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Lincoln to Iowa City bus

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Lincoln - Iowa City Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There are 3 intercity buses per day from Lincoln to Iowa City. Traveling by bus from Lincoln to Iowa City usually takes around 9 hours and 25 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance274 mi (441 km)
Shortest duration6h 15m
Cheapest price€79.39
Most frequent serviceBurlington Trailways
Bus lines2

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Lincoln to Iowa City

(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)

5.0

5.0

Sondra

August 11, 2023- Solo travel

Burlington Trailways

Pros: To go to my brother and sister-in-law's 60 Wedding Anniversary (which was a surprise as they thought I could not come) and to visit the rest of my awesome family (son and family and daughter and her family)! Cons: I just thought it was AWESOME that you waited for each bus that was late so no one missed their busses and you waited for everyone to get there within reason! To me, being late to the next place was nothing. I am so thankful and blessed to ride TRAILWAY! Tips: on this to and from ride - No, I felt each rider, no matter their color, their size, ability, or language was well treated and respected! God Bless YOU ALL! I will ride TRAILWAY again!

What bus companies travel from Lincoln to Iowa City?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Lincoln to Iowa City that you can compare and book on Wanderu. Of these two carriers, Burlington Trailways usually offers more choice, with 2 scheduled trips per day.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Burlington Trailways29h 35m€111.94
FlixBus US16h 20m€114.61

  • Book Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Iowa City from €79. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Iowa City and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Iowa City. In Lincoln, Burlington Trailways departs to Iowa City from 5250 Superior St . In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways arrives at Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St .

    An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Lincoln to Iowa City takes 9 hours and 35 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Iowa City in 6 hours and 15 minutes .

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

  • 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 Lincoln to Iowa City, and the average ticket for this route costs only .

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 9 hours and 25 minutes to cover the 274 miles from Lincoln to Iowa City. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 15 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.

Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, 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 4:00am and the last bus leaves at 4:00am. To see the times for all buses from Lincoln to Iowa City, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.

There are 3 scheduled buses that travel from Lincoln to Iowa City every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so no matter which bus you take, you will have to transfer buses at least once during your journey.

City Information

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.

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.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in Lincoln?

Main departure station: 5250 Superior St

Lincoln has two bus stations with service to Iowa City.

All bus stations in Lincoln:

  • 5250 Superior St

  • 5250 Superior St

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

Get around town with Moovit

Find the best way to get to and from any station in Iowa City by public transit, courtesy of Moovit. Search now

From the Wanderu blog

Need a return trip from Iowa City to Lincoln?

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