Rome2Rio

How to get fromAmes to Madisonby shuttle, plane, bus, train, car, taxi, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or bus (Greyhound)

Find Transport to Madison

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Ames to Madison by shuttle, plane, bus, train, car, taxi, bus (Flixbus, Greyhound), or bus (Greyhound)

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane plane DSM - MSN
    5h 38m
    $194–892

  2. Drive 265.5 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Ames to Madisoncar car 265.5 mi
    4h 50m
    $49–70

  3. Bus via Burnsville

    1. Take the bus from Ames to Burnsvillebus bus Jefferson 802 / ...
    2. Take the bus from U of MN Campus to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus Minneapolis
    10h 36m
    $112–155

  4. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the train from St. Paul-Minneapolis to Milwaukeetrain train
    3. Take the bus from Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    13h 28m
    $164–305

  5. Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    1. Take the taxi from Ames to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)taxi taxi
    2. Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane plane FOD - MSN
    6h 3m
    $222–633

  6. Bus to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    1. Take the bus from Ames to MSP Airportbus bus
    2. Fly from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane plane MSP - MSN
    6h 43m
    $124–541

  7. Shuttle to Des Moines, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Ames, IA - Iowa State University to Des Moines International Airport, IAshuttle bus
    2. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane DSM - ORD
    3. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    7h 29m
    $156–655

  8. Taxi to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus

    1. Take the taxi from Ames to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)taxi taxi
    2. Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane FOD - ORD
    3. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    6h 45m
    $204–516

  9. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Ames to St. Paulbus bus Jefferson 802
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to UW-Madisonbus bus Minneapolis / ...
    11h 20m
    $94–172

  10. Bus #2

    1. Take the bus from Ames to Des Moinesbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    13h 35m
    $90–182

Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) flights

Calendar92Weekly Planes
Duration5h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$112Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Ames to Madison.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 293.7 mi
  • Duration: 5h 38m

What companies run services between Ames, IA, USA and Madison, WI, USA?

You can take a bus from Ames to Madison, WI-Lake St. via Burnsville, Burnsville Transit Station Bay D, Oak St SE at University Av SE SE corner, and U of MN Campus in around 10h 36m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators
Other operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

More Questions & Answers