Trip to Des Moines

Find the perfect accommodation on booking.com

Great location and deals for every budget.

ItalianoEspañolFrançaisEnglishDeutschPolishPortuguese BRPortugueseEspañolJapaneseTurkishDutchUkrainianSwedishNorwegianDanishРусский
Avg. duration
Distance km
Avg. price$
Train trips found

Trains from Chicago to Des Moines

🚆 Embark on an exciting train journey from Chicago to Des Moines spanning 698 miles. The first route entails a single transfer, with a scenic bus ride to Minneapolis taking around 8 hours and 35 minutes, followed by a 5-hour bus journey to reach the vibrant city of Des Moines. 🌆 For a slightly longer but equally enriching adventure, consider the second route covering 719 miles with two transfers. Begin by boarding a bus to Madison from Chicago Union Station, followed by a journey to Minneapolis before finally reaching Des Moines after a total travel time of 16 hours and 50 minutes.

Where to stay in Des Moines

There are over 70 hotels to stay in Des Moines. Prices range from $50 per night.

Accomodation
  • There are two main companies that provide train routes from Chicago to Des Moines. The first route involves a transfer, starting with a bus from Greyhound from Chicago to Minneapolis, and then continuing on a bus from Jefferson Lines to Des Moines. The second route also requires two transfers, first with Van Galder Coach USA from Chicago to Madison, followed by a bus from Jefferson Lines from Madison to Minneapolis, and finally to Des Moines. Both routes take around 16-17 hours to reach Des Moines, covering distances of approximately 698-719 miles.
  • The fastest train route between Chicago and Des Moines is the first route, which takes approximately 16 hours and 25 minutes to reach Des Moines. This route involves only one transfer, with a bus from Greyhound departing from Chicago to Minneapolis, and then continuing on a bus with Jefferson Lines to Des Moines. The distance covered on this route is about 698 miles. It is a quicker option compared to the second route, which takes around 16 hours and 50 minutes with two transfers.
  • There are no direct trains between Chicago and Des Moines. Both routes provided involve bus transfers as part of the journey. The first route includes one bus transfer in Minneapolis, while the second route comprises two bus transfers in Madison and Minneapolis. The total travel time for each route is approximately 16-17 hours due to the bus segments.
  • As there are no direct trains from Chicago to Des Moines there are no specific first and last trains of the day for this route. The travel involves bus transfers, so the timing will depend on the bus schedules for each segment of the journey. It is recommended to check the Greyhound and Jefferson Lines websites or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on bus departure times from Chicago to Minneapolis and then from Minneapolis to Des Moines.
  • There are no direct train trips between Chicago and Des Moines. Both routes outlined for this journey involve bus transfers. Route 1 includes a bus transfer from Chicago to Minneapolis and then another bus from Minneapolis to Des Moines. Route 2 requires two bus transfers, from Chicago to Madison, then Madison to Minneapolis, and finally from Minneapolis to Des Moines. Travelers will need to take buses provided by Greyhound, Van Galder Coach USA, and Jefferson Lines for these routes.

Will you be returning to Chicago by train?

If you are looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Des Moines to Chicago

See schedule