There are 5 ways to get from Columbia to Ames by bus (Greyhound), car, plane, shuttle, or taxi
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus via Columbia
best- Take the bus from Columbia to Kansas City Bus Stationbus Greyhound US1200 / ...
- Take the bus from Kansas City to Amesbus Jefferson Lines 804 / ...
7h 18m$102–154Drive 257.8 mi
cheapest- Drive from Columbia to Amescar 257.8 mi
5h 14m$47–68Fly to Des Moines, shuttle
- Fly from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) to Des Moines (DSM)plane COU - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
5h 42m$245–906Bus
- Take the bus from Columbia to Kansas City Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0175s
- Take the bus from Kansas City to Amesbus Jefferson Lines 804 / ...
8h 5m$74–121Fly to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi
- Fly from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane COU - FOD
- Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi
6h 44m$265–616
Columbia to Ames by bus
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Columbia to Ames is to drive which costs $45 - $70 and takes 5h 14m.
The fastest way to get from Columbia to Ames is to drive which takes 5h 14m and costs $45 - $70.
No, there is no direct bus from Columbia to Ames. However, there are services departing from Columbia and arriving at Ames via Kansas City. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 7h 18m.
The distance between Columbia and Ames is 354 miles. The road distance is 259.3 miles.
The best way to get from Columbia to Ames without a car is to bus via Columbia which takes 7h 18m and costs $100 - $160.
It takes approximately 7h 18m to get from Columbia to Ames, including transfers.
Columbia to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, depart from Columbia station.
Columbia to Ames bus services, operated by Greyhound USA, arrive at Kansas City Bus Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Columbia to Ames is 259 miles. It takes approximately 5h 14m to drive from Columbia to Ames.
There are 45+ hotels available in Ames.
What companies run services between Columbia, MO, USA and Ames, IA, USA?
You can take a vehicle from Columbia to Ames via Columbia, Kansas City Bus Station, and Kansas City in around 7h 18m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Des Moines via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 39m
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $210–950
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 31m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–650
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Des Moines via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Des Moines via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–650
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Des Moines via Denver
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 19m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180–850
Flights from Columbia Regional Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 3m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $70–370
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Columbia to Kansas City Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 50m
- Frequency
- Every 4 hours
- Estimated price
- $18–35
- Website
- Greyhound
Bus from Columbia to Kansas City Bus Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $19–40
- Website
- Greyhound
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Kansas City to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $55–85
Bus from Kansas City to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 20m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $55–85
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $55–85
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- Executive Express
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- Executive Express
- Schedules at
- Executive Express Coverage Areas for Minnesota and Iowa
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Estimated price
- $140–180
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide