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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Iowa City to St Louis. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to St Louis usually takes around 10 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 5 minutes.
| Distance | 221 mi (356 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 5m |
| Cheapest price | €80.10 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from Iowa City to St Louis?
€124.55 is the average price of a bus ticket from Iowa City to St Louis. Bus tickets on this route can be more expensive due to the length of the trip. However, taking the bus can still be a good 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.
Monthly average prices
The lowest bus ticket prices on this route can usually be found in July. That’s when the average price of a bus ticket is expected to be just €64 – the lowest of the year.
Alternatively, if you plan to travel from Iowa City to St Louis in November, expect to spend more on your bus trip, as the average ticket price may surge to €111 at that time of year. However, if you book your trip ahead of time, you can still score a ticket at a lower price.
What bus companies travel from Iowa City to St Louis?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to St Louis. 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.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Trailways | 2 | 10h 53m | €129.00 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to St Louis from €80. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to St Louis and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to St Louis. In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways departs to St Louis from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St . In St Louis, Burlington Trailways arrives at Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to St Louis takes 10 hours and 53 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to St Louis in 7 hours and 5 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to St Louis.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 10 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 356 kilometers from Iowa City to St Louis. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 5 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.
Thursday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Thursday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 01:00 and the last bus leaves at 09:00. To see the times for all buses from Iowa City to St Louis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Iowa City
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
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.
St Louis
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
St. Louis is one of several major cities in the state of Missouri and it is uniquely located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The city is usually recognized by its most distinctive feature, the Gateway Arch, thanks to which it is the only city in the United States that has a national park in the heart of its downtown district. The Arch is a must-see attraction and you can even take a tram to the top for some incredible views of the St. Louis skyline.
Some of the other truly unique attractions you can visit while you’re in town include the Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis where you can check out an incredible collection of dolls, dollhouses and vignettes, and the City Museum where you can ride down a 10-story spiral slide (yup, you read that right.) For a great outdoor experience, stop by the gorgeous Missouri Botanical Garden, and then take a stroll through Citygarden where you will find various quirky statues and installations worthy of being featured in your Instagram feed.
Ale enthusiasts would be excited to know that St. Louis is one of the best craft beer cities in the U.S. as well as one of the cheapest drinking cities. That means your party budget could take you a long way. Unsurprisingly, the city is also among the best spring break destinations on a budget.
The main bus and train station in St. Louis, Gateway Station, is located right in the center of downtown, not far from the Gateway Arch, which makes coming in and out of the city a breeze.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Iowa City?
Main departure 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
Where does the bus arrive in St Louis?
Image credit: Chris Yunker
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
Gateway Station opened in 2008 to consolidate St Louis’ transportation services into one central hub. The station’s award-winning design includes a pedestrian walkway with expansive colored glass windows overlooking the train tracks. Perfectly located in the heart of downtown St Louis, the station is surrounded by bars, restaurants, and hotels and is just a few blocks from Busch Stadium and the iconic Gateway Arch. Amenities inside the station include free Wifi, a food court, and a lounge for Amtrak’s First Class passengers. Gateway Station is a major stop for intercity bus service, several Amtrak train lines, and the city’s MetroLink which can connect you with the St Louis Lambert International Airport in just 30 minutes.
Bus stations in St Louis:
Gateway Station - 430 S 15th St
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