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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Iowa City usually takes around 2 hours, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 107 mi (173 km) |
| Shortest duration | 2h 0m |
| Cheapest price | $43.00 |
| Trips per day | 2 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Iowa City?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Iowa City cost $43.00 on average. Tickets cheaper than $43.00 are an excellent bargain. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
To save money on bus tickets, buy them as early as possible. Bus carriers usually charge higher ticket prices the closer you book to the date of travel. Book your ticket at least 25 days in advance to save up to $6.34.
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Iowa City?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Iowa City. 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 | 2h 0m | $48.70 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Iowa City from $43. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Iowa City. In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways departs to Iowa City from Des Moines . In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Des Moines to Iowa City takes 2 hours and 0 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Iowa City.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 2 hours to cover the 107 miles from Des Moines to Iowa City. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 8:00am and the last bus leaves at 11:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Des Moines
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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.
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 Des Moines?
Main departure station: Des Moines
Most buses depart from the main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
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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