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

View £168 flight on Mon, 8 Jun 2026Opens in a new window

Flight 1

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

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

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
September is typically the cheapest month to fly from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.), with average return fares of approximately £259. This is about 28% lower than the average price throughout the year. September often sees lower prices as the summer travel rush ends and before the holiday season begins, leading to reduced demand. Other cheap months to fly from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) include January and August.
How do I find cheap flights from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
To find a cheap flight from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
The best time to fly from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) for a good deal is typically in September or August. Based on booking data from the past year, you can expect to find return flights for around £259 during these months. While these might not be the absolute busiest travel times, they offer a great balance of lower prices, meaning you can save on your trip.
How many flights per day from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
There are approximately 80 connecting flights per day from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM). Some common connection points include O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Denver International Airport (DEN), and Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
What is the earliest flight from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
The earliest flight from San Diego Intl. (SAN) to Des Moines Intl. (DSM) typically departs at approximately 6:00 AM local time, operated by American Airlines. This is a seasonal service active in February and March. 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
If you're flying from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM), you'll typically find the most flights on a Friday, with around 59 flights available. This gives you plenty of options to choose from. Major airlines on this route include United Airlines, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Flight options are notably more plentiful on Fridays and Thursdays compared to other days of the week, offering you a good selection for your travel plans.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
The most popular departure times for flights from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) are in the early morning, between 6am and 9am. About 43% of passengers prefer this time window. Many major carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, offer flights during this window. This timing works well because it allows you to get an early start on your travel day and arrive at your destination with plenty of time.
How long does it take to fly from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
Flying from SAN to DSM with a connection usually takes about 8 hours 50 minutes, traveling roughly 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
Select the "Business class" and "First class" filters when looking for SAN to DSM 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) flight with Expedia?
It's easy to earn miles on a San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines 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 Des Moines from San Diego Intl. (SAN)?
From San Diego Intl. (SAN), you can fly directly into Des Moines Intl. (DSM) to reach Des Moines. Some flights may connect through major hubs like Los Angeles Intl. (LAX), Sky Harbor Intl. (PHX), San Francisco Intl. (SFO) before reaching Des Moines. 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) at the last minute?
Typically, booking a last minute flight from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) flight and hotel package?
Securing a San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines 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 San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
If you booked your San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines 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
San Diego Intl.
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Distance
2282 km

Book with confidence

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

For travelling on business or for pleasure, Expedia makes it easy to book your flights from San Diego to Des Moines. Operating between them flights per day, 10 airlines cover the route. And fly direct, getting you to Des Moines Intl. in just hours. If you have a preferred carrier, use our advanced search tool to find the right flight from San Diego Intl. to Des Moines 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 San Diego Intl. (SAN) to Des Moines Intl. (DSM)

The easiest way to view the best deals on flights from San Diego to Des Moines 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 San Diego Intl. to Des Moines Intl. start at just and range up to .  

To find an even better deal, try  

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

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

We cater for all flight types, cabin classes and airlines. So whether you’re booking flights from San Diego Intl. to Des Moines 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 San Diego to Des Moines easily and book with confidence

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