Council Bluffs travel guide

Council Bluffs Tourism | Council Bluffs Guide

You're Going to Love Council Bluffs

With a population of 62,230, Council Bluffs is a must-see destination in Iowa, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Council Bluffs deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Council Bluffs

If you’re looking for affordable options, 712 Eat + Drink (1851 Madison Ave) and Dixie Quicks (157 W Broadway) are great picks.

When to visit Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs in November
Estimated hotel price
$92
1 night at 3-star hotel
Council Bluffs in November
Estimated hotel price
$92
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Council Bluffs

Plane

When flying to Council Bluffs, you’ll arrive at Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport (OMA), which is located 5 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Council Bluffs include Air Canada, Copa Airlines and Frontier. The shortest domestic flight to Council Bluffs departs from Austin and takes around 2h 06m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Council Bluffs. The train journey from Council Bluffs to Denver takes 8h 55m and costs around $112 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Chicago, expect to pay about $106 for a 9h 09m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Council Bluffs is to pick up a car rental from Kansas City, which is about 267 km from Council Bluffs. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Hertz, among others, in Kansas City.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Council Bluffs, including Tornado Bus, Bus and Megabus. From Chicago, the bus ride to Council Bluffs takes 917 km and will cost you around $334. From Dallas, the ticket costs about $185 for a journey of 1320 km.

Plane

When flying to Council Bluffs, you’ll arrive at Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport (OMA), which is located 5 km from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Council Bluffs include Air Canada, Copa Airlines and Frontier. The shortest domestic flight to Council Bluffs departs from Austin and takes around 2h 06m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Council Bluffs. The train journey from Council Bluffs to Denver takes 8h 55m and costs around $112 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Chicago, expect to pay about $106 for a 9h 09m trip.

Car

Another option to get to Council Bluffs is to pick up a car rental from Kansas City, which is about 267 km from Council Bluffs. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Hertz, among others, in Kansas City.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Council Bluffs, including Tornado Bus, Bus and Megabus. From Chicago, the bus ride to Council Bluffs takes 917 km and will cost you around $334. From Dallas, the ticket costs about $185 for a journey of 1320 km.

Airports near Council Bluffs

Airlines serving Council Bluffs

Lufthansa
Good (4,675 reviews)
KLM
Good (842 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,643 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,575 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,595 reviews)
Air France
Good (982 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,107 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,422 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,990 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (6,009 reviews)
Finnair
Good (855 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,755 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,359 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (740 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (771 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (486 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (960 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (809 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (953 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (785 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Council Bluffs

Most booked hotels in Council Bluffs

Kimpton Cottonwood
4 stars
Excellent (9, 242 reviews)
$190+
Bridgepointe Inn & Suites
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1070 reviews)
$98+
DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Southwest
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 671 reviews)
$115+
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Council Bluffs I-29, An IHG Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 580 reviews)
$120+
Hotel Deco
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 371 reviews)
$146+
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Council Bluffs
2 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1321 reviews)
$105+

Renting a car in Council Bluffs

Renting a car in Council Bluffs costs $49 per day, on average, or $98 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 36% cheaper than airport locations in Council Bluffs.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Council Bluffs (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Council Bluffs is Full-size (Chevrolet Suburban or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Nissan Sentra or similar) are, on average, 72% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Council Bluffs costs $49 per day, on average, or $98 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 36% cheaper than airport locations in Council Bluffs.

Expect to pay $3.90 per gallon in Council Bluffs (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $46.79 and $62.38. The most frequently booked car type in Council Bluffs is Full-size (Chevrolet Suburban or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Intermediate rental cars (Nissan Sentra or similar) are, on average, 72% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Car rental agencies in Council Bluffs

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Find car rentals in Council Bluffs