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How to get fromSan Jose to Amesby plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), subway, train, bus, car, or taxi

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There are 9 ways to get from San Jose to Ames by plane, shuttle, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), subway, train, 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.

  1. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SJC - DSM
    2. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    7h 45m
    $282–1,092

  2. Fly Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD)plane plane SJC - FOD
    2. Take the taxi from Fort Dodge Municipal Airport (FOD) to Amestaxi taxi
    11h 57m
    $262–732

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Oaklandbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Oakland to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Denver Union Stationbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    45h 5m
    $341–640

  4. BART, train, bus

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Richmondsubway subway
    2. Take the train from Richmond to Denvertrain train
    3. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    2d 2h
    $578–1,149

  5. Drive 1,852 mi

    1. Drive from San Jose to Amescar car 1,852 mi
    28h 36m
    $338–489

  6. BART to Oakland International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Coliseumsubway subway
    2. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane OAK - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    8h 21m
    $309–1,152

  7. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Des Moines (DSM)plane plane SFO - DSM
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    8h 41m
    $286–860

  8. BART, train, bus via Omaha

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Richmondsubway subway
    2. Take the train from Richmond to Denvertrain train
    3. Take the bus from Denver to Omaha, NEbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Omaha, NE to Des Moinesbus bus
    5. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    2d 3h
    $639–1,164

  9. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Take the train from Los Angeles to Kansas Citytrain train
    3. Take the bus from Kansas City to Des Moinesbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Des Moines to Amesbus bus
    2d 4h
    $746–1,576

Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar42Weekly Planes
Duration5h 59mAverage Duration
Ticket$209Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Jose to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,571.6 mi
  • Duration: 7h 45m

What companies run services between San Jose, CA, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

You can take a bus from San Jose Diridon Station to Ames via Oakland, Sparks Transit Center, Denver Union Station, and Des Moines in around 45h 5m.

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