Cheap bus tickets from Ames to Iowa City
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Ames to Iowa City Bus Schedule
Bus from Ames to Iowa City: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Ames to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Ames to Iowa City usually takes around 5 hours and 38 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $69.00 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Ames to Iowa City?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Ames to Iowa City. Jefferson Lines 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 2 | 5h 38m | $77.11 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Ames to Iowa City from $69. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Ames to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Iowa City. In Ames, Jefferson Lines departs to Iowa City from Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave . In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Ames to Iowa City takes 5 hours and 38 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Iowa City in 2 hours and 45 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Iowa City.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ames to Iowa City
The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 38 minutes to cover the 111 miles from Ames to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 45 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 Ames 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 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 10:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Ames to Iowa City, 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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Ames?
Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
Most buses depart from the main station in Ames.
All bus stations in Ames:
Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave
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
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Need a return trip from Iowa City to Ames?
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