£168 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego (SAN)

View £168 flight on Thu, 4 Jun 2026Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN)

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Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego (SAN)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at £168 for one-way flights and £336 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Alaska Airlines
Thu, 4 Jun - Mon, 8 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£336 Return, found 4 days ago
£336
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, 4 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Mon, 8 Jun, priced at £336 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Thu, 4 Jun - Mon, 8 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£337 Return, found 4 days ago
£337
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, 4 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Mon, 8 Jun, priced at £337 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Thu, 4 Jun - Mon, 8 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£403 Return, found 4 days ago
£403
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, 4 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Mon, 8 Jun, priced at £403 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Thu, 4 Jun - Mon, 8 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£404 Return, found 4 days ago
£404
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, 4 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Mon, 8 Jun, priced at £404 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Thu, 4 Jun - Mon, 8 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£470 Return, found 4 days ago
£470
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, 4 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Mon, 8 Jun, priced at £470 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Thu, 4 Jun - Mon, 8 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£471 Return, found 4 days ago
£471
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Thu, 4 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Mon, 8 Jun, priced at £471 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Sat, 13 Jun - Sat, 20 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£474 Return, found 4 days ago
£474
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Sat, 13 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Sat, 20 Jun, priced at £474 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Sat, 13 Jun - Sat, 20 Jun
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£475 Return, found 4 days ago
£475
Return
found 4 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Sat, 13 Jun from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Sat, 20 Jun, priced at £475 found 4 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Mon, 18 May - Fri, 22 May
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£485 Return, found 21 hours ago
£485
Return
found 21 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Mon, 18 May from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Fri, 22 May, priced at £485 found 21 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Mon, 18 May - Fri, 22 May
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£488 Return, found 21 hours ago
£488
Return
found 21 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Mon, 18 May from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Fri, 22 May, priced at £488 found 21 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Mon, 18 May - Fri, 22 May
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£549 Return, found 21 hours ago
£549
Return
found 21 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Mon, 18 May from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Fri, 22 May, priced at £549 found 21 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Mon, 18 May - Fri, 22 May
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£552 Return, found 21 hours ago
£552
Return
found 21 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Mon, 18 May from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Fri, 22 May, priced at £552 found 21 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Mon, 18 May - Fri, 22 May
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£581 Return, found 21 hours ago
£581
Return
found 21 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Mon, 18 May from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Fri, 22 May, priced at £581 found 21 hours ago
Alaska Airlines
Mon, 18 May - Fri, 22 May
DSM
Des Moines
SAN
San Diego
£585 Return, found 21 hours ago
£585
Return
found 21 hours ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Mon, 18 May from Des Moines to San Diego, returning Fri, 22 May, priced at £585 found 21 hours ago

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
August is typically the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.), with average return fares of approximately £453. This is about 20% lower than the average price throughout the year. August often sees lower prices as the peak summer travel season begins to wind down, leading to reduced demand. September and November are also good months to find deals on this route.
How do I find cheap flights from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
To find a cheap flight from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.), be flexible with your dates. Traveling outside of peak vacation months and booking a mid-week flight can help you save. Early morning and late night flights are often more affordable, too. Expedia allows you to compare flight times, airlines and routes all in one place to find low fares. You can also set up Price Tracking and receive alerts when fares go up or down.
What is the best time to fly from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
The best time to fly from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) is September. This month offers a great balance, as it's both one of the cheapest times to fly, with average prices around £453, and a popular time for travel, meaning you'll have plenty of flight options. This information is based on booking data from the past year.
How many flights per day from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
There are approximately 45 connecting flights per day from Des Moines Intl. (DSM) to San Diego Intl. (SAN). Some common connection points include Denver Intl. (DEN), O'Hare Intl. (ORD), and Midway Intl. (MDW).
What is the earliest flight from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
The earliest flight from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) (DSM) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) (SAN) typically departs at approximately 5:00 AM local time, operated by American Airlines. This is a seasonal service active in March and April. An early departure like this can help you maximise your time at your destination. To compare early flights on Expedia, select the "Early Morning" and "Morning" filters in your search.
What day of the week has the most flights from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
You'll typically find the most flights from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) on a Thursday, with around 42 flights available. This gives you plenty of options for your travel plans. Major airlines on this route include American Airlines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. Flight schedules are consistent throughout the week.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
The most popular departure times for flights from Des Moines Intl. (DSM) to San Diego Intl. (SAN) are in the afternoon, between 12pm and 3pm. About 28% of passengers prefer this time window. Many major carriers, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, offer flights during this window. This timing works well because it allows you to have a productive morning before heading to the airport, and you'll arrive in San Diego with plenty of time to settle in.
How long does it take to fly from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
Flights from DSM to SAN with one stop typically take around 9 hours 20 minutes, covering approximately 1,427 miles. Keep in mind that actual flight times can vary due to wind patterns, weather, and air traffic.
Can you fly business or first class from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
Select the "Business class" and "First class" filters when looking for DSM to SAN flights on Expedia. This is the easiest way to compare prices, routes and flight times for your trip.
How do I earn miles on a Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) flight with Expedia?
It's easy to earn miles on a Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) flight when you book with Expedia. Before you confirm your booking, simply select your frequent flyer program and enter your program number. As a member of One Key™, you can also earn OneKeyCash™* on top of your airline miles when you book with Expedia. *Excludes taxes and fees. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia and other participating brands.
What airports do you fly into for San Diego from Des Moines Intl. (DSM)?
From Des Moines Intl. (DSM), you can fly directly into San Diego Intl. (SAN) to reach San Diego. Some flights may connect through major hubs like Denver Intl. (DEN), O'Hare Intl. (ORD), Sky Harbor Intl. (PHX) before reaching San Diego. Compare routes and airports on Expedia to find the best flight options for your travel plans.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) at the last minute?
Typically, booking a last minute flight from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) will be more expensive than booking in advance. As the departure date approaches, there are usually fewer seats available which can drive up the cost. However, if there's some wiggle room with your travel dates and times, you could bag a cheap last-minute fare.
Is it cheaper to book a Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) flight and hotel package?
Securing a Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) flight and hotel package is usually cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the ease of organizing your travels all in one place. Select from our extensive range of stays and then add flights, activities and car rentals to your booking. Bundle everything together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.)?
If you booked your Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) to San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) flight within the last 24 hours, you may be able to modify or cancel it without any fees. Depending on the airline and the type of ticket you have, additional charges may apply for changes beyond this timeframe. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, head to our Customer Service portal if you'd like more information.

Travel information

Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
San Diego Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines
Return price
£336
Distance
2282 km

Book with confidence

Compare flights from Des Moines to San Diego easily and book with confidence

For travelling on business or for pleasure, Expedia makes it easy to book your flights from Des Moines to San Diego. Operating between them flights per day, 20 airlines cover the route. And fly direct, getting you to San Diego Intl. in just hours. If you have a preferred carrier, use our advanced search tool to find the right flight from Des Moines Intl. to San Diego Intl..  

To make things even better, in the advanced search, you can also choose to fly economy, premium economy, business or first class, select your maximum number of stops, and pick your preferred departure and arrival time. You can also opt for refundable and direct flights. 

Grab a great deal on your flight from Des Moines Intl. (DSM) to San Diego Intl. (SAN)

The easiest way to view the best deals on flights from Des Moines to San Diego today is to enter your travel dates and hit search. From here, you can sort your results by price to see the cheapest flights first. Right now, return flights from Des Moines Intl. to San Diego Intl. start at just £336 and range up to £585.  

To find an even better deal, try  

  • being flexible on your dates – midweek flights can be cheaper
  • looking for other airports near Des Moines and San Diego
  • booking your flight during June, the cheapest month on this route
  • varying your flight times – early morning and late at night are sometimes cheaper 

Why you should book your Des Moines to San Diego flight with Expedia!

We cater for all flight types, cabin classes and airlines. So whether you’re booking flights from Des Moines Intl. to San Diego Intl. for a budget break or a business trip with a bit of pleasure thrown in, we make it easy to secure the seat that’s right for you.  

Thanks to our supersized inventory that offers great choice all in one place, you know you’ll get a great deal with Expedia. Especially if you bundle your flight together with your hotel, you will unlock amazing savings. For added peace of mind, you can choose flexible bookings or filter to find refundable options, so you won’t pay a fee to change your flight.  

Compare flights from Des Moines to San Diego easily and book with confidence

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*Available to Expedia members.