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£240 Cheap Flights from San Diego (SAN) to Des Moines (DSM)

View £240 flight on Wed, 9 Sept 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 £240 for one-way flights and £479 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Alaska Airlines
Fri, 28 Aug - Fri, 4 Sept
SAN
San Diego
DSM
Des Moines
£479 Return, found 3 days ago
£479
Return
found 3 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Fri, 28 Aug from San Diego to Des Moines, returning Fri, 4 Sept, priced at £479 found 3 days ago
Alaska Airlines
Fri, 28 Aug - Fri, 4 Sept
SAN
San Diego
DSM
Des Moines
£480 Return, found 3 days ago
£480
Return
found 3 days ago
Select Alaska Airlines flight, departing Fri, 28 Aug from San Diego to Des Moines, returning Fri, 4 Sept, priced at £480 found 3 days ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from San Diego (SAN) to Des Moines (DSM)

February is typically the cheapest month to fly

From £96 - £379 per traveller.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) cost?
You can find one-way and return flights from SAN to DSM with Expedia. Flight prices vary based on the month and day of the week you want to travel, as well as the airline and how far in advance you book your ticket. Filter your search on Expedia by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest fares first, and use the Price Tracking tool to receive alerts when SAN to DSM ticket fares go up or down.
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 around £259. 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.
Which airlines fly direct from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
Enter SAN to DSM and your travel dates, then apply the 'Nonstop' filter to see only direct flights.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
Southwest Airlines is one of the cheapest airlines offering connecting return flights from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.), with prices starting from around £190 for flights that can be booked for departure within the next year. These flights typically include a layover in Sky Harbor Intl. (PHX). Prices are per adult, for economy/coach class. Use Expedia's search tool to compare the prices and schedules of airlines that fly this route to find the best option for your plans and budget.
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 cheapest months to fly from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) are typically September and August, with average return flights costing around £259. These months can offer a good balance of more affordable fares, allowing you to 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 84 connecting flights per day from San Diego International (SAN) to Des Moines International (DSM). Some common connection points include O'Hare International (ORD), Denver International (DEN), and Sky Harbor International (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, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.) typically departs around 6:00 AM. This service is operated by American Airlines. This is a seasonal service, active in February and March. An early departure like this can help you make the most of 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.)?
You'll typically find the most flights from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) on a Thursday, with around 62 flights available. This gives you a good selection of options for your travel plans. Major airlines on this route include United, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Flight schedules are fairly consistent throughout the week, so you'll have plenty of options no matter which day you choose to fly.
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, from 6am to 9am. Many major carriers, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United, offer flights during this window. Many travellers prefer this because it allows for an early start to their journey, giving them more time at their destination.
How long does it take to fly from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
There are no nonstop flights from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.). For connecting flights, a one-stop journey typically takes around 8 hours 48 minutes. If you have two or more stops, your travel time will be longer, usually around 13 hours. The distance between these two cities is approximately 2,297 kilometers. Keep in mind that these are average times, and your actual flight duration can vary depending on the specific routing and layover times.
Can you fly business or first class from San Diego, CA (SAN-San Diego Intl.) to Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)?
Yes, you can fly business class or first class between SAN and DSM. Airlines that offer business class service on this route include:
  • Frontier Airlines
  • Delta
First class cabins are available on Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, and American Airlines.
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, IA (DSM) from San Diego, CA (SAN)?
If you're planning to travel to Des Moines from San Diego Intl. (SAN), you can fly directly into Des Moines Intl. (DSM). Some flights may connect through major hubs like Los Angeles Intl. (LAX), Sky Harbor Intl. (PHX), or Seattle - Tacoma Intl. (SEA) 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.
Return price
£479
Distance
2282 km
Average flight time
8 hours 49 mins

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, 3 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 £479 and range up to £480.  

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 August, 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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*Available to Expedia members.