chiku-desktop

Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Ames

Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.

chiku-mobile

Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:

Lowest Prices

We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.

Best Travel Options

We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.

Quick & Easy Booking

Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.

Fast Customer Support

We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.

See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:

Download our free app!

Find, compare & book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

4.8 Rating

5k Reviews

4.5 Rating

4.8k Reviews

Chiku

Des Moines to Ames Bus Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Bus from Des Moines to Ames: Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Ames. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Ames usually takes around 58 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 35 minutes.

Distance30 mi (48 km)
Shortest duration0h 35m
Cheapest price$20.00
Trips per day3
Most frequent serviceJefferson Lines
Bus lines2

Wander into savings:
Get deals in your inbox!

Sign up to get the latest deals on bus & train tickets sent directly to you.

How much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Ames?

Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Ames cost $20.00 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Ames by month

$50$40$30$20$10ASONDJFMAMJJ
Taking the bus from Des Moines to Ames is usually cheapest in March, when the average ticket price is only $21. If you're planning to take the bus from Des Moines to Ames during June, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $37. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Ames?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Des Moines to Ames that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Jefferson Lines usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Jefferson Lines20h 40m$20.00
Tornado Bus12h 0m$105.00
  • Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Ames from $20. There are 2 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Ames and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Ames. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Ames from Des Moines . In Ames, Jefferson Lines arrives at Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave .

    An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Ames takes 0 hours and 40 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Ames in 0 hours and 35 minutes .

    On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Ames.

  • 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 Des Moines to Ames

The bus takes an average of 58 minutes to cover the 30 miles from Des Moines to Ames. However, the fastest bus only takes 35 minutes. It's a short trip that goes by very quickly. 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.

Because many passengers travel from Des Moines to Ames at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. 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 bus travel on this route. If you are looking for less crowded buses to Ames, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

The first bus leaves at 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Ames, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Des Moines to Ames every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from Des Moines to Ames without transferring.

City Information

Des Moines

Des Moines, IA, US - DSM-0

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Des Moines?

Main departure station: Des Moines

Des Moines has two bus stations with service to Ames.

All bus stations in Des Moines:

  • Des Moines

  • Diversity Insurance Inc

Where does the bus arrive in Ames?

Main arrival station: Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Ames.

All bus stations in Ames:

  • Intermodal Station - 129 Hayward Ave

  • Phillips 66 Gas Station

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Ames by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

Need a return trip from Ames to Des Moines?

Search Bus Tickets

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.