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

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There are 9 ways to get from Des Moines to Ottawa by plane, bus, train, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak, Flixbus), 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 34m
    $229–984

  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
    7h 47m
    $157–688

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Syracuse Regional Transportation Centertrain train
    3. Take the bus from Syracuse Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    26h 17m
    $414–858

  4. 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
    28h 26m
    $316–521

  5. Drive 1,714.1 km

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Ottawacar car 1,714.1 km
    18h 50m
    $340–492

  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 41m
    $264–1,224

  7. 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 Syracuse Regional Transportation Centertrain train
    4. Take the bus from Syracuse Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    27h 28m
    $456–955

  8. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Indianapolis Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Indianapolis, IN to Detroit, MIbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Detroit Bus Station to Ottawabus bus
    30h
    $248–471

  9. Bus, train via Toronto

    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
    30h 51m
    $496–1,285

Des Moines to Ottawa by bus, foot, and train

Calendar5Weekly Services
Duration26h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$414Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Ottawa.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,531.9 km
  • Duration: 5h 34m

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

United Airlines, American Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Ottawa via Chicago Bus Station, Chicago Union Station, Detroit, Woodward & Baltimore, Larned & Griswold, and Detroit Bus Station in around 28h 26m.

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