month
Taking the coach from Madison to Des Moines is usually cheapest in November, when the average ticket price is only £88. If you're planning to take the coach from Madison to Des Moines during December, keep in mind that coach ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of £116. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most coach companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your coach tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest coach tickets, book your trip at least 8 days in advance. This way, you can save up to £56.23 on your coach ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What coach companies travel from Madison to Des Moines?
There are two coach lines that have daily service from Madison to Des Moines that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, FlixBus US usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.
| Coach | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 2 | 12h 4m | £84.21 |
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 14h 41m | £125.26 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German coach company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern coach travel. The company offers cheap coach tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US coaches include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power sockets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 2 trips per day from Madison to Des Moines, and the average ticket for this route costs only £84.21.






Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity coach company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest coach service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, toilets, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their coach tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Madison to Des Moines with ticket prices as low as £124.52.
Frequently asked questions about travelling by coach from Madison to Des Moines
There are 3 scheduled coaches that travel from Madison to Des Moines every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which coach you take, you will have to transfer coaches at least once during your journey.
Trips per day
3
Direct trips
0
The coach takes an average of 12 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 238 miles from Madison to Des Moines. However, the fastest coach only takes 11 hours and 55 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.
Distance (mi)
238
Distance (km)
383
The first coach leaves at 6:45 and the last coach leaves at 14:00. To see the times for all coaches from Madison to Des Moines, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
Earliest coach
6:45am
Latest coach
2:00pm
Because many passengers travel from Madison to Des Moines at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for coaches. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 Des Moines, book your ticket for the last day of the week.
Most crowded
Monday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Madison



Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colourful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest coach/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
Des Moines

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 Prairie 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 travelling by coach. Over a hundred neighbouring cities offer coach 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 coach routes throughout the city.
Station Information
Where does the coach leave from in Madison?
Main departure station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
Coaches to Des Moines leave from 3 stations in Madison.
All coach stations in Madison:
- University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
- Phillips 66
Where does the coach arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All coaches from Madison arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
Coach stations in Des Moines:
- Des Moines
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Madison?
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