Rome2Rio

How to get fromDes Moines to Apostle Islandsby bus, car, car ferry, plane, or shuttle

Find Transport to Apostle Islands

See all options

There are 10 ways to get from Des Moines to Apostle Islands by bus, car, car ferry, plane, or shuttle

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Bus, drive, car ferry

    best
    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to Duluthbus bus
    3. Drive from Duluth to Bayfield, WIcar car
    4. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    11h 17m
    $130–181

  2. Drive  450.1 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Des Moines to La Pointecar car 450.1 mi
    8h 30m
    $83–119

  3. Drive, car ferry

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Bayfield, WIcar car
    2. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    8h 38m
    $92–128

  4. Fly to Duluth International Airport, shuttle, drive, car ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Duluth International Airport (DLH)plane plane DSM - DLH
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Duluth International Airport to Castle Dangershuttle bus
    3. Drive from Castle Danger to Bayfield, WIcar car
    4. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    9h 4m

  5. Bus, drive, car ferry via Minneapolis

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Minneapolis Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Minneapolis to Duluthbus bus
    3. Drive from Duluth to Bayfield, WIcar car
    4. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    12h 22m
    $110–160

  6. Bus, drive, car ferry via Ironwood

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to Duluthbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Duluth to Ironwoodbus bus
    4. Drive from Ironwood to Bayfield, WIcar car
    5. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    14h 4m
    $145–216

  7. Fly to Range Regional Airport, bus, drive, car ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Range Regional Airport (HIB)plane plane DSM - HIB
    2. Take the bus from Hibbing to Duluthbus bus
    3. Drive from Duluth to Bayfield, WIcar car
    4. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    9h 35m
    $171–622

  8. Fly to Rhinelander, drive

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Rhinelander (RHI)plane plane DSM - RHI
    2. Drive from Rhinelander (RHI) to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcar car
    6h 52m
    $125–613

  9. Fly to Gogebic–Iron County Airport, drive

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Gogebic–Iron County Airport (IWD)plane plane DSM - IWD
    2. Drive from Gogebic–Iron County Airport (IWD) to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcar car
    6h 41m
    $111–592

  10. Fly to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, bus, shuttle, drive, car ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)plane plane DSM - MSP
    2. Take the bus from Landline - MSP Terminal-1 Lindbergh to Landline - Duluth Int'l Airportbus bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Duluth International Airport to Castle Dangershuttle bus
    4. Drive from Castle Danger to Bayfield, WIcar car
    5. Take the carferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    11h 9m

Des Moines (DSM) to Duluth International Airport (DLH) flights

Calendar49Weekly Planes
Duration4h 48mAverage Duration
Ticket$79Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Apostle Islands.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 487.6 mi
  • Duration: 11h 17m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Apostle Islands, WI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Des Moines to Apostle Islands. However, you can take the bus to St. Paul, take the bus to Duluth, drive to Bayfield, WI, then take the car ferry to Madeline Island Ferry Terminal. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Des Moines to Madeline Island Ferry Terminal via Bayfield, WI in around 8h 38m.

Airlines
Bus operators
Ferry operators

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

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound