Rome2Rio

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

Find Transport to Ottawa

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Iowa to Ottawa by plane, bus, train, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), or car

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)planeDSM - YOW
    5h 37m
    $218–1,032

  2. Fly from Quad City International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)planeMLI - YOW
    9h 22m
    $107–557

  3. Bus, train via Detroit

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Burlingtonbus
    2. Take the bus from Burlington to Galesburgbus
    3. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
    4. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Detroittrain
    5. Take the train from Windsor to Toronto Union Stationtrain
    6. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain
    26h 28m
    $292–763

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Detroit Bus Stationbus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus
    28h 40m
    $217–510

  5. Drive 1,714.1 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Ottawacar1,714.1 km
    18h 43m
    $334–482

  6. Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport

    1. Fly from Waterloo Municipal Airport (ALO) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)planeALO - YOW
    5h 55m
    $140–634

  7. Fly from The Eastern Iowa Airport

    1. Fly from The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)planeCID - YOW
    8h 20m
    $134–659

  8. Bus via 7Th St / Locust St, Dsm

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Detroit Bus Stationbus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus
    28h 53m
    $232–503

  9. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Buffalo Depew Stationtrain
    3. Take the train from Buffalo to Toronto Union Stationtrain
    4. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain
    29h 50m
    $282–750

  10. Bus, train #2

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicagobus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Buffalo Depew Stationtrain
    3. Take the train from Buffalo to Toronto Union Stationtrain
    4. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain
    30h 3m
    $297–743

Iowa to Ottawa by bus, train, and car

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration26h 28mAverage Duration
Ticket$292Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

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

United Airlines, American Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) 3 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Ottawa via Chicago Bus Station and Detroit Bus Station in around 28h 40m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Canada

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

Where to next?

Trips from Iowa

Trips to Ottawa

Popular routes