Cheap bus tickets from Lincoln to Des Moines
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
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:
Bus from Lincoln to Des Moines: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from Lincoln to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Lincoln to Des Moines usually takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes, but some buses might arrive slightly earlier or later than scheduled depending on traffic conditions.
| Distance | 169 mi (271 km) |
| Shortest duration | 3h 45m |
| Cheapest price | $57.50 |
| Trips per day | 1 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 1 |
What bus companies travel from Lincoln to Des Moines?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Lincoln to Des Moines. Burlington Trailways 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington Trailways | 1 | 3h 45m | $57.50 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Des Moines from $58. Typically there is one Burlington Trailways schedule per day from Lincoln to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Des Moines. In Lincoln, Burlington Trailways departs to Des Moines from 5250 Superior St . In Des Moines, Burlington Trailways arrives at Des Moines .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Des Moines takes 3 hours and 45 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 Des Moines.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Lincoln to Des Moines
The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 45 minutes to cover the 169 miles from Lincoln to Des Moines. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. 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, Wednesday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you're looking for some extra space on the bus, traveling mid-week is your best bet.
There is usually only one bus per day from Lincoln to Des Moines. It leaves the station in Lincoln at 4:00am 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
Lincoln
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.
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.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Lincoln?
Main departure station: 5250 Superior St
Most buses depart from the main station in Lincoln.
All bus stations in Lincoln:
5250 Superior St
Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?
Main arrival station: Des Moines
All buses from Lincoln arrive at one main station in Des Moines.
All bus stations in Des Moines:
Des Moines
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Des Moines to Lincoln?
Search Bus TicketsPlan your next adventure
More buses from Lincoln
Continue by bus from Des Moines
Check out these popular routes
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.