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How to get fromElgin to Amesby bus, plane, shuttle, train, car, or taxi

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There are 6 ways to get from Elgin to Ames by bus, plane, shuttle, train, car, or taxi

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 to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Take the bus from Elgin Transportation Center - Bus Stop D to Rosemont CTA Station - Bus Stop Dbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane ORD - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    4h 24m
    $125–479

  2. Drive  292.7 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Elgin to Amescar car 292.7 mi
    5h 42m
    $54–78

  3. Train, bus, shuttle

    1. Take the train from Elgin to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    10h 29m
    $161–312

  4. Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Take the bus from Elgin Transportation Center - Bus Stop D to Rosemont CTA Station - Bus Stop Dbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane ORD - FOD
    3. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    4h 40m
    $185–479

  5. Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the train from Elgin to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MDW - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    5h 52m
    $143–592

  6. Bus to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Mason City, bus

    1. Take the bus from Elgin Transportation Center - Bus Stop D to Rosemont CTA Station - Bus Stop Dbus bus
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)plane plane ORD - MCW
    3. Take the bus from Mason City to Amesbus bus
    5h 57m
    $75–334

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar70Weekly Planes
Duration1h 29mAverage Duration
Ticket$42Cheapest Price
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Comparing Your Travel Options

Map of how to get from Elgin to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 367 mi
  • Duration: 4h 24m

What companies run services between Elgin, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

There is no direct connection from Elgin to Ames. However, you can take the bus to Rosemont CTA Station - Bus Stop D, walk to Rosemont, take the subway to O'Hare, walk to Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) airport, fly to Des Moines (DSM), walk to Des Moines International Airport, IA, then take the shuttle to Ames, IA - Iowa State University. Alternatively, you can take a train from Elgin to Ames, IA - Iowa State University via Chicago Union Station, Chicago Bus Station, Des Moines, and Des Moines International Airport, IA in around 10h 29m.

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