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How to get fromIowa to Ottawaby plane, bus, train, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus), car, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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There are 9 ways to get from Iowa to Ottawa by plane, bus, train, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus), car, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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 from Des Moines

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane DSM - YOW
    5h 45m
    $188–833

  2. Fly from Quad City International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane MLI - YOW
    8h 21m
    $117–607

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Syracuse Regional Transportation Centertrain train
    3. Take the bus from Syracuse Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    26h 41m
    $376–808

  4. Bus via Chicago

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Detroitbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    27h 53m
    $297–484

  5. Drive 1,707.5 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Ottawacar car 1,707.5 km
    18h 58m
    $335–484

  6. Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane ALO - YOW
    6h 24m
    $151–636

  7. Bus, train via Galesburg

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Syracuse Regional Transportation Centertrain train
    4. Take the bus from Syracuse Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    27h 33m
    $412–894

  8. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Indianapolis, IN to Detroit, MIbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    29h 15m
    $237–459

  9. Bus, train via Toronto

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Buffalo Depew Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Buffalo to Toronto Union Stationtrain train
    5. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain train
    30h 56m
    $467–1,254

Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) flights

Calendar46Weekly Planes
Duration6h 28mAverage Duration
Ticket$164Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Iowa to Ottawa.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,531.7 km
  • Duration: 5h 45m

What companies run services between Iowa, USA and Ottawa, ON, Canada?

United Airlines, American Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Des Moines to Ottawa via Des Moines, Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, Detroit, Baltimore St - Southbound, Congress St, and Detroit Bus Station in around 27h 53m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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