There are 7 ways to get from Palatine to Ames by train, plane, shuttle, bus, 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.
Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle
best- Take the train from Palatine to Irving Parktrain
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM)plane ORD - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
4h 46m$161–680Drive 307.6 mi
cheapest- Drive from Palatine to Amescar 307.6 mi
6h 1m$57–82Train, bus
- Take the train from Palatine to Chicago OTCtrain
- Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus
10h 18m$77–136Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane ORD - FOD
- Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi
4h 59m$191–490Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle
- Take the train from Palatine to Chicago OTCtrain
- Fly from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)plane MDW - DSM
- Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
5h 31m$187–851Fly Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City, bus
- Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)plane ORD - MCW
- Take the bus from Mason City to Amesbus
6h 15m$81–345Train, bus via Galesburg
- Take the train from Palatine to Chicago OTCtrain
- Take the train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Stationtrain
- Take the bus from Galesburg to Des Moinesbus
- Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus
12h 13m$107–211
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Palatine to Ames is to drive which costs $55 - $85 and takes 6h 1m.
The fastest way to get from Palatine to Ames is to train and fly and shuttle which takes 4h 46m and costs $160 - $700.
The distance between Palatine and Ames is 371 miles. The road distance is 309.4 miles.
The best way to get from Palatine to Ames without a car is to train and bus which takes 10h 18m and costs $75 - $140.
It takes approximately 4h 46m to get from Palatine to Ames, including transfers.
Yes, the driving distance between Palatine to Ames is 309 miles. It takes approximately 6h 1m to drive from Palatine to Ames.
There are 45+ hotels available in Ames.
What companies run services between Palatine, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?
There is no direct connection from Palatine to Ames. However, you can take the train to Irving Park, walk to Irving Park-Blue, 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 Palatine to Ames via Chicago OTC, Madison & Canal, Harrison & Jefferson, Chicago Bus Station, and Des Moines in around 10h 18m.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 30m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–480
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 34m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–300
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Mason City
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 36m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $45–290
- Website
- southwest.com
Flights from Chicago Midway International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $100–650
- Website
- aa.com
Flights from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $75–480
- Phone
- +1 312-696-3872
- Website
- metra.com
Train from Palatine to Irving Park
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–6
- Website
- https://metra.com
- Adult
- $4–6
Train from Palatine to Chicago OTC
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–6
- Website
- https://metra.com
- Adult
- $4–6
Train from Palatine to Chicago OTC
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–6
- Website
- https://metra.com
- Adult
- $4–6
Train from Palatine to Chicago OTC
- Ave. Duration
- 58 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $4–6
- Website
- https://metra.com
- Adult
- $4–6
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Chicago Union Station to Galesburg Amtrak Station
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 36m
- Frequency
- 4 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–110
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Phone
- +1 320.253.2226
- Website
- executiveexpress.biz
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
Shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State University
- Ave. Duration
- 45 min
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $80–190
- Website
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz
- Schedules at
- https://www.executiveexpress.biz/coverage-areas/
Rome2Rio's guide to Greyhound USA
Contact DetailsContact Details
- Phone
- +1 214-849-8100
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com
Bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $50–100
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
Bus from Galesburg to Des Moines
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 55m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–65
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com/
- Phone
- +1-858-800-8898
- Website
- jeffersonlines.com
Bus from Des Moines to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
Bus from Mason City to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $30–45
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $30–45
Bus from Des Moines to Ames
- Ave. Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $19–27
- Book at
- https://www.jeffersonlines.com
- Adult
- $19–27
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 19m
- Estimated price
- $140–180
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
Travelling to the US: What do I need to know?
Read the travel guide
Need to know: Greyhound
Read the travel guide
Why you should take the train in the US
Read the travel guide













