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

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There are 9 ways to get from Grand Rapids to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus, 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. Fly Gerald R. Ford International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane GRR - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    7h 47m
    $204–944

  2. Drive 494.3 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Grand Rapids to Amescar car 494.3 mi
    8h 59m
    $91–131

  3. Bus, shuttle

    1. Take the bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    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
    13h 19m
    $206–388

  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to St. Paul-Minneapolistrain train
    3. Take the bus from St. Paul to Amesbus bus
    17h 49m
    $214–441

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

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    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
    8h 52m
    $196–741

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

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station 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
    8h 35m
    $224–904

  7. Taxi to Muskegon, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the taxi from Grand Rapids to Muskegon (MKG)taxi taxi
    2. Fly from Muskegon (MKG) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane MKG - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    6h 50m
    $237–747

  8. Bus, bus to Detroit, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the bus from Greyhound Grand Rapids to CATA Intermodal Downtownbus bus
    2. Take the bus from East Lansing, MI to Detroit Metro Airportbus bus
    3. Fly from Detroit (DTW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane DTW - DSM
    4. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    8h 24m
    $223–1,006

  9. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    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
    9h 5m
    $236–581

Grand Rapids to Ames by train and bus

Calendar4Weekly Services
Duration17h 49mAverage Duration
Ticket$214Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Grand Rapids to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 479.6 mi
  • Duration: 7h 47m

What companies run services between Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

There is no direct connection from Grand Rapids to Ames. However, you can take the line 6 bus to Kentwood Station - Woodland, take the line 27 bus to Gerald R Ford Airport, walk to Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) 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 bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Ames, IA - Iowa State University via Chicago Union Station, Chicago Bus Station, Des Moines, and Des Moines International Airport, IA in around 13h 19m.

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