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 3 miles 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 Dallas and takes around 1h 44m.

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 166 miles from Council Bluffs. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Hertz, among others, in Kansas City.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Council Bluffs using Bus or Megabus.

Plane

When flying to Council Bluffs, you’ll arrive at Omaha Eppley Airfield Airport (OMA), which is located 3 miles 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 Dallas and takes around 1h 44m.

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 166 miles from Council Bluffs. You’ll find branches of Sixt and Hertz, among others, in Kansas City.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Council Bluffs using Bus or Megabus.

Airports near Council Bluffs

Airlines serving Council Bluffs

Lufthansa
Good (4,697 reviews)
KLM
Good (847 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,592 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,596 reviews)
Air France
Good (981 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,599 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,116 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,962 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,437 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,941 reviews)
Finnair
Good (863 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,728 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,356 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (766 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (771 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (486 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (976 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (817 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (975 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (774 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Council Bluffs

Most booked hotels in Council Bluffs

Kimpton Cottonwood
4 stars
Excellent (9, 244 reviews)
$181+
Bridgepointe Inn & Suites
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1063 reviews)
$95+
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Council Bluffs I-29, An IHG Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 581 reviews)
$117+
Hotel Deco
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 366 reviews)
$153+
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Council Bluffs
2 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1327 reviews)
$106+
Even Hotel Omaha Downtown - Old Market, An IHG Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 799 reviews)
$103+

Renting a car in Council Bluffs

Renting a car in Council Bluffs costs $52 per day, on average, or $104 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 27% 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 $52 per day, on average, or $104 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 27% 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.