IND - DSM

$148 Find Cheap Flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines - Compare and Save

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1 adult, Economy, 0 bags

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Everything you should know

Cheapest round-trip
$247
Typical prices: $282-$546
American Airlines
Mon 11/19Mon 11/26
IND - DSM • 1 stop
Cheapest one-way
$148
Typical prices: $173-$278
Delta
Sun 12/30
IND - DSM • 1 stop
Nonstop flights
Not available
There are currently no direct flights between Indianapolis and Des Moines. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
August
Cheapest • 38% price drop
August
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top layover airports
Minneapolis St Paul (MSP)
Cheapest • Avg $358 (round-trip)
Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD)
Shortest trip • 4h 09m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
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We hope you love your trip to Des Moines!
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Booking Insights
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines (IND-DSM)

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

Recent round-trip flight deals from Indianapolis to Des Moines

Thu, Nov 19 - Thu, Nov 26
American Airlines Logo
9:04 pm - 12:19 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
4h 15m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
9:31 am - 3:28 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
4h 57m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$247American Airlines
Mon, Nov 16 - Wed, Nov 18
Southwest Logo
6:45 am - 11:25 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
5h 40m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
3:30 pm - 10:50 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
6h 20m1 stop Chicago Midway
$247Southwest
Mon, Nov 16 - Wed, Nov 18
Southwest Logo
6:45 am - 11:25 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
5h 40m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
6:00 am - 5:30 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
10h 30m2 stops Chicago Midway Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson
$252Southwest
Fri, Nov 27 - Fri, Dec 4
United Airlines Logo
1:40 pm - 5:28 pmIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
4h 48m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
8:00 am - 12:40 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
3h 40m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$279United Airlines
Fri, Nov 27 - Fri, Dec 4
Southwest Logo
6:50 am - 11:30 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
5h 40m1 stop Chicago Midway
Southwest Logo
6:00 am - 4:50 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
9h 50m2 stops Chicago Midway Baltimore/Washington
$284Southwest
Thu, Nov 19 - Thu, Nov 26
Delta Logo
6:35 am - 10:19 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
4h 44m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
Delta Logo
6:13 am - 11:17 amDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
4h 04m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
$295Delta
Mon, Jan 11 - Tue, Jan 12
American Airlines Logo
8:52 pm - 12:26 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
4h 34m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
10:26 am - 3:19 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
3h 53m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$295American Airlines
Thu, Dec 3 - Mon, Dec 7
American Airlines Logo
1:08 pm - 7:01 pmIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
6h 53m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
American Airlines Logo
2:05 pm - 7:26 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
4h 21m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$295American Airlines
Mon, Nov 30 - Tue, Dec 1
United Airlines Logo
1:40 pm - 7:16 pmIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
6h 36m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
United Airlines Logo
9:30 am - 2:56 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
4h 26m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl
$312United Airlines
Wed, Nov 18 - Fri, Nov 20
Delta Logo
6:39 am - 9:44 amIND  Indianapolis-DSM Des Moines
4h 05m1 stop Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County
Delta Logo
11:00 am - 3:24 pmDSM  Des Moines-IND Indianapolis
3h 24m1 stop Minneapolis St Paul
$356Delta
Booking Insights

Price, demand and travel trends for Indianapolis to Des Moines 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 Indianapolis to Des Moines?

Round-trip flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines typically range from $282 to $546. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $247, on American Airlines.

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

Based on deals KAYAK users found in the last 12 months, Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Indianapolis to Des Moines. It’s 24% cheaper than the average day, while Sunday is the most expensive, with prices 100% higher.

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

•August is the cheapest month to fly from Indianapolis to Des Moines at $226 round-trip.
•September ($731) and April ($566) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 223% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Find deals

Key details for Indianapolis to Des Moines flights

Low season

March

Cheapest flight

$148
Beat the crowds with an average 37% drop in travelers.
The most popular month to fly with an average 46% increase in travelers.
One-way flight from Indianapolis to Des Moines

When to book flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines

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

Your Indianapolis to Des Moines 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 Indianapolis to Des Moines?

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

    • Economy Class
    • First Class

  • How long is a flight from Indianapolis to Des Moines?

    A nonstop flight from Indianapolis to Des Moines takes 00m, covering 406 miles.

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

    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 Indianapolis to Des Moines flight?

    Round-trip flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines range from $282 to $546, with an average of $364 over the past 12 months. Anything below $282 counts as a good deal.

  • Have flight prices from Indianapolis to Des Moines 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 $247 to $959. That means the highest observed fare was about 4x higher than the lowest one.

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

    One-way fares from Indianapolis to Des Moines are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $539, which is 108% above the typical average for this route.

  • What car rental options are available at Des Moines Airport (DSM)?

    Des Moines Airport (DSM) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates averaging $81 for economy cars. Top options include:

    • Hertz
    • Payless
    • Budget
    • Alamo
    • Avis

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

    Flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines usually depart from Indianapolis (IND) and arrive at Des Moines (DSM).

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

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

    • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 90% of one-stop connections
    • Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) - 9% of one-stop connections
    • Chicago Midway (MDW) - 1% of one-stop connections

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

    Yes. Flexible dates can save you up to 62% on flights from Indianapolis to Des Moines. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $278 round-trip on average, while Sunday is the most expensive at $731, a difference of $453.

    KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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

    Flying via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 4h 09m, compared with 4h 21m via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) and 6h 03m via Chicago Midway (MDW).

  • What is the time difference between Indianapolis and Des Moines?

    Des Moines is 1 hour behind Indianapolis (Central Time vs Eastern Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • What popular places can I visit in Des Moines?

    Some of the most popular sights in Des Moines are UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, Science Center of Iowa and Hy Vee Hall. These are among the most viewed places in Des Moines on KAYAK.

Your guide to booking Indianapolis to Des Moines 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 Thursday departure and avoid flying on Sunday. On this route, Thursday flights average $278, about $453 less than Sunday fares (62% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Indianapolis to Des Moines trip for August. Fares historically average $226 round-trip in that month - typically $505 less than the most expensive month, which is September (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you're arriving late at night and need somewhere to stay, check out these hotels close to Des Moines Airport.

    • Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport
    • Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport
    • Homewood Suites by Hilton - Des Moines Airport

More options for your flight from Indianapolis to Des Moines

Complete your trip to Des Moines with a hotel stay or car rental

Car rentals in Des Moines
Hotels in Des Moines
Vacations in Des Moines