Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Omaha

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

Bus from Des Moines to Omaha: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Des Moines to Omaha. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Omaha usually takes around 5 hours and 9 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance: 126 mi (203 km)
Shortest duration: 2h 15m
Cheapest price: MX$469.08
Trips per day: 1
Most frequent service: Jefferson Lines
Bus lines: 2

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

Des Moines to Omaha Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Des Moines to Omaha (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

5.0

Randy

November 27, 2024 - Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Warm Cons: Nothing Tips: Comfortable

5.0

Heather

September 11, 2021 - Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Quick Cons: Refreshments Tips: No

There are several bus options that can take you from Des Moines to Omaha:

See more details

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

Bus tickets for a trip from Des Moines to Omaha cost MX$469 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 Omaha by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Des Moines to Omaha in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from MX$469 to MX$1,839. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 24, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Omaha this week, bus tickets are available starting at MX$469.

Average bus ticket prices from Des Moines to Omaha by month

Taking the bus from Des Moines to Omaha is usually cheapest in February, when the average ticket price is only MX$732. If you're planning to take the bus from Des Moines to Omaha during June, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of MX$1,051. 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. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 7 days in advance. This way, you can save up to MX$931.97 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Omaha?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Des Moines to Omaha that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Jefferson Lines	1	2h 15m	MX$540.17
Tornado Bus	1	41h 40m	MX$3,189.76

Jefferson Lines is a well-established intercity bus company with service to some of the Midwest’s top travel destinations. As one of the United States’ largest bus service providers, Jefferson Lines is beloved by students, commuters, and vacationers in America’s heartland. Travel with Jefferson Lines is comfortable thanks to reclining seats, individual climate controls, restrooms, and free WiFi. You can even check the status of your trip with their bus tracker tool. The carrier provides safe, affordable, and reliable service from Des Moines to Omaha with ticket prices as low as MX$469.08.
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 Omaha

There is usually only one bus per day from Des Moines to Omaha. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 5 hours and 9 minutes to cover the 126 miles from Des Moines to Omaha. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 15 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.

Distance (mi)

126

Distance (km)

203

There is usually only one bus per day from Des Moines to Omaha. It leaves the station in Des Moines at 3:30 PM each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

Earliest bus

3:45am

Latest bus

3:30pm

With many people traveling in the middle of the week, Wednesday is the busiest day of the week for bus travel. If you are planning to travel on a Wednesday, 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 Omaha, book your ticket for the last day of the week.

Most crowded

Wednesday

Least crowded

Sunday

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 Prairie 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.

Omaha

Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Omaha effortlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern growth. To catch an air of the city’s old-town vibe, head towards the Old Market quarter. Featuring brick-paved streets along with horse-drawn carriages, the area is an idyllic time capsule that offers a glimpse into the past. Also situated within the quarter are the Joslyn Art Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Animal lovers might want to check out Omaha’s Doorly Zoo or the Aquarium, which features cute Rockhopper penguins as well as a 70-foot shark tunnel.

Steakhouses dominate the city’s restaurant scene, but there has been a recent boom of modern eateries. If you wish to enjoy these modern foods, Kitchen Table will offer everything you need.

The busiest bus station in the city is the Burlington Trailways Terminal downtown. For trains, the main Amtrak station is located on S 9th St, not too far from the bus station. Omaha is served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. The city’s principal airport is the Eppley Airfield, located 3 miles northeast of downtown.

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 Omaha.

All bus stations in Des Moines:

Des Moines
Diversity Insurance Inc

Where does the bus arrive in Omaha?

Main arrival station: Burlington Trailways Terminal

The Burlington Trailways Station on Jackson St, located in east Omaha, provides bus services for several bus carriers: Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Express Arrow, and Burlington Trailways. The station features an indoor waiting area, as well as vending machines and restrooms. The Burlington Trailways station is only a short walk from several cafes and restaurants if you feel like grabbing something more substantial to get you through your bus journey.

All bus stations in Omaha:

Burlington Trailways Terminal
Tobin Used Musical Instrument Store

Need a return trip from Omaha to Des Moines?

Search Bus Tickets

Plan your next adventure

More buses from Des Moines

Continue by bus from Omaha

Check out these popular routes

Calgary to Edmonton BusMX$488+
Vancouver to Seattle BusMX$788+
Washington DC to New York, NY BusMX$638+
Boston to New York BusMX$732+
Brooklyn to Philadelphia Bus
New York, NY to Washington DC BusMX$694+
New York to Boston BusMX$769+
New York to Providence BusMX$675+
Providence to New York BusMX$694+

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.