Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Iowa City
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Bus from Des Moines to Iowa City: Journey Information
There are 3 intercity buses per day from Des Moines to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Iowa City usually takes around 2 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in just one hour and 45 minutes.
| Distance | 107 mi (173 km) |
| Shortest duration | 1h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $17.00 |
| Trips per day | 3 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
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Des Moines to Iowa City Bus Schedule
Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers
Average score for buses from Des Moines to Iowa City (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
5.0
September 10, 2023 - Visiting friends
Burlington Trailways4.0
December 26, 2022 - Solo travel
Burlington TrailwaysThere are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Iowa City:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from Des Moines to Iowa City?
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Iowa City cost $24.47 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 Iowa City by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from Des Moines to Iowa City in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $28 to $28. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 7, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Iowa City this week, bus tickets are available starting at $28.
Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Iowa City by month
Taking the bus from Des Moines to Iowa City is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only $33. If you're planning to take the bus from Des Moines to Iowa City during September, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $47. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. If you're looking for cheap bus tickets, booking in advance is the way to go.
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Iowa City?
There are multiple buses that travel from Des Moines to Iowa City, including Jefferson Lines. Here is what you should know about the 1 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 3 | 2h 9m | $27.64 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Iowa City from $17. There are 3 trips per day offered by Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay $27.64 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Iowa City. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Iowa City from Des Moines. In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St.
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Iowa City takes 2 hours and 9 minutes, while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Iowa City in 1 hours and 45 minutes.
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 3 trips per day. A one way ticket costs $17 for a weekend trip to Iowa City.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Iowa City
Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Iowa City cost $24.47 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.
There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Des Moines to Iowa City 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 Iowa City without transferring.
TRIPS PER DAY
3
DIRECT TRIPS
3
The bus takes an average of 2 hours and 9 minutes to cover the 107 miles from Des Moines to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes an hour and 45 minutes. 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
107
DISTANCE (KM)
173
The first bus leaves at 8:30am and the last bus leaves at 11:45pm. To see the times for all buses from Des Moines to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
EARLIEST BUS
8:30am
LATEST BUS
11:45pm
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, 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.
City Information
Des Moines
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
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
Need a return trip from Iowa City to Des Moines?
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