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How to get fromWest Chicago to Amesby train, plane, shuttle, bus, car, or taxi

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There are 6 ways to get from West Chicago 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.

  1. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    best
    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain 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
    5h 49m
    $152–641

  2. Drive  292.2 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from West Chicago to Amescar car 292.2 mi
    5h 35m
    $54–77

  3. Train, bus, shuttle

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Take the bus from Chicago Bus Station to Des Moinesbus bus
    3. Take a shuttle bus from Des Moines International Airport, IA to Ames, IA - Iowa State Universityshuttle bus
    10h 20m
    $156–317

  4. Train to Chicago Midway International Airport, fly to Des Moines, shuttle

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain 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
    5h 41m
    $177–801

  5. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Fort Dodge Municipal Airport, taxi

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain 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
    6h 3m
    $192–481

  6. Train to Chicago O'Hare International Airport, fly to Mason City, bus

    1. Take the train from West Chicago to Chicago OTCtrain train
    2. Fly from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mason City (MCW)plane plane ORD - MCW
    3. Take the bus from Mason City to Amesbus bus
    7h 21m
    $77–336

Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines (DSM) flights

Calendar102Weekly Planes
Duration1h 31mAverage Duration
Ticket$66Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from West Chicago to Ames.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 386.7 mi
  • Duration: 5h 49m

What companies run services between West Chicago, IL, USA and Ames, IA, USA?

There is no direct connection from West Chicago to Ames. However, you can take the train to Chicago OTC, walk to Clark/Lake, 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 West Chicago to Ames, IA - Iowa State University via Chicago OTC, Madison & Canal, Harrison & Jefferson, Chicago Bus Station, Des Moines, and Des Moines International Airport, IA in around 10h 20m.

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