Rome2Rio

How to get fromOttawa to Des Moinesby plane, bus (Flixbus, Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, or bus (Flixbus, Greyhound)

Find Transport to Des Moines

See all options
QR code to download the Rome2Rio app

Download the Rome2Rio travel app

Scan QR code with your phone to download the app

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

There are 8 ways to get from Ottawa to Des Moines by plane, bus (Flixbus, Amtrak, Greyhound), train, bus, car, 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 Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Des Moines

    best
    1. Fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane YOW - DSM
    7h 42m
    $111–486
  2. Fly Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, drive

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane YOW - FOD
    2. Drive from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Des Moinescar car
    11h 2m
    $108–496
  3. Bus via Chicago

    1. Take the bus from Ottawa to Detroit Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Detroit to Chicago Union Stationbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    27h 32m
  4. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Ottawa to Toronto Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Buffalotrain train
    3. Take the train from Buffalo Depew Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    30h 8m
    $453–948
  5. Drive  1,061.7 mi

    1. Drive from Ottawa to Des Moinescar car 1,061.7 mi
    18h 37m
    $219–316
  6. Train to Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, fly to Des Moines

    1. Take the train from Ottawa to Dorvaltrain train
    2. Fly from Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane YUL - DSM
    8h 43m
    $131–767
  7. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Ottawa to Detroit Bus Stationbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Detroit to Indianapolisbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Indianapolis Union Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    29h 45m
    $191–323
  8. Train, bus via Galesburg

    1. Take the train from Ottawa to Toronto Union Stationtrain train
    2. Take the train from Toronto Union Station to Buffalotrain train
    3. Take the train from Buffalo Depew Station to Chicago Union Stationtrain train
    4. Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain train
    5. Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus bus
    30h 46m
    $513–1,038

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar28Weekly Planes
Duration7h 16mAverage Duration
Ticket$91Cheapest Price
See schedules

Comparing Your Travel Options

What companies run services between Ottawa, ON, Canada and Des Moines, IA, USA?

United Airlines and Air Canada fly from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW) to Des Moines (DSM) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Ottawa to Des Moines via Detroit Bus Station, Jefferson & Shelby, Cass & Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago Union Station, and Chicago Bus Station in around 27h 32m.

Airlines
Train operators
Bus operators

Want to know more about travelling around United States

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

Related travel guides

Need to know: Greyhound

Read the travel guideNeed to know: Greyhound

Booking & Getting There