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Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Iowa City to Indianapolis. Traveling by bus from Iowa City to Indianapolis usually takes around 11 hours and 16 minutes, but the fastest Burlington Trailways bus can make the trip in 7 hours and 50 minutes.
| Distance | 310 mi (499 km) |
| Shortest duration | 7h 50m |
| Cheapest price | $100.00 |
| Most frequent service | Burlington Trailways |
| Bus lines | 1 |
How much is a bus ticket from Iowa City to Indianapolis?
Bus tickets for a trip from Iowa City to Indianapolis cost $131.50 on average. Bus tickets on this route can be a bit expensive due to the length of the trip. But even with a higher price tag, taking the bus is often more affordable than flying to Indianapolis. 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 Iowa City to Indianapolis?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from Iowa City to Indianapolis. 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 | 11h 16m | $140.28 |
Book Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Indianapolis from $100. There are 2 trips per day offered by Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Indianapolis and you can expect on average to pay for a Burlington Trailways ticket to Indianapolis. In Iowa City, Burlington Trailways departs to Indianapolis from Burlington Trailways Station - 170 E Court St . In Indianapolis, Burlington Trailways arrives at 350 S Illinois St .
An average trip on Burlington Trailways from Iowa City to Indianapolis takes 11 hours and 16 minutes , while the fastest available Burlington Trailways trip will get you to Indianapolis in 7 hours and 50 minutes .
On weekends, Burlington Trailways offers 2 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Indianapolis.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bus takes an average of 11 hours and 16 minutes to cover the 310 miles from Iowa City to Indianapolis. However, the fastest bus only takes 7 hours and 50 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.
Because many passengers travel from Iowa City to Indianapolis at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, 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 1:00am and the last bus leaves at 9:00am. To see the times for all buses from Iowa City to Indianapolis, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
City Information
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.
Indianapolis
Indianapolis, or often referred to as just Indy, is the capital and largest city in the state of Indiana. While the city attracts thousands of visitors from the area every month, it is during Memorial Day weekend that Indianapolis becomes the place to be for over 300,000 race car fans from all over the globe. The reason for that is the Indianapolis 500, an annual automobile race and the world’s largest single day sporting event, taking place at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
If you’re not in Indianapolis for Memorial Day weekend, you can learn about the race and see a rare collection of 500 Indy race vehicles and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. And while you’re on a history streak, stop by at one of the many war memorials found throughout the city, like the Soldiers and Sailors monument, the World War II memorial, and the Indiana War Memorial where you must check out the Shrine Room for a stunning one-of-a-kind experience.
Over the past few years, Indianapolis has also been cultivating a vibrant restaurant scene, offering classic American dishes made with ingredients from local farmers, and a growing selection of international cuisine. If you’re a beer fan, you will be happy to know that Indianapolis has some of the highest quality breweries in the U.S.
Located in the heart of America’s Midwest, Indianapolis offers easy connections by bus and train to other Midwestern hubs like Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, while the conveniently located airport connects Indy with the rest of the world.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Iowa City?
Main departure 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
Where does the bus arrive in Indianapolis?
Image credit: Panoramio upload bot
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: 350 S Illinois St
Union Station at 350 S Illinois St in Indianapolis is a major train and bus station which serves the Amtrak Cardinal, and bus carriers including Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, Miller Transportation, and Burlington Trailways. The modern station is located directly south of the historic 1888 Union Station, which now houses a hotel, several restaurants, and a wedding venue. Union Station is in the Wholesale District of downtown Indianapolis, within walking distance to eateries and hotels. There is even an underground, climate-controlled walkway from the station to the nearby Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, home to the Indianapolis Colts.
All bus stations in Indianapolis:
350 S Illinois St
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