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Cheap bus tickets from Ames to St Paul

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Ames to St Paul Bus Schedule

Bus from Ames to St Paul: Journey Information

There are 4 intercity buses per day from Ames to St Paul. Traveling by bus from Ames to St Paul usually takes around 7 hours and 37 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 4 hours and 25 minutes.

Distance204 mi (328 km)
Shortest duration4h 25m
Cheapest price$92.00
Trips per day1
Most frequent serviceJefferson Lines
Bus lines2

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What bus companies travel from Ames to St Paul?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Ames to St Paul that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 4 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines47h 41m$96.94
Tornado Bus15h 15m$155.00
  • Book Jefferson Lines from Ames to Saint Paul from $92. There are 4 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Ames to St Paul and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Saint Paul. In Ames, Jefferson Lines departs to Saint Paul from Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave . In Saint Paul, Jefferson Lines arrives at Union Depot .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Ames to Saint Paul takes 7 hours and 41 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Saint Paul in 4 hours and 25 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Saint Paul.

  • Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Ames to St Paul

The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 37 minutes to cover the 204 miles from Ames to St Paul. However, the fastest bus only takes 4 hours and 25 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 St Paul 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, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 12:00am and the last bus leaves at 12:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Ames to St Paul, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 4 scheduled buses that travel from Ames to St Paul every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. However, only one of these is a direct bus. With direct service, you do not have to transfer onto a different bus at any point during your trip. Direct buses also tend to be significantly faster, which is worth bearing in mind as you compare the available options.

City Information

St Paul

St. Paul, MN - STP-0

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Paul, MN - STP-1

Image credit: Unsplash

St. Paul, MN - STP-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, and is one of the Twin Cities, along with its neighbor across the Mississippi River, Minneapolis. As the seat of Minnesota's government, Saint Paul offers historic and cultural attractions which represent both the state and the American Midwest as a whole.

For a comprehensive introduction to the region's history, start your trip at the Minnesota History Center, just down the street from the grounds of the State Capitol building. There are museums in Saint Paul for all types of interests, including the Science Museum of Minnesota and the Schubert Club Musical Instrument Museum. For an extra dash of Saint Paul history, take a stroll down Summit Avenue, a stylish street of drool-worthy Victorian houses and mansions, including the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

If you're brave enough to visit Saint Paul during the freezing winters, you'll be rewarded with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a yearly event where you can explore ice palaces, watch live ice sculpting, and compete in city-wide scavenger hunts. Saint Paul is also one of the country's best cities for craft beer, so save time to taste some local ales or even brew your own beer at Vine Park Brewing Co.

Saint Paul is a hub for travel in the Midwest thanks in part to Amtrak's Empire Builder train service which stops at Saint Paul Union Depot. Bus service from stations throughout town and nearby Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport make it easy to travel to and from this saintly city.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Ames?

Main departure station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

Ames has two bus stations with service to Saint Paul.

All bus stations in Ames:

  • Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

  • Phillips 66 Gas Station

Where does the bus arrive in St Paul?

Union Depot - STPAMT2-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Union Depot

Located right on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood, Union Depot has a remarkable history dating back to 1881. It remains the major transport hub of Saint Paul, as well as the designated station for Amtrak service in the Twin Cities. Besides the long-haul Empire Builder train, the station serves Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity buses and connects to local public transit. Within the Union Depot complex, you’ll find a coffee shop, restaurant, bike shop, rental car agency, and can even join a public tour to admire the architecture and learn about the station’s storied past.

All bus stations in St Paul:

  • Union Depot

  • 178 Cesar Chavez St

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