Traveling by Bus to Des Moines

As the capital city of Iowa, Des Moines is a mix of political history, growing arts and culture, and a vibrant downtown scene, making it a popular travel destination! You get locally-owned restaurants, farmers markets, public art, and an exciting nightlife, all in a clean, safe, and very walkable city. Ready to explore the annual Iowa State Fair and the charm of the state’s largest city? Explore how to get on a bus to Des Moines, what to do, where to shop, and where to stay with our Des Moines city guide!

How to Get There: Bus to Des Moines

Planning to travel by bus to Des Moines? We got you covered. Megabus offers affordable bus tickets with reliable transportation to ensure you enjoy your journey comfortably and securely. Visit our bus stop page and learn all about our schedules, booking times, and starting points.

Megabus Popular Bus to Des Moines Routes

Learn more about Megabus’ top routes.

Arriving in Des Moines: Know the Area

After traveling by bus to Des Moines, you’ll arrive at the Des Moines Bus Depot on 1641 E. Euclid Ave. This is the main intercity bus terminal in Des Moines. What makes this bus station special is that it’s located in Highland Park (north-central area,) which is a residential area rather than the touristic downtown. You get to see everyday life happening as soon as you arrive!

Des Moines Bus Depot is a proper bus station rather than a curb-side bus stop, which means you can expect standard amenities from the station. Several transit lines, like DART bus lines 50 and 16, are nearby, and you can travel throughout the city right from the station.

Since the Des Moines Bus Depot is not close to any tourist attractions and landmarks, choosing your accommodation close to the bus station could cause some issues. Just ensure you keep traffic in mind when travelling to downtown and visiting the city’s attractions.

Tips for when you arrive:

Plan your next steps ahead: the station is not in the main tourist area, so know your hotel address and plan how to get there before arriving by bus to Des Moines.
Use local transit and hop on a DART bus to reach downtown without needing a taxi.
Consider hailing a taxi or using ridesharing apps if you’re traveling with kids or carrying luggage.

Transportation Options in Des Moines

Fixed-route DART buses are the backbone of public transport in Des Moines. They run about 19 local routes across Des Moines and the surrounding areas. If you’re traveling between suburbs and downtown, especially during rush hours, DART offers Express Route buses that skip many stops and use freeways.

In areas that are not covered by the fixed routes, DART offers On-Call or Flex Connect services. These are shared-ride or demand-based options for when you’re outside the main grid or traveling off-peak!

Another cool factor about DART? They offer Paratransit (Bus Plus) for travelers with mobility limitations. These services are door-to-door, wheelchair-accessible rides.

And of course, you can always use taxis and ridesharing apps to get around the city if there are no available buses or you prefer not to use them.

Megabus Recommendation: What to Do in Des Moines

Arriving by bus to Des Moines is one thing, but exploring the city is on another level! There’s so much to do in Des Moines. Here are our top picks for you:

Check out the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Visit Pappajohn Sculpture Park
See the Blank Park Zoo
Go to the State Historical Museum of Iowa
Explore the Science Center of Iowa

Des Moines is a green city with lots of outdoor attractions like the botanical garden. It’s a city you can explore on your own or with friends, just shopping, visiting museums, and enjoying the downtown nightlife, but it’s also family-friendly, with attractions like the Blank Park Zoo!

Where to Stay

You have lots of accommodation options when you travel by bus to Des Moines. Here are our top picks for luxurious, mid-range, and affordable hotels:

If you are looking for a luxurious stay, Hotel Fort Des Moines and Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown are excellent picks for a refined, full-service hotel in downtown.

For a mid-range price choice, go for the Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines Downtown or Surety Hotel. Both are solid choices, balancing quality and price, with practical amenities and a central location.

There are also affordable options with high-quality rooms, like the Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University. Both are budget-friendly, clean, and in good locations.

Where to Shop

Best part of any trip is shopping, and visiting Des Moines is no exception! Downtown Des Moines offers a good variety of shops and restaurants.

The East Village is a go-to place for a day of shopping and enjoying quality food. It offers a wide range of shops, boutiques, and restaurants to choose from. The Valley Junction is the place for craft fairs, unusual finds, antique stores, and good lunch spots. You can also explore the Valley West Mall for retail and luxury stores.

Nightlife in Des Moines

Des Moines offers a lively nightlife, with plenty of options for clubs, restaurants, and bars in the Court District and East Village.

If you’re looking for a nightclub, Lime Lounge and the Garden are great options. Cooper’s On 5th and High Life Lounge are popular local pub and dive choices. If you enjoy live music, Lefty’s Live Music is the music venue to go to.

Best Free Things to Do in Des Moines

Traveling by bus to Des Moines is an affordable trip, and Des Moines offers free activities to keep you on your budget while still enjoying your trip. Here are the top free places to visit in Des Moines:

Iowa State Capitol
Des Moines Art Center
State Historical Museum of Iowa
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Iowa Hall of Pride

Ready to hop on a bus to Des Moines and explore the capital city of Iowa? Book your ticket with Megabus today and enjoy your trip without worrying about the journey!