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How to get fromDes Moines to Madisonby plane, bus, shuttle, car, bus (Flixbus) or train

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There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines to Madison by plane, bus, shuttle, car, bus (Flixbus), or train

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

  1. Fly to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN)plane plane DSM - MSN
    4h 31m
    $170–973

  2. Bus, shuttle

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Owatonnabus bus
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Owatonna, MN to Rochester Sinclairshuttle bus
    3. Take the bus from Rochester to Madisonbus bus
    10h 46m
    $43–219

  3. Drive 274.9 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Madisoncar car 274.9 mi
    5h 3m
    $51–73

  4. Fly to General Mitchell International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)plane plane DSM - MKE
    2. Take the bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    6h 49m
    $209–1,201

  5. Fly to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)plane plane DSM - ORD
    2. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus
    5h 51m
    $158–536

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus bus Omaha
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Madisonbus bus FlixBus 2548 / ...
    11h
    $96–198

  7. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Milwaukeetrain train
    3. Take the bus from Milwaukee, WI - Amtrak to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus bus
    11h 23m
    $97–248

  8. Bus via Des Moines

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus bus Des Moines
    2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus bus Van Galder
    12h
    $77–199

Des Moines to Madison by bus

Calendar7Weekly Buses
Duration11hAverage Duration
Ticket$96Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

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

United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Dane County Regional Airport-Truax Field (MSN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Madison via Chicago Bus Station in around 11h.

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