Saturday Shuttles
The Saturday Shuttle departs twice a month to either Des Moines’ Jordan Creek Mall or Historic East Village or to Iowa City’s Coral Ridge Mall and Old Capital Town Center.
Students, faculty, and staff may purchase a ticket for $5 cash only, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the Student Affairs Office, Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center (JRC) third floor. The ticket must be presented to board the shuttle. Tickets are limited. The shuttle will depart in front of the JRC promptly at 10 a.m. The return shuttle will depart the destination promptly at 4:45 p.m. with an estimated return to campus by 6 p.m.
Please note: It is your responsibility to be on the bus at the time of departure. If you miss the bus for the return to campus, you will be responsible for your transportation back to campus.
Des Moines Airport Shuttles
Grinnell College provides shuttle services for students from the Des Moines International Airport at the beginning and end of each academic year and school break. The registration links below for each shuttle include dates, times, and pricing information. Contact the transportation manager or Facilities Management (FM) office with questions at 641-269-3300.
Register for August 2026 Return Shuttles
Register for Academic Year Student Shuttles: Des Moines
Chicago Shuttles
Grinnell College provides shuttle service from Chicago (Union Station) and Lisle, Ill., for school breaks and holidays, but not at the beginning or end of the academic year. The registration for each shuttle will include dates, times, and pricing information. Contact the transportation manager or Facilities Management (FM) office with questions at 641-269-3300.
Register for Chicago Break and Holiday Shuttles 2025–26
Taxi Service
There are taxicab companies that will come to pick you up from or take you to the Des Moines Airport for approximately $125.
Des Moines-Based Services
- Alpha Taxi: 515-280-1813
- Airport Limo: 877-APTLIMO or 877-278-5466
- Capitol Cab Company: 515-282-8111
- Yellow Cab Company: 515-243-1111
Greyhound Bus Lines
- online at greyhound.com or
- through the Greyhound mobile app.
Route and Destinations
These routes offer direct access to major cities and other college communities, as well as key regional transportation centers for connections to other national intercity bus routes.
Stops between Chicago and Des Moines include:
- Illinois: Chicago Bus Station, Naperville, Dekalb, Rochelle, Dixon, and Moline.
- Iowa: Davenport, Iowa City, Grinnell, Grinnell College, and Des Moines.