Cheap bus tickets from Omaha to Des Moines

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Bus from Omaha to Des Moines: Journey Information

There is one daily bus from Omaha to Des Moines. Traveling by bus from Omaha to Des Moines usually takes around 8 hours and 29 minutes, but the fastest Jefferson Lines bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance: 126 mi (203 km)
Shortest duration: 2h 15m
Cheapest price: NOK 237.50
Trips per day: 1
Most frequent service: Jefferson Lines
Bus lines: 2

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Omaha to Des Moines Bus Schedule

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from Omaha to Des Moines (Based on 2 ratings and reviews)

5.0

Randy

December 1, 2024 - Visiting friends

Burlington Trailways

Pros: Safe Cons: Nothing Tips: None

There are several bus options that can take you from Omaha to Des Moines:

See more details

How much is a bus ticket from Omaha to Des Moines?

Bus tickets for a trip from Omaha to Des Moines cost NOK 237.50 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.

Average bus ticket prices from Omaha to Des Moines by travel date

If you're planning to travel by bus from Omaha to Des Moines in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from NOK 238 to NOK 931. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on October 6, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Des Moines this week, bus tickets are available starting at NOK 238.

Average bus ticket prices from Omaha to Des Moines by month

Taking the bus from Omaha to Des Moines is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only NOK 542. If you're planning to take the bus from Omaha to Des Moines during October, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of NOK 827. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.

Prices as travel date approaches

Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 13 days in advance. This way, you can save up to NOK 1,377.51 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.

What bus companies travel from Omaha to Des Moines?

There are two bus lines that have daily service from Omaha to Des Moines that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.

Bus	Daily Trips	Avg. Time	Avg. Price
Jefferson Lines	1	2h 15m	NOK 245.98
Tornado Bus	1	41h 12m	NOK 1,615.01

Book Jefferson Lines from Omaha to Des Moines from NOK 237.50. Typically there is one Jefferson Lines schedule per day from Omaha to Des Moines and you can expect on average to pay NOK 245.98 for a Jefferson Lines ticket to Des Moines. In Omaha, Jefferson Lines departs to Des Moines from Burlington Trailways Terminal. In Des Moines, Jefferson Lines arrives at Des Moines.

An average trip on Jefferson Lines from Omaha to Des Moines takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.

On weekends, Jefferson Lines offers 1 trip per day and you could expect to pay NOK 237.50 for a one way ticket for your weekend getaway trip to Des Moines.
Tornado Bus is a Texan bus company operating in Texas and Mexico. Their bus service connects cities such as Houston, McAllen, San Antonio, and the international border at El Paso. Their buses offer onboard WiFi, plenty of leg room, air conditioning, restrooms, and power outlets.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Omaha to Des Moines

There is usually only one bus per day from Omaha to Des Moines. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.

Trips per day

Direct trips

The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 29 minutes to cover the 126 miles from Omaha to Des Moines. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 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.

Distance (mi)

126

Distance (km)

203

There is usually only one bus per day from Omaha to Des Moines. It leaves the station in Omaha at 9:05pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

Earliest bus

6:00pm

Latest bus

9:05pm

Friday is the busiest travel day for buses as people head from Omaha to Des Moines for the weekend. If you are planning to travel on a Friday, 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.

Most crowded

Friday

Least crowded

Wednesday

City Information

Omaha

Once known as the “Gateway to the West,” Omaha effortlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern growth. To catch an air of the city’s old-town vibe, head towards the Old Market quarter. Featuring brick-paved streets along with horse-drawn carriages, the area is an idyllic time capsule that offers a glimpse into the past. Also situated within the quarter are the Joslyn Art Museum and the Omaha Children’s Museum. Animal lovers might want to check out Omaha’s Doorly Zoo or the Aquarium, which features cute Rockhopper penguins as well as a 70-foot shark tunnel.

Steakhouses dominate the city’s restaurant scene, but there has been a recent boom of modern eateries. If you wish to enjoy these modern foods, Kitchen Table will offer everything you need.

The busiest bus station in the city is the Burlington Trailways Terminal downtown. For trains, the main Amtrak station is located on S 9th St, not too far from the bus station. Omaha is served by Amtrak’s California Zephyr line. The city’s principal airport is the Eppley Airfield, located 3 miles northeast of downtown.

Des Moines

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 Omaha?

Main departure station: Burlington Trailways Terminal

The Burlington Trailways Station on Jackson St, located in east Omaha, provides bus services for several bus carriers: Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Express Arrow, and Burlington Trailways. The station features an indoor waiting area, as well as vending machines and restrooms. The Burlington Trailways station is only a short walk from several cafes and restaurants if you feel like grabbing something more substantial to get you through your bus journey.

All bus stations in Omaha:

Burlington Trailways Terminal
Tobin Used Musical Instrument Store

Where does the bus arrive in Des Moines?

Main arrival station: Des Moines

These are the two stations where buses may stop when they arrive in Des Moines.

All bus stations in Des Moines:

Des Moines
Diversity Insurance Inc

Need a return trip from Des Moines to Omaha?

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