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

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

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 to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane DSM - SJC
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    7h 20m
    $244–945

  2. Fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DSM - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    8h 6m
    $193–557

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Oaklandbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Oakland to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    45h 47m
    $310–588

  4. Bus, train via Denver

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Omaha, NEbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Omaha, NE to Denverbus bus
    3. Take the train from Denver to Emeryvilletrain train
    4. Take the bus from Emeryville to San Josebus bus
    5. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Ocean & Waterbus bus 17
    2d 3h
    $611–1,152

  5. Drive 1,854 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to Santa Cruzcar car 1,854 mi
    28h 27m
    $339–489

  6. Fly to Oakland International Airport, BART, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane DSM - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    7h 58m
    $258–1,003

  7. Fly to Stockton Metropolitan Airport, train, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK)plane plane DSM - SCK
    2. Take the train from Lathrop/Manteca Station to San Jose Station Diridontrain train
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    13h 3m
    $264–981

  8. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas City Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the train from Kansas City to Los Angelestrain train
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Josetrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    2d 4h
    $719–1,550

Des Moines to Santa Cruz by bus

Calendar14Weekly Buses
Duration45h 47mAverage Duration
Ticket$310Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,573.3 mi
  • Duration: 7h 20m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Des Moines to Soquel Ave & Front via Denver Union Station, Sparks Transit Center, Oakland, San Jose Diridon Station, and Diridon Station in around 45h 47m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

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