Cheap bus tickets from Champaign to Iowa City
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Champaign to Iowa City Bus Schedule
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 7 hours and 5 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 5 hours and 55 minutes.
| Distance | 202 mi (325 km) |
| Shortest duration | 5h 55m |
| Cheapest price | HRK 473.32 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Jefferson Lines |
| Bus lines | 2 |

How much is a bus ticket from Champaign to Iowa City?
Bus tickets for a trip from Champaign to Iowa City cost HRK 481.03 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 avg. prices
What bus companies travel from Champaign to Iowa City?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Champaign to Iowa City that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 9h 8m | HRK 518.91 |
| Jefferson Lines | 1 | 5h 56m | HRK 489.85 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from Champaign to Iowa City, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Book Jefferson Lines from Champaign to Iowa City from HRK 490. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Champaign to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Iowa City. In Champaign, Jefferson Lines departs to Iowa City from Illinois Term - 45 E University Ave . In Iowa City, Jefferson Lines arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St .
An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Champaign to Iowa City takes 5 hours and 56 minutes , while the fastest available Jefferson Lines trip will get you to Iowa City in 5 hours and 55 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 Iowa City.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Champaign to Iowa City
The bus takes an average of 7 hours and 5 minutes to cover the 202 miles from Champaign to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 5 hours and 55 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.
Travelers prefer riding the bus on Saturday to enjoy the weekend in Iowa City. If you are planning to travel on a Saturday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Thursday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Thursday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 2:00am and the last bus leaves at 7:00am. To see the times for all buses from Champaign to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
Champaign

Image credit: Unsplash

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
731 S Riverside Dr
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