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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)planeDSM - MSN
    4h 31m
    $170–973

  2. Bus, shuttle

    cheapest
    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Owatonnabus
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Owatonna, MN to Rochester Sinclairshuttle
    3. Take the bus from Rochester to Madisonbus
    10h 46m
    $43–220

  3. Drive 274.9 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Madisoncar274.9 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)planeDSM - MKE
    2. Take the bus from Mitchell Airport to Madison, WI-Lake St.bus
    6h 51m
    $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)planeDSM - ORD
    2. Take the bus from Multi-Modal/Rental Car Facility to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW Campusbus
    5h 51m
    $153–526

  6. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to ChicagobusOmaha
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to MadisonbusFlixBus 2548 / ...
    11h
    $96–198

  7. Bus, train

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

  8. Bus via Des Moines

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to ChicagobusDes Moines
    2. Take the bus from W Jackson Blvd, after S Clinton St to 250 N. Lake St - Madison UW CampusbusVan 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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