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DSM - SAN

$97 Find Cheap Flights from Des Moines to San Diego - Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$192
Typical prices: $359-$501
Frontier
Fri 10/26Mon 10/29
DSM - SAN • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$97
Typical prices: $176-$315
Frontier
Fri 10/26
DSM - SAN • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Des Moines and San Diego. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to book
23 weeks
in advance
Our data shows that travelers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 50% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
October
Cheapest • 13% price drop
June
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
Cheapest • Avg $360 (round-trip)
Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX)
Shortest trip • 5h 34m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to San Diego!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Flight Deals

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

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent round-trip flight deals from Des Moines to San Diego

Mon, Oct 26 - Thu, Oct 29
Frontier Logo
8:25 pm - 3:58 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
21h 33m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
4:53 pm - 7:35 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
24h 42m1 stop Denver Intl
$192Frontier
Mon, Nov 9 - Thu, Nov 12
Frontier Logo
8:30 pm - 3:58 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
21h 28m1 stop Denver Intl
Frontier Logo
4:53 pm - 7:35 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
24h 42m1 stop Denver Intl
$203Frontier
Mon, Oct 26 - Mon, Nov 2
Multiple Airlines Logo
9:11 pm - 6:38 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
23h 27m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl San Francisco
Multiple Airlines Logo
6:25 am - 7:35 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
11h 10m1 stop Denver Intl
$242Multiple Airlines
Mon, Nov 9 - Thu, Nov 19
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:30 pm - 3:58 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
21h 28m1 stop Denver Intl
Multiple Airlines Logo
8:20 pm - 8:41 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
22h 21m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$251Multiple Airlines
Sat, Feb 20 - Thu, Feb 25
Southwest Logo
2:05 pm - 5:10 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
5h 05m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
Southwest Logo
8:20 am - 4:05 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
5h 45m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$252Southwest
Sat, Nov 7 - Wed, Nov 11
American Airlines Logo
7:23 am - 12:39 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
7h 16m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
6:25 am - 2:11 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
5h 46m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl
$257American Airlines
Thu, Nov 5 - Mon, Nov 9
American Airlines Logo
7:37 pm - 11:56 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
6h 19m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth
American Airlines Logo
10:40 pm - 8:46 amSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
8h 06m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$257American Airlines
Wed, Nov 11 - Tue, Nov 17
Southwest Logo
3:30 pm - 11:25 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
9h 55m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
10:55 am - 5:50 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
4h 55m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl
$257Southwest
Mon, Nov 9 - Tue, Nov 17
Delta Logo
7:55 pm - 11:53 pmDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
5h 58m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
6:25 am - 2:08 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
5h 43m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$257Delta
Sat, Dec 5 - Tue, Dec 8
Delta Logo
6:41 am - 11:15 amDSM  Des Moines-SAN San Diego
6h 34m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
12:31 pm - 9:31 pmSAN  San Diego-DSM Des Moines
7h 00m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$257Delta
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Des Moines to San Diego flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights with more confidence.

How much is a round-trip flight from Des Moines to San Diego?

Round-trip flights from Des Moines to San Diego typically range from $359 to $501. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $192, on Frontier.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to San Diego?

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Saturday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Des Moines to San Diego. It’s 10% cheaper than the average day, while Monday is the most expensive, with prices 15% higher.

What’s the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to San Diego?

•October is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to San Diego at $360 round-trip.
•November ($516) and July ($466) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 43% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are flights from Des Moines to San Diego the cheapest?

Flights from Des Moines to San Diego are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 50% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Find deals

Key details for Des Moines to San Diego flights

Low season

November

Cheapest flight

$97
Beat the crowds with an average 29% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 35% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Des Moines to San Diego

When to book flights from Des Moines to San Diego

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Des Moines to San Diego based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated round-trip price

Your Des Moines to San Diego flight questions, answered

Find helpful answers about this route, including flight times, airports, airlines and booking tips.

  • What cabin classes can I book on flights from Des Moines to San Diego?

    Two cabin classes are available on flights from Des Moines to San Diego:

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Des Moines to San Diego?

    A nonstop flight from Des Moines to San Diego takes 00m, covering 1,425 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Des Moines to San Diego?

    No, a passport is not required for this domestic route, but you will need a real ID-compliant driver's license, a state ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification.

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Des Moines to San Diego flight?

    Round-trip flights from Des Moines to San Diego range from $359 to $501, with an average of $413 over the past 12 months. Anything below $359 counts as a good deal.

  • How expensive are last-minute Des Moines to San Diego flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within two weeks of departure) run 78% above the $413 route average. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • Have flight prices from Des Moines to San Diego changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, round-trip prices on this route showed a wide range, from about $192 to $1,793. That means the highest observed fare was about 9x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Des Moines to San Diego looking right now?

    One-way fares from Des Moines to San Diego are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $126, which is 45% below the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at San Diego Airport (SAN)?

    San Diego Airport (SAN) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $14 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Dollar
    • Payless
    • Europcar
    • Thrifty
    • Fox

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Des Moines to San Diego?

    Flights from Des Moines to San Diego usually depart from Des Moines (DSM) and arrive at San Diego (SAN).

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Des Moines to San Diego pass through?

    One-stop flights from Des Moines to San Diego most commonly connect through:

    • Denver Intl (DEN) - 48% of one-stop connections
    • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 34% of one-stop connections
    • Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) - 7% of one-stop connections
    • Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) - 6% of one-stop connections

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Des Moines to San Diego?

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 22% on flights from Des Moines to San Diego. Saturday is the cheapest departure day at $374 round-trip on average, while Monday is the most expensive at $478, a difference of $104.

    Cheaper weekend fares like these are typical of routes dominated by weekday business travel.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from Des Moines to San Diego?

    Flying via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 5h 34m, compared with 6h 12m via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) and 6h 13m via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

  • What is the time difference between Des Moines and San Diego?

    San Diego is 2 hours behind Des Moines (Pacific Time vs Central Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in San Diego?

    Some of the most popular sights in San Diego are Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Convention Center and SeaWorld San Diego. These are among the most viewed places in San Diego on KAYAK.

  • Where can I park at DSM before my flight to San Diego?

    The Long-Term Premium and Long-Term Parking Lots are close enough that you can walk to the terminal. However, the more affordable options, the Blue Lot Economy 2, the Green Lot Economy 3, and the Gray Lot Economy 4, are not within walking distance. But you can take a free shuttle from the Economy Lots to the terminals. At DSM, you cannot reserve parking in advance, but the homepage on the DSM website keeps track of how much space is available in each lot and the Live Shuttle Tracker tells you when the next shuttle is coming.

  • Does DSM provide facilities for nursing moms?

    Yes. There is a Mamava lactation suite located just after the TSA checkpoint near the DSM police desk. Regardless of which concourse you're going to, everyone passes through the same security checkpoint in the main terminal. Each freestanding Mamava unit contains a fold-down table, bench seating on either side, a USB port, an electrical outlet, a coat hook, and a mirror.

  • Does SAN have a military lounge?

    Yes. The USO at SAN is in Terminal 2, landslide. If you are traveling soldier or a member of a military family who wants to relax, regroup, or refresh after your flight from Des Moines, you can visit the USO and enjoy its benefits and facilities free of charge. Amenities include showers, comfortable seating, refreshments, TV, unlimited domestic calls, and much more.

  • Where can I pick up my rental car at SAN?

    All car rental companies are located in a separate building outside the SAN airport. At the Arrivals curb, you can catch a free shuttle to whichever car rental agency you need to go to. Some car rental agencies at San Diego Airport include Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Alamo, Hertz, Firefly, National, and more.

Your guide to booking Des Moines to San Diego flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Saturday departure and avoid flying on Monday. On this route, Saturday flights average $374, about $104 less than Monday fares (22% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 50% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Des Moines to San Diego trip for October. Fares historically average $360 round-trip in that month - typically $156 less than the most expensive month, which is November (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to San Diego Airport.

    • Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy
    • Bay Club Hotel & Marina
    • Sheraton San Diego Resort
  • Located virtually in the center of the state of Iowa, the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air. The San Diego International Airport (SAN), located on the Pacific coast in California just north of the Mexican border, is a hub for Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and other smaller airlines.
  • Though is unlikely you will find a direct flight from Des Moines to San Diego, you can find one-stop flights on several airlines, such as United, often with a stop in Denver. Southwest, American, and Delta also have one-stop flights with layovers in cities such as Dallas, Phoenix, Minneapolis, in Atlanta. United, American, and Delta are among the airlines offering two-stop flights as well.
  • There is one animal relief area at DSM located outside the terminal. So, remember to make sure that your service animal or your pet goes to the bathroom before you enter the airport and go through security. This animal relief area is north of the Skywalk next to the parking garage.
  • A baggage claim at SAN, you can find the service Traveler’s Aid. Open every day from 8 am to 11 pm, Travelers Aid helps passengers who are stranded or distressed. For example, if your accommodation plans have fallen through, if your money has been lost or stolen, or if you need transportation assistance, Travelers Aid is there to help.
  • If you feel stiff and sore after your flight from Des Moines, consider getting a massage at one of the two Be Relax Spa locations at the San Diego Airport. There is one spa location at Gate 26 in Terminal 2 and another location atG ate 36 in Terminal 2. These spas are open daily from 7 am to 8 pm.

More options for your flight from Des Moines to San Diego

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