2023 Travel & Visitor Information

Ames, Iowa visitor guide

To get from the Des Moines airport to Ames (where Iowa State University is), there are a number of options:

  • Drive, ride share (e.g., Uber, Lyft), traditional taxi
  • Bus (42 minutes, ~$20+)
  • Executive Express shuttle (requires a reservation, runs every 90 minutes, $36 one-way; $56 round trip)

These options are explored here and here.

Parking

University parking and directions

— There are a variety of free parkingĀ  options on weekends visible in this parking map

— For Thursday and Friday, visitor parking permits must be obtained in advance: https://apps.parking.iastate.edu/visitor-permits