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How to get fromDes Moines to Ottawaby plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus), bus, train, car, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines to Ottawa by plane, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus), bus, train, car, or bus (Greyhound, Flixbus)

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 Des Moines to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane DSM - YOW
    5h 51m
    $152–687

  2. Drive to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, fly to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Des Moines to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)car car
    2. Fly from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)plane plane FOD - YOW
    9h 56m
    $147–687

  3. Bus via Chicago

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Union Station to Detroitbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    29h 37m

  4. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Buffalo Depew Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Buffalo to Toronto Union Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain train
    30h 9m
    $643–1,344

  5. Drive  1,707.5 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Ottawacar car 1,707.5 km
    18h 36m
    $309–445

  6. Fly Des Moines to Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, train

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)plane plane DSM - YUL
    2. Take the train from Dorval to Ottawatrain train
    7h 29m
    $186–926

  7. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Indianapolis to Detroitbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    29h 50m
    $264–456

  8. Bus, train via Galesburg

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus bus
    2. Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    3. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Buffalo Depew Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Buffalo to Toronto Union Stationtrain train
    5. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Ottawatrain train
    31h 1m
    $723–1,488

Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) flights

Calendar38Weekly Planes
Duration6h 11mAverage Duration
Ticket$124Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Ottawa.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,531.9 km
  • Duration: 5h 51m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Ottawa, ON, Canada?

United Airlines, American Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) 5 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Gladstone / Bank via Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, Detroit, Cass & Milwaukee, Jefferson & Shelby, Detroit Bus Station, Ottawa, and St-Laurent D in around 29h 37m.

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Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around Canada

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