There are 6 ways to get from Iowa to Columbia by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), bus, train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly from Des Moines
best- Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Columbia (CAE)plane DSM - CAE
5h 45m$131–625Fly from Quad City International Airport
cheapest- Fly from Quad City International Airport (MLI) to Columbia (CAE)plane MLI - CAE
7h 52m$79–414Bus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus
- Take the bus from Kansas City Bus Station to St Louis Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from St Louis Bus Station to Atlanta Bus Stationbus
- Take the bus from Atlanta Bus Station to Camdenbus
- Take the bus from Camden to Columbia, SCbus Nyc
29h 34m$233–384Bus, train
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Chicago Bus Stationbus Greyhound US0123S / ...
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Columbia Stationtrain Floridian
37h 4m$368–845Drive 1,049.3 mi
- Drive from Des Moines to Columbiacar 1,049.3 mi
18h 51m$192–277Bus, train via Galesburg
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Galesburgbus
- Take the train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Columbia Stationtrain
38h 15m$388–910
Des Moines (DSM) to Columbia (CAE) flights
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Iowa to Columbia is to fly which costs $75 - $420 and takes 7h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Iowa to Columbia is to fly which takes 5h 45m and costs $130 - $650.
No, there is no direct bus from Iowa to Columbia. However, there are services departing from Des Moines and arriving at Sumter Laurel South via Kansas City Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, Atlanta Bus Station, Camden and Broad Marley South. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 29h 34m.
The distance between Iowa and Columbia is 881 miles. The road distance is 1055.4 miles.
The best way to get from Iowa to Columbia without a car is to bus which takes 29h 34m and costs $230 - $390.
It takes approximately 5h 45m to get from Iowa to Columbia, including transfers.
Iowa to Columbia bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, depart from Des Moines station.
The best way to get from Iowa to Columbia is to fly which takes 5h 45m and costs $130 - $650. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $230 - $390 and takes 29h 34m.
Iowa to Columbia bus services, operated by Jefferson Lines, arrive at Kansas City station.
Columbia is 1h ahead of Iowa. It is currently 4:33 AM in Iowa and 5:33 AM in Columbia.
What companies run services between Iowa, USA and Columbia, SC, USA?
Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Columbia (CAE) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to Sumter Laurel South via Kansas City, Kansas City Bus Station, St Louis Bus Station, Atlanta Bus Station, Camden, Columbia, SC, and Broad Marley South in around 29h 34m.
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Des Moines to Columbia via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–600
Flights from Des Moines to Columbia via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 7m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $160–750
Flights from Des Moines to Columbia via Reagan Washington
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $140–700
Flights from Des Moines to Columbia via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $110–600
Flights from Des Moines to Columbia via New York La Guardia
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $170–800
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Columbia via Chicago O'Hare
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 15m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–420
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Columbia via Charlotte
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 17m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–410
Flights from Quad City International Airport to Columbia via Dallas/Ft.Worth
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $120–600
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Columbia Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $310–750
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Galesburg Amtrak Station to Chicago Union Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 55m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $40–95
- Website
- Amtrak
Train from Chicago Union Station to Columbia Station
- Ave. Duration
- 28h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $310–750
- Website
- Amtrak
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Kansas City
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–75
- Book at
- Jefferson Lines
- Adult
- $50–75
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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Booking & Getting There
Yes, the driving distance between Iowa to Columbia is 1055 miles. It takes approximately 18h 51m to drive from Iowa to Columbia.
There are 438+ hotels available in Columbia.






