The cheapest and fastest buses from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA
Cheapest price
$181
Average price
$181
Fastest journey
1 d 6 h 30 m
Average duration
1 d 6 h 30 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
1561 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA will cost around $181 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $181.
Of the 1 buses that leave Des Moines, IA for Philadelphia, PA on Wed, Nov 26, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Nov 26 the direct buses cover the 1561 km distance in an average of 1 d 6 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 d 6 h 30 m .
On Wed, Nov 26 the slowest buses will take 1 d 6 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.


Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €138. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 37m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €138, and a flight costs an average of €100.
Distance: 969 miles (1561 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight |
|---|---|
€162 Average price Cheapest | €269 Average price |
26h 54m Average total duration 26h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 37m Average total duration Fastest 3h 37m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 09:20AM | Arrival Time 03:45PM | Duration 29h25 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $437 |
Live departures
Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA buses for today, Tuesday, November 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
undefined · undefined · undefined | 3:20 PM Des Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA | 26h40 | 6:00 PM Philadelphia, Spring Garden St / N 2nd St (Madison War Memorial Park), PA | 2 transfers | |
undefined · undefined+ FlixBus | 3:20 PM Des Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA | 29h25 | 8:45 PM Philadelphia, Spring Garden St / N 2nd St (Madison War Memorial Park), PA | 2 transfers | |
undefined · undefined · undefined+ FlixBus | 3:20 PM Des Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA | 34h35 | 1:55 AM Philadelphia, Schuylkill Ave (Cira Centre South), PA | 3 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA by bus or flight
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Nov 26
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Nov 28
Nov 29
Nov 30
Dec 01
Dec 02
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA
Buses from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 26h 24m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $169 (€138) but you can travel from only $122 (€100) by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 01:45, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 969 miles (1561 km) distance in 30h 30m.
Distance 969 miles (1561 km) |
Average bus duration 26h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price $169 (€138) |
Buses per day 3 |
Fastest bus 30h 30m |
First bus 01:45 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA start from as low as $169 (€138) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $199 (€162) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 3 daily trains from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA with 0 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 30h 30m but the average duration is 26h 24m
Train Operators
- Travel from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA with Greyhound and FlixBus
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Greyhound.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Des Moines, E Euclid Ave (Clark Lift Of Des Moines, Inc.), IA and arrive in Philadelphia, Spring Garden St / N 2nd St (Madison War Memorial Park), PA
- First train typically departs at 01:45 AM and the last at 11:45 PM
Bus providers: Greyhound, FlixBus from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PAYou can travel by bus between Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA with Greyhound, FlixBus for as low as $122 (€100). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Philadelphia, PA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence housed in Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, renowned for its vast collection of art and famous Rocky Steps
- Reading Terminal Market, a historic public market offering diverse food vendors and local specialties
- Eastern State Penitentiary, a former prison now a museum known for its grand architecture and historical significance.
- Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence located in the Liberty Bell Center
- Independence Hall, the historic site where the Declaration of Independence and the U. S. Constitution were debated and adopted
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, renowned for its vast collection of art and the famous Rocky Steps
- Reading Terminal Market, a bustling indoor market offering diverse food options and local specialties
- Philadelphia Zoo, America's first zoo featuring a wide variety of animals and interactive exhibits.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- Guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA
Most popular bus connections from Des Moines, IA
More options for your journey from Des Moines, IA to Philadelphia, PA
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