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How to get fromDes Moines to Madeline Islandby bus, car ferry, car, or plane

Find Transport to Madeline Island

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There are 7 ways to get from Des Moines to Madeline Island by bus, car ferry, car, or plane

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, car ferry

    best
    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to St. Paulbus bus
    2. Take the bus from St. Paul to Duluthbus bus Moa
    3. Take the bus from Duluth Transportation Center East to Ashlandbus bus
    4. Take the car ferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    12h 24m
    $193–268

  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 car ferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    8h 38m
    $92–128

  4. Fly to Duluth International Airport, bus, car ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Duluth International Airport (DLH)plane plane DSM - DLH
    2. Take the bus from Duluth Transportation Center East to Ashlandbus bus
    3. Take the car ferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    9h 22m
    $187–632

  5. Fly to Range Regional Airport, bus, 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. Take the bus from Duluth Transportation Center East to Ashlandbus bus
    4. Take the car ferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    10h 29m
    $233–706

  6. Fly to Gogebic–Iron County Airport, bus, car ferry

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Gogebic–Iron County Airport (IWD)plane plane DSM - IWD
    2. Take the bus from Hurley, WI to Ashlandbus bus
    3. Take the car ferry from Bayfield, WI to Madeline Island Ferry Terminalcarferry car ferry
    7h 48m
    $181–494

  7. Fly to Rhinelander, drive

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Rhinelander (RHI)plane plane DSM - RHI
    2. Drive from Rhinelander (RHI) to Madeline Islandcar car
    7h 6m
    $130–561

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

Calendar42Weekly Planes
Duration4h 35mAverage Duration
Ticket$81Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Madeline Island.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 498.8 mi
  • Duration: 12h 24m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Madeline Island, WI, USA?

There is no direct connection from Des Moines to Madeline Island. However, you can take the bus to St. Paul, take the bus to Duluth, take the bus to Ashland, take the taxi 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

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