How to find cheap flights to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
The cheapest price currently available for a one-way flight to Des Moines International Airport is $1,390. A return plane ticket to DSM right now is $2,450.
Book when it's best with Price Alerts. You'll receive an email or a push notification on the app if the price of tickets to DSM rises or falls.
Book as early as possible. You might even be able to land some awesome early bird deals on tickets to Des Moines, where Des Moines International Airport is located.
Broaden your search for cheap flights to Des Moines by choosing the 'Add nearby airports' filter. This will let you compare prices for airports closest to your departure and destination points and could help you save money.
If there's no rush to get to Des Moines, think about going the long way round. You could find cheaper plane tickets to Des Moines International Airport if you book a flight with a stop or two.
Best time to go to Des Moines
May is typically the cheapest month to catch a flight to Des Moines.
To find the cheapest month for flights to DSM, use the 'Whole month' tool. If your travel dates are flexible, search for the green prices on the calendar — they highlight the lowest available fares.
July is the most popular month for flights to DSM. It's an ideal time to explore Des Moines in full swing.
Travel in December if you want to avoid the crowds. This is the quietest period of the year and also when plane tickets to Des Moines are generally less expensive.
Check the weather before travelling. July brings the warmest days in Des Moines, averaging between 15ºC and 31ºC.
Ranging from -13ºC to 2ºC, January is when temperatures are at their lowest.
Hoping for clearer skies? October is the driest month in Des Moines, averaging five days of rain.
Rain is more common here in May, which gets around ten days of wet weather.
Flying to Des Moines International Airport (DSM): What you need to know
Get to Des Moines in one go. These are some of the leading airlines offering direct flights to Des Moines International Airport:
Southwest Airlines offers the most punctual service. Up to 83% of its flights into this airport touch down as scheduled, making it a wise choice when booking your DSM plane ticket.
DSM is in the UTC-6 timezone.
Whether you're arriving late or simply want the convenience of staying close by, you'll find some great hotels near Des Moines International Airport. Check in to one of these after your flight to DSM:
Des Moines International Airport has an on-time performance of 77%. This rating is a snapshot of how reliably flights from DSM touch down when expected.
Getting to central Des Moines from Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
DSM is located about 11 kilometres from central Des Moines.
You'll reach the centre in around 15 minutes if you're catching a taxi or a ride-share after your flight to DSM.
Take public transport and you'll be there in roughly 30 minutes.
Des Moines is packed with options for a great night's sleep. Here's a roundup of comfy hotels to put on your short list:
Des Moines highlights
These leading sights have to be on your itinerary after hopping off your flight to Des Moines:
Science Centre of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theatre: An impressive preview of what the city has to offer, this landmark is around 0.64 kilometres southeast of the centre.
Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden: Here's where you can slow things down a little while exploring Des Moines. This park is roughly 2 kilometres west of the centre.
Lauridsen Skatepark: This is just one more reason to visit this city. A memorable landmark, it's around 0.97 kilometres northeast of the heart of Des Moines.
How to get to Ames from Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Setting out for the nearby city of Ames? It's about 64 kilometres from DSM. Allow around 50 minutes to get there by taxi or ride-share.
Allow roughly 9 hours 30 minutes if you travel to Ames on public transport.
Travelling from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Ankeny
Located about 23 kilometres away, Ankeny is another city that you can easily reach from Des Moines International Airport. It takes around 2 hours 40 minutes to make the journey on public transport from DSM.
By car, the trip will take you roughly 30 minutes.
Explore more of the United States
In the mood to keep exploring? Kansas City is a must-do while you're in the United States. It's about 290 kilometres south of Des Moines and features National WWI Museum and Memorial, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Union Station - 2017. The major airport for this city is Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
Omaha is another top destination in the United States and is roughly 193 kilometres west of Des Moines. Zero in on some of the best places like Kiewit Luminarium, OUR BODY: The Universe Within and Orpheum Theatre.
Roughly 274 kilometres west of Des Moines, Lincoln is worth working into your travels. Great reasons to visit include Hyde Observatory, Museum of American Speed and Lied Centre for Performing Arts.
