Cheap bus tickets from Champaign to Iowa City
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Bus from Champaign to Iowa City: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Champaign to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Champaign to Iowa City usually takes around 8 hours and 39 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 35 minutes.
Distance | 202 mi (325 km) |
Shortest duration | 7h 35m |
Cheapest price | €69.66 |
Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
Bus lines | 1 |

What bus companies travel from Champaign to Iowa City?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Champaign 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 | 8h 40m | €75.93 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Champaign to Iowa City from €70. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Champaign to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Iowa City. In Champaign, Burlington Trailways departs to Iowa City from Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave . In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Champaign to Iowa City takes 8 hours and 40 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Iowa City in 7 hours and 35 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Iowa City.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Champaign to Iowa City
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 39 minutes to cover the 202 miles from Champaign to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 35 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.
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, 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 8:00am. To see the times for all buses from Champaign to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Champaign

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Image credit: Unsplash

Image credit: Pixabay
A significant hub for the Silicone Prairie, Champaign is a stunning city with many exciting landmarks to visit. The downtown area of Champaign is perhaps its busiest area, with over 40 different bars, art galleries, and boutique shops for you to enjoy. To enjoy arthouse films or independent productions, head over to the Art Theater, which also hosts special screenings. The campustown area near the University of Illinois hosts not only cheap eateries but also fine dining spots. The area tends to get crowded at night since students will be out on the street to enjoy the hopping nightlife.
As a busy college town, Champaign naturally has a very vibrant food scene with many excellent dining options. Radio Maria is a unique Spanish establishment with very colorful Spanish decorations and amazing tapas dishes. Those who want something more exotic and exciting could check out DESTIHL, which offers unique home-cooked dishes and great artisan beers.
The Illinois Terminal is Champaign's primary bus and train station, served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Jefferson Lines, and Greyhound. From Champaign, you can continue your journey and visit some of the other top destinations in Illinois.
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 Champaign?

Image credit: Beyond My Ken
Link to image attributionMain departure station: Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
The Illinois Terminal is located at 45 East University Avenue in Champaign. The transport center opened in 1999, and now provides bus and train service in the Champaign-Urbana area. The terminal is served by Amtrak, Burlington Trailways, Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and local mass transit. Make sure to wait in the correct station building; Champaign’s old train station, dating to 1898, is just across the street. The Illinois Terminal offers short-term parking, fast food, and even meeting spaces and banquet halls. Thanks to the station’s convenient location, some of the best restaurants and bars in downtown Champaign are just a short walk away.
All bus stations in Champaign:
Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave
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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