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How to get fromGrand Rapids to Amesby plane, shuttle, bus (Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, taxi, or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

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There are 11 ways to get from Grand Rapids to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, taxi, or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

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 45m
    $194–894

  2. Drive 494.3 mi

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

  3. Bus

    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 the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    13h 27m
    $135–219

  4. Train, bus via Galesburg

    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 Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    3. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    15h 19m
    $157–318

  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
    $215–791

  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
    $243–964

  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 52m
    $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 27m
    $223–956

  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
    $245–601

  10. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    13h 27m
    $127–243

  11. Bus via South Haven

    1. Take the bus from Greyhound Grand Rapids to South Haven Potatoes Plusbus bus
    2. Take the bus from South Haven to Chicago Bus Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    14h 10m
    $100–188

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar135Weekly Planes
Duration5h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket$118Cheapest 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 45m

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

You can take a bus from Grand Rapids Vernon J. Ehlers Station to Ames via Chicago Union Station, Chicago Bus Station, and Des Moines in around 13h 27m.

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