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Iowa City to Lincoln bus

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Iowa City - Lincoln Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 2 intercity buses per day from Iowa City to Lincoln. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Lincoln usually takes around 9 hours and 10 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 6 hours,

Distance274 mi (441 km)
Shortest duration6h 0m
Cheapest price$85.00
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines1

How much is a bus ticket from Iowa City to Lincoln?

Bus tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Lincoln cost $97.00 on average. While it’s a bit pricey for a bus ticket, it’s still significantly more cost-effective than flying. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Monthly average prices

$100$80$60$40$20AMJJASONDJFM
If you're planning on taking a bus from Iowa City to Lincoln, you'll be happy to know that the cost stays pretty stable throughout the year. You can expect to pay around $86 for your ticket regardless of when you plan to travel.

What bus companies travel from Iowa City to Lincoln?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Lincoln. 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.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways29h 11m$101.41
  • Book Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Lincoln from $85. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Lincoln and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Lincoln. In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways departs to Lincoln from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St . In Lincoln, Burlington Trailways arrives at 5250 Superior St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Lincoln takes 9 hours and 11 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Lincoln in 6 hours and 0 minutes .

    On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Lincoln.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 10 minutes to cover the 274 miles from Iowa City to Lincoln. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours. 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.

Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to Lincoln at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.

On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.

The first bus leaves at 9:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Iowa City to Lincoln, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are usually only 2 buses per day from Iowa City to Lincoln. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.

City Information

Iowa City

Iowa City, IA - IOW-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Iowa City, IA - IOW-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Iowa City, IA - IOW-2

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.

Lincoln

Lincoln, NE, US - LNK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska and is known as Nebraska's political hub, culture center, and foodie haven. It's home to the Nebraska State Capitol, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and other historical attractions.

The Sunken Gardens is a top place to visit for outdoor fun, with lily ponds, themed gardens, and sculptures. Young families will enjoy visiting the Lincoln Children's Zoo, offering a zoo train and up-close animal encounters. On the University of Nebraska Campus, art lovers can check the Sheldon Museum of Art for its notable sculpture garden and American art collection.

As the capital of Nebraska, Lincoln is bustling with nightlife and many fun things to do. You can participate in different activities, from the Lincoln Escape Room and Zoo Bar to the Bourbon Theater and James Arthur Vineyards. The craft beer scene in Lincoln is bustling with taprooms, breweries, and bars. Zipline Brewing Co is one of the city's most popular craft artisan lagers and ales.

Amtrak provides train service to the city, while Jefferson Lines and Burlington Trailways offer buses. StarTran provides citywide transportation to those in Lincoln.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Iowa City?

Main departure 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

Where does the bus arrive in Lincoln?

Main arrival station: 5250 Superior St

All buses from Iowa City arrive at one main station in Lincoln.

All bus stations in Lincoln:

  • 5250 Superior St

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