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Flights to Des Moines
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Cheapest flights to Des Moines airports
Find the cheapest flights to these Des Moines airports from your nearest city or airport
When is the best time to fly to Des Moines?
Choose a month below to see average flight prices and weather conditions
The capital of Iowa, Des Moines is a city with a rich history and a bright future. Summer is the busiest time of year for tourism, with activities such as the Iowa State Fair attracting visitors from all over. Temperatures are very comfortable, with highs averaging 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hotel and flight prices will be at their highest, so if you want to save some money, try visiting in fall. Tourism is slowest in fall, although the weather in September can still be very warm. Temperature highs range from 45 – 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is a chance of rain, so be prepared with proper clothing. Once winter hits, it can get cold in Des Moines, with highs from 32 – 39 degrees Fahrenheit, and the chance of snow. If cold weather doesn’t bother you, there are plenty of activities like skating and tubing that are fun for all ages. When spring rolls around, tourism starts picking up again, especially in later months as it gets warmer. With highs ranging from 38 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, be prepared for changing weather by packing layers and rain gear!
What is the absolute cheapest flight to Des Moines?
Users booking trips to Des Moines from Las Vegas found flights 62% cheaper than the average price of flights to Des Moines. To find the cheapest price to Des Moines from your area, use momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Des Moines?
If you aren’t able to travel to Des Moines during the month of April, then flying in July is also cheap. Prices for this month can be found on momondo for an average of $217.
How far in advance should I book a flight to Des Moines?
The ideal time to book your flight to Des Moines is 25 days in advance when prices tend to average $309. However, flight prices might be lower outside of this timeframe. For example, people recently found flights to Des Moines from United States for as low as $106 on momondo.
What is the cheapest day to depart on your flight to Des Moines?
According to our data, Thursday is the cheapest day to fly to Des Moines from United States. The lowest ticket price found for a Thursday departure recently was $314. Keep in mind that prices can always vary depending on your route and whether or not you are flying domestic or international. If your travel schedule is flexible, try to avoid departing on a Sunday because tickets tend to average around $385. These prices are subject to change though, so be sure to set up a Price Alert for flights to Des Moines.
What is the cheapest time of day to depart on your flight to Des Moines?
Our data shows that the cheapest United States to Des Moines flights are usually those with departure times at noon. Our users have found flights to Des Moines at noon for as low as $248. Flights to Des Moines are more costly in the evening, with an average ticket price of $349. Departure times in the evening fall within the peak daily travel times, which is why tickets can be more expensive.
Is there a good place to hike near Des Moines?
If you’re looking to do your hiking in warmer conditions, consider planning your flight to Des Moines for September and October. Parks like Iowa State Fairgrounds are popular hot spots in those months.
Is there an alternative airport near Des Moines?
Finding an alternative and possibly cheaper destination airport near Des Moines is possible. If you are planning a flight to Des Moines, consider booking flights to Fort Dodge Airport (73 mi from Des Moines city center) or Waterloo Airport (92 mi from Des Moines city center).
Is there a cheaper alternative to flying into Des Moines?
The cheapest airport near Des Moines is typically Fort Dodge Airport with an average price of $231/person. These prices vary based on where travelers are coming from. It is suggested that travelers looking to save money try momondo’s Airport-to-Airport Pricing Tool.
What are the current travel restrictions for Des Moines?
Currently, United States travel restrictions include travel to Des Moines. Entry restrictions
The United States has restricted the entry of all foreign nationals who have passed through or have been in China, Iran, Most European Countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City), the UK, Ireland and Brazil in the past 14 days. With the exception of certain travelers which includes certain family members of US citizens or permanent residents including; spouses, children (under the age of 21), parents (provided that his/her US citizen or permanent resident child is unmarried and under the age of 21), and siblings (provided that both the sibling and the US citizen or permanent resident are unmarried and under the age of 21); There is also an exception for travelers with the following visas: A-1, A-2, C-1, C-1/D, C-2, C-3, CR-1, CR-2, D, E-1 (as an employee of TECRO or TECO or the employee's immediate family members), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, IR-1, IR-4, IH-4, NATO-1 through NATO-4, or NATO-6 visa; Members of the US Armed Forces, spouses, and children of members of the US Armed Forces; Travelers with invitation of the USA government for a purpose related to the containment/mitigation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19); Travelers with documents issued by the US Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection, or US Department of State indicating that the traveler is exempt from the restriction; B1 crew crewmembers that are engaged in lightering, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) activity, wind farm activity, private air/sea crew and other similar crewmember activities; Students with an F-1 or M-1 visa and their F-2 and M-2 dependents, if they arrive from or have been in Ireland, the UK or Schengen Area in the past 14 days.
Entry requirementsStarting on January 26, all travelers (including US citizens and transit passenger) must present a negative COVID-19 viral or antigen test result issued 72 hours prior to departure or have an evidence of having contracted and recovered from COVID-19 prior to boarding the plane. US citizens and permanent residents arriving from the UK must present a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result issued within 72 hours prior to departure.
Quarantine requirementsTravelers returning to the US are advised to stay home as much as possible, avoid being around people and consider getting tested for COVID-19 after returning from travel and participated in higher risk activities.
All other infoTravelers are subject to COVID-19 measures set by the state/territory of their final destination. For more information go to CDC website.
If you are planning to travel to Des Moines at this time, it is recommended that you stay up to date on current restrictions and follow proper safety measures while in public.Des Moines flight deals found on momondo
Check out some of the best fares from airports in United States to Des Moines found recently by users on momondo
Multiple Airlines![Multiple Airlines]()
![Multiple Airlines]()
Feb 8
11h 07mDallas/Fort Worth
11h 07m
1 stop
12:52 pm
Des Moines
Feb 13
12:00 pmDes Moines
2h 14m
2:14 pm
Dallas/Fort Worth
Multiple Airlines![Multiple Airlines]()
![Multiple Airlines]()
Feb 26
10h 37mPhoenix Sky Harbor Intl
10h 37m
1 stop
12:22 pm
Des Moines
Mar 5
10:39 amDes Moines
3h 15m
1:54 pm
Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Multiple Airlines![Multiple Airlines]()
![Multiple Airlines]()
Feb 26
10h 37mPhoenix Sky Harbor Intl
10h 37m
1 stop
12:22 pm
Des Moines
Mar 5
10:39 amDes Moines
3h 15m
1:54 pm
Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Multiple Airlines![Multiple Airlines]()
![Multiple Airlines]()
Feb 5
5h 57mAustin Bergstrom
5h 57m
1 stop
1:38 pm
Des Moines
Feb 7
7:00 amDes Moines
8h 55m
1 stop
3:55 pm
Austin Bergstrom
Frontier![Frontier]()
![Frontier]()
Feb 5
9h 33mPhoenix Sky Harbor Intl
9h 33m
1 stop
12:38 pm
Des Moines
Feb 8
1:38 pmDes Moines
6h 24m
1 stop
8:02 pm
Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Find the cheapest one-way flights to Des Moines
If you're looking for one-way flights to Des Moines, view some of our deals below provided by Frontier
Which airlines fly to Des Moines?
Here you can see a selection of the most popular and cheapest airlines for flights to Des Moines
You can fly direct to Des Moines with American Airlines, Delta, United, Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines from major U.S. cities. Alaska Airlines also offers flights with one or more stops.
How to get from the airport to Des Moines city center?
Below you will find all the airports in Des Moines along with the distance from the city center
Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
DSM is a public airport that is located just 3 miles southwest of Des Moines. Despite the airport being close to the city, it offers many different ways to get you downtown.
Taxis
Once you are past baggage claim and outside the terminal, you can hail a taxi to take you into the city. A ride into downtown will cost around $12.00 USD and takes 15 minutes. Uber is also available to order, and will cost around $11.00 USD.
Buses
Look for DART bus 8; it stops at Airport South Park, just outside the terminal. Hop on and ride to DART Central Station. It will cost $1.75 USD and take you about 20 minutes. These buses only run from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, so if you are arriving outside these times, you will have to look for another option.
Shuttles and limousines
The airport has many different offers for shuttles and limousines to take you into the city. For more information, visit the airport website.
Car rentals
If you wish to rent a car, remember to look for the best deals on car rentals with momondo.
Popular routes to Des Moines
Most frequently searched flights to Des Moines along with the cheapest price and shortest flight duration
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How to get around in Des Moines?
Des Moines is a city that is very walkable and even encourages people to get outside and explore on foot with a myriad of trails and painted pathways. However, for those who don’t want to be on their feet all day, there are a few options to get you where you want to go.
Buses
DART buses run all over Des Moines and cost just $1.75 USD per ride. If you’re going to be in town for a while, consider purchasing a 1-week pass for $16.00 USD. DART also offers free rides on its D-line Downtown Shuttle which takes you to a limited number of places in the downtown core.
Taxis
Taxis are a great way to get around town, especially later at night when there are fewer buses. Rates start with a $2.00 USD meter drop plus $2.00 USD per mile after that. UberX is also available for a much cheaper rate, at a $0.90 USD meter drop plus $0.65 USD per mile.
Car rentals
For those who wish to rent a car in Des Moines, there are plenty of options both at the airport and downtown. Navigating the city is easy as it is built in a grid system and there are always plenty of parking spots. It’s a good idea to purchase a Smartcard, available at parking garages downtown, which allows you to load money and spend the exact amount for the time you were parked. Whatever money is leftover will stay on the card for the next time you park.
What are the visa and passport requirements when flying to Des Moines?
No visa is required for domestic travelers within the U.S. For foreign nationals, please check the U.S. Department of State website.
Start planning your trip to Des Moines
Start planning your trip today
Get an overview of the top hotels in the most popular neighborhoods of Des Moines
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Get to Des Moines by train as an alternative to flying. Learn more about the best train deals here.
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Additional info and tips about visiting Des Moines
Things to do and places of interest in Des Moines
Des Moines is a city that attracts visitors for its historical and cultural relevance but will have them coming back for its many modern museums and parks. Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, there are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy, when you travel to Des Moines.
- One of the most remarkable buildings in Des Moines is the gold-domed Iowa State Building. Despite being an active government building, it offers free tours weekly so that you may discover a beautiful piece of history.
- Take a trip to the Downtown Farmers’ Market, which is open from May to October, for the best in local crafts and foods.
- Visit the Iowa State Fair, one of the largest fairs in the US, for a dose of local culture. With over 450 acres of festival to enjoy, there is something for everyone!
- The Science Center of Iowa is a place for all ages, with a planetarium, an IMAX theatre, and dozens of hands-on exhibits. They even offer adult-oriented programs for those who are looking for an educational afternoon.
- Stop by John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park, a park in the heart of Des Moines that features over 20 pieces of sculpted art.
- Visit the Salisbury House and Gardens, a 1920s-dated estate that boasts 42 rooms and an enormous botanical garden. These days, the mansion offers tours through its impressive art museum, concert hall, and vast library.
Tips and tricks for visiting Des Moines
Discover Des Moines by bicycle; with lots of trails and bike lanes, it is an affordable and fast way to explore the city.
For those looking for the best food Des Moines can offer, try visiting a restaurant in East Village, the trendiest part of town.