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 Denver and takes around 1h 29m.

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 $65 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Chicago, expect to pay about $60 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.

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 Denver and takes around 1h 29m.

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 $65 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Chicago, expect to pay about $60 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.

Airports near Council Bluffs

Airlines serving Council Bluffs

Lufthansa
Good (4,665 reviews)
KLM
Good (853 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,537 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,613 reviews)
Air France
Good (984 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,585 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (4,958 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,119 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,469 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (5,860 reviews)
Finnair
Good (872 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (5,652 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (773 reviews)
Frontier
Okay (1,348 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (773 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (475 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (962 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (811 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (988 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (778 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)
$177+
Bridgepointe Inn & Suites
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, 1050 reviews)
$95+
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Council Bluffs I-29, An IHG Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 584 reviews)
$120+
Hotel Deco
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, 364 reviews)
$133+
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Council Bluffs
2 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1345 reviews)
$101+
Even Hotel Omaha Downtown - Old Market, An IHG Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 791 reviews)
$103+

Renting a car in Council Bluffs

Renting a car in Council Bluffs costs $43 per day, on average, or $86 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 50% cheaper than airport locations in Council Bluffs.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Council Bluffs is Full-size (Ford Transit 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 $43 per day, on average, or $86 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 50% cheaper than airport locations in Council Bluffs.

Expect to pay $3.94 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 $47.24 and $62.99. The most frequently booked car type in Council Bluffs is Full-size (Ford Transit 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.