- Must visit
Saint Louis Art Museum
Vast art museum in Forest Park with global collections from antiquity to modern works and strong free general admission.
Cheapest price
$36
Average price
$36
Fastest journey
5 h 5 m
Average duration
5 h 5 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
356 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO will cost around $36 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $36.
Of the 1 buses that leave Iowa City, IA for St. Louis, MO on Thu, Jul 16, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Jul 16 the direct buses cover the 356 km distance in an average of 5 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 5 m .
On Thu, Jul 16 the slowest buses will take 5 h 5 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.


Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $36. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 59m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $36, and a flight costs an average of $273.
Distance: 221 miles (356 km)
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$58 Average price Cheapest | $349 Average price | $53 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
5h 35m Average total duration 5h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 59m Average total duration Fastest 4h 59m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 0m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO:
A bus is $291 (€240) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO costing on average $349 (€288).
Other travel options to St. Louis, MO take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 5m.
You'll arrive about -2h -5m sooner (5h 5m by bus vs 4h 0m by car) and save roughly $-5.41 (€-4.46) compared to fuel and tolls ($58 (€48) vs $53 (€44)). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by Greyhound.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:30AM | Arrival Time 05:35AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $36 |
Operator Infobus | Departure Time 09:55AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $108 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:40PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 18h45 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $176 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:30PM | Arrival Time 12:35AM | Duration 5h05 | Departure days Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $35 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 12:25PM | Duration 15h40 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $106 |
The table below shows live departures for Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO buses for today, Tuesday, July 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 9:55 AM Iowa City, IA | 7h05 | 5:00 PM St. Louis, MO | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:30 PM Iowa City, S Riverside Dr (Kum & Go), IA | 5h05 | 12:35 AM St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Wednesday, July 15 | |||||
![]() | 12:30 AM Iowa City, IA | 5h05 | 5:35 AM St. Louis, MO | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO run on average 2 times per day, taking around 5h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $36 (€30) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 07:50, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 221 miles (356 km) distance in 5h 5m.
Distance 221 miles (356 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price $36 (€30) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 5h 5m |
First bus 7:50 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of St. Louis, MO — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect St. Louis, MO trip today.
Vast art museum in Forest Park with global collections from antiquity to modern works and strong free general admission.
Leading history museum covering St. Louis, Missouri, and national stories through rotating exhibitions in Forest Park.
Interactive science museum with hands-on exhibits, planetarium, and family-friendly displays near Forest Park.
Lively downtown riverfront district with trails, views of the Arch, public art, and access to major historic sites.
Large urban park with trails, lakes, zoo access, and major museums, ideal for walking between top attractions.
Beloved neighborhood park with formal lily ponds, pavilions, and one of the city's most photographed landscapes.
A thin, cracker-like crust pizza cut into squares and topped with Provel cheese, a St. Louis original loved for its distinct texture and tangy flavor.
Crisp, breaded ravioli said to be born on The Hill, usually served with marinara. It is a signature St. Louis Italian-American appetizer.
Sticky butter cake with a dense base and gooey sweet top. A longtime St. Louis bakery favorite often enjoyed for breakfast or dessert.
Refined contemporary restaurant with tasting menus and strong national acclaim. Elegant fine dining focused on seasonal Midwestern ingredients.
Beloved frozen custard stand serving concretes and sundaes since 1929. Casual, nostalgic, and one of the city's iconic dessert stops.
Popular smokehouse known for St. Louis barbecue, especially ribs, brisket, and pork steak, in a polished but relaxed atmosphere.
Moderate for U.S. city breaks: hotels and dining are reasonable, transit is limited, and attractions often cost less than in larger U.S. tourist cities.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and 10-15% for taxis. Cafes often have tip jars or screen prompts.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO 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 St. Louis, MO, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Iowa City, IA to St. Louis, MO buses use the Iowa City, S Riverside Dr (Kum & Go) to St. Louis, S 15th St (Civic center) station pair. Use this guide to compare Iowa City, IA and St. Louis, MO bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need