Cheap bus tickets from Des Moines to Madison
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Bus from Des Moines to Madison: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Des Moines to Madison. Traveling by bus from Des Moines to Madison usually takes around 16 hours and 11 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 12 hours and 30 minutes.
| Distance | 238 mi (383 km) |
| Shortest duration | 12h 30m |
| Cheapest price | €147.94 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Des Moines to Madison?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Des Moines to Madison. Jefferson Lines is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 16h 11m | €147.94 |
Book Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Madison from €148. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Des Moines to Madison and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Madison. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines departs to Madison from Des Moines . In Madison, Jefferson Lines arrives at University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Des Moines to Madison takes 16 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Madison in 12 hours and 30 minutes .
On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Madison.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Des Moines to Madison
The bus takes an average of 16 hours and 11 minutes to cover the 238 miles from Des Moines to Madison. However, the fastest bus only takes 12 hours and 30 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.
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, 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.
There is usually only one bus per day from Des Moines to Madison. It leaves the station in Des Moines at 11:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
City Information
Des Moines
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.
Madison
Consistently ranking high on the lists of the best places to live in the USA, Madison still maintains its quaint and idyllic small-town vibe despite being the capital city of Wisconsin. Sitting among the city’s most iconic and most popular landmarks is the Madison Memorial Union, which is located within the campus of the University of Madison. The building features a lakeview terrace filled with colorful chairs, allowing visitors to chill out and enjoy the sun. If you are interested in the history of the state or architecture as a whole, head over to the State Capitol building, which was built between 1906 and 1917. The building features lavish council chambers, which were modeled after the famous Doge’s Palace in Venice, along with other architectural highlights. If you wish to stay close to nature, the Olbrich Botanical garden, with its famous Thai Pavilion and Garden, will certainly be a great choice.
As a college city, Madison features numerous cutting-edge establishments that will make your mouth water. For some of the best dining views in town, head over to Graze, where you can also grab some of the best cheese curds in Madison. If you want to enjoy the best brunch in town, Sardine might have what you need.
The busiest bus/train station in Madison is located on Collins Ct. The city is served by the Dane County Regional Airport, 6 miles northeast of downtown.
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 Madison?
Main arrival station: University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
All buses from Des Moines arrive at one main station in Madison.
All bus stations in Madison:
University of Wisconsin - Gordon Center
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