Cheap flights from San Diego to Des Moines

Compare San Diego to Des Moines flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Des Moines

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Flight deals from San Diego to Des Moines

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from San Diego to Des Moines? Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Des Moines

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like San Diego to Des Moines flights are currently cheapest in October.

San Diego to Des Moines: Alternative routes

Compare routes from San Diego to Des Moines below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Des Moines.

San Diego to Des Moines: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$200
Cheapest month to flyOctober

Finding cheap flights from San Diego to Des Moines: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a round-trip flight from San Diego to Des Moines is $200. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct from San Diego to Des Moines. But we found flights with one stop from $200.
There are no flights flying from San Diego to Des Moines, as of September 2025.
The cheapest month to fly from San Diego to Des Moines is usually October.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from San Diego to Des Moines Airport on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
No airlines currently offer direct flights between San Diego and Des Moines Airport. Most routes have one or more stops.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Des Moines but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar, and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Des Moines is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
The cheapest airline that flies to Des Moines is Frontier Airlines.

Flying from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport (DSM): What you need to know

  • Begin your journey at one of San Diego's main airports, San Diego International Airport (SAN) or McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD). Check out your options for booking a flight from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) departing from either of these.

  • Expect to be in the air for 3 hours 30 minutes. On average, that's the duration of a direct San Diego to Des Moines International Airport flight.

  • Des Moines International Airport is located in Des Moines. The city operates on the UTC-5 timezone and is two hours ahead of San Diego.

  • Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Get to the airport on time to catch your flight from San Diego to DSM.

  • In peak travel periods, allow for extended wait times and get there earlier. Aim for at least two hours ahead for domestic flights and up to four hours for international journeys.

Airports in San Diego

San Diego International Airport (SAN)

  • Reach your destination without the detour from San Diego International Airport (SAN). Nonstop flights from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) can be booked from here.

  • You can travel on a direct flight from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport with Allegiant Air. This top airline operates services from SAN.

  • Allegiant Air is the most frequently chosen airline for flights from SAN to DSM.

  • Traveling from central San Diego to SAN takes about 20 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 5 kilometers in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.

  • Looking for a convenient hotel close to San Diego International Airport? If you've booked an early flight from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport, these stays will have you sleeping a quick hop from check-in:

  • When it comes to the on-time performance of San Diego International Airport, 71.38% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.

  • SAN is located at N Harbor Dr.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD)

  • With public transport, you can travel from central San Diego to CLD in about 2 hours 15 minutes. The terminal is roughly 56 kilometers away, and making the journey by car takes approximately 40 minutes.

  • Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your San Diego to DSM flight? Check in to a hotel near McClellan-Palomar Airport before your vacation officially begins. These stays are expecting you:

About Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Getting from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to central Des Moines

  • Central Des Moines is about 6 kilometers from Des Moines International Airport. Journey times by cab or car rental will vary based on traffic conditions, so do some research ahead of time.

  • Traveling on public transport will take you around 45 minutes.

How to find the cheapest flights from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • $84 is currently the lowest price for a one-way ticket from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport. Return flights start from $200. These prices may change depending on demand.

  • Snap up cheap flights from San Diego to DSM by booking one month ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.

  • The best month for scoring cheap San Diego to Des Moines International Airport tickets is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates that offer the biggest savings.

  • There's no need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know as soon as a new deal shows up on plane tickets from San Diego to DSM.

  • Filters make it easier to land a deal on your flight from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport. Choose the departure times, airlines and number of stops that match your plans. Then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to bring up the lowest fares right away.

The best time to fly from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • It's time to figure out your travel dates for your flight from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport (DSM). July is the busiest month to travel to Des Moines. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go in April.

  • The warmest month in Des Moines is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC (59ºF) and 31ºC (88ºF). Book your San Diego to DSM plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.

  • Search for cheap tickets from San Diego to Des Moines International Airport in January if you'd rather travel when it's cooler. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -13ºC (9ºF) and 2ºC (36ºF).

More about Des Moines

Explore more of the United States

  • You've done Des Moines, now it's time to explore other parts of the United States. Travel about 290 kilometers south to Kansas City to tick off its top sights. From Jazz 1 to National WWI Museum and Memorial and Jazz Pantheon, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.

  • Around 193 kilometers west of Des Moines, Omaha is another essential stop in the United States. Experience major highlights starting with Kiewit Luminarium, Suzanne & Walter Scott Aquarium and OUR BODY: The Universe Within.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.