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

Flights from San Francisco to Des Moines usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Des Moines (DSM).

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

Two cabin classes are available on flights from San Francisco to Des Moines: • Economy Class • First Class

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

One-stop flights from San Francisco to Des Moines most commonly connect through: • Denver Intl (DEN) - 68% of one-stop connections • Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 11% of one-stop connections • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 8% of one-stop connections • Los Angeles (LAX) - 5% of one-stop connections Denver Intl (DEN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 44% on the San Francisco to Des Moines route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $466 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $825, a difference of $359. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

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.

How long is a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines?

A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Des Moines takes 0h 00m, covering 1,545 miles.

Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco 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 are flight prices from San Francisco to Des Moines looking right now?

One-way fares from San Francisco to Des Moines are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $193, which is 30% below the typical average for this route.

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

Flying via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 11m, compared with 6h 24m via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) and 6h 38m via Los Angeles (LAX).

What is the time difference between San Francisco and Des Moines?

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

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

Des Moines Airport (DSM) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $33 for economy cars. Top options include: • Hertz • Payless • Budget • Alamo • Avis

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

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Des Moines range from $391 to $657, with an average of $501 over the past 12 months. Anything below $391 counts as a good deal.

What is the cheapest airline to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines?

Frontier ($301) and American Airlines ($305) are the cheapest airlines to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Des Moines according to KAYAK data over the last 5 days.

What is the most popular layover airport when flying from San Francisco to Des Moines?

Denver Intl (DEN) is the most popular layover for the San Francisco to Des Moines route. 68% of KAYAK users who booked 1-stop round-trips over the past 3 months connected via DEN.

What is the cheapest layover airport when flying from San Francisco to Des Moines?

Flights via Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS) offer the most affordable fares, with an average round-trip price of $432. Based on KAYAK data over the past 3 months.

When flying from San Francisco to Des Moines which airport offers the shortest layover?

Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) had the shortest average connection time for San Francisco to Des Moines layovers at 214 minutes over the past 3 months.

$146 CHEAP FLIGHTS from San Francisco to Des Moines (SFO - DSM)

Save 21% or more on flights. Compare deals from all over the web.

Never overpay with our price tracking tools.

Filter searches by price, airline and more to find your best flights.

Cheapest round-trip

$202

Typical prices: $391-$657

Multiple Airlines

Sat 10/20Fri 10/26

SFO - DSM • 1 stop

Cheapest one-way

$146

Typical prices: $198-$383

Frontier

Fri 10/12

SFO - DSM • 1 stop

Nonstop flights

Not available

There are currently no direct flights between San Francisco and Des Moines. You'll need to take a connecting flight to reach the destination.

Insights

When to travel

September

Cheapest • 49% price drop

June

Most popular

Good to know

Top layover airports

Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl (LAS)

Cheapest • Avg $432 (round-trip)

Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX)

Shortest trip • 6h 11m (one-way)

Insights

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KAYAK searches 100s of sites at once to find you the best travel deals.

We hope you love your trip to Des Moines!

Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Des Moines (SFO-DSM)

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

Round-trip

One-way

Last minute

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

Tue, Oct 20 - Mon, Oct 26

3:11 pm - 1:52 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

20h 41m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

9:11 pm - 2:20 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

19h 09m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$202Multiple Airlines

Thu, Nov 5 - Mon, Nov 9

2:21 pm - 9:35 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

29h 14m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

8:04 pm - 8:19 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

14h 15m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$205Multiple Airlines

Fri, Oct 16 - Fri, Oct 23

6:00 am - 7:30 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

11h 30m1 stop Denver Intl

8:25 pm - 11:05 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

16h 40m1 stop Denver Intl

$301Frontier

Sat, Oct 17 - Sat, Oct 24

11:36 pm - 8:56 amSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

7h 20m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

2:01 pm - 8:11 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 10m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

$305American Airlines

Wed, Oct 21 - Tue, Oct 27

11:00 am - 8:40 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

7h 40m1 stop Denver Intl

12:10 pm - 5:10 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

7h 00m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$306Southwest

Wed, Oct 21 - Tue, Oct 27

11:00 am - 8:40 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

7h 40m1 stop Denver Intl

12:10 pm - 7:10 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

9h 00m2 stops Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl Los Angeles

$312Southwest

Wed, Oct 14 - Tue, Oct 20

12:11 am - 9:15 amSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

7h 04m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

4:12 pm - 11:06 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 54m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

$327American Airlines

Tue, Oct 20 - Thu, Oct 22

5:00 am - 12:31 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 31m1 stop Denver Intl

6:55 pm - 12:30 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

7h 35m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

$327United Airlines

Fri, Oct 16 - Mon, Oct 19

6:00 am - 7:30 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

11h 30m1 stop Denver Intl

8:25 pm - 11:05 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

16h 40m1 stop Denver Intl

$336Frontier

Wed, Oct 28 - Thu, Oct 29

5:00 am - 12:31 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 31m1 stop Denver Intl

9:50 am - 4:20 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 30m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

$427United Airlines

Recent last minute flight deals from San Francisco to Des Moines

Wed, Sep 23 - Mon, Sep 28

3:15 pm - 9:06 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

27h 51m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

9:31 pm - 8:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

12h 43m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$330Multiple Airlines

Wed, Sep 23 - Wed, Sep 30

7:11 pm - 9:06 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

23h 55m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

2:42 pm - 8:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

19h 32m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$337Multiple Airlines

Wed, Sep 23 - Wed, Sep 30

7:11 pm - 9:06 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

23h 55m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

2:42 pm - 8:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

19h 32m1 stop Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$420Multiple Airlines

Fri, Sep 18 - Mon, Sep 21

11:42 am - 7:33 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 51m1 stop Denver Intl

8:30 pm - 12:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

5h 44m1 stop Denver Intl

$510Frontier

Mon, Sep 21 - Thu, Sep 24

6:04 am - 7:33 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

11h 29m1 stop Denver Intl

11:29 am - 12:14 amDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

14h 45m1 stop Denver Intl

$520Frontier

Wed, Sep 23 - Tue, Sep 29

8:00 am - 11:59 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

13h 59m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

5:56 pm - 11:56 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 00m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

$765American Airlines

Wed, Sep 23 - Tue, Sep 29

6:35 am - 1:55 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 20m1 stop Denver Intl

2:40 pm - 9:20 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 40m2 stops Chicago Midway Las Vegas Harry Reid Intl

$867Southwest

Wed, Sep 23 - Tue, Sep 29

8:40 am - 9:05 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

10h 25m2 stops San Diego Denver Intl

7:15 am - 1:15 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

8h 00m2 stops Denver Intl Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

$872Southwest

Fri, Sep 18 - Wed, Sep 23

7:00 am - 6:26 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

9h 26m1 stop Los Angeles

5:30 am - 7:11 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

15h 41m1 stop Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl

$914American Airlines

Wed, Sep 23 - Tue, Sep 29

5:00 am - 12:32 pmSFO San Francisco-DSM Des Moines

5h 32m1 stop Denver Intl

11:33 am - 5:23 pmDSM Des Moines-SFO San Francisco

7h 50m1 stop Denver Intl

$1,007United Airlines

Booking Insights

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

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

Prices

Airlines

Layovers

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

Thursday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines, it is 7% cheaper than the average day. Saturday is the most expensive day with flight prices 64% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines?

•September is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines at $255 round-trip.
•January ($865) and May ($790) are the most expensive months.
•The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 239% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

Find deals

Low season	February
High season	June
Cheapest flight	$146

Best time to beat the crowds with an average 43% drop in price.

Most popular time to fly and prices are also 8% lower on average.

Flight from San Francisco to Des Moines

When to book flights from San Francisco to Des Moines

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San Francisco 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

KAYAK looks at all historical flight data for each date to provide a predicted price for one-way trips or round-trips with a duration up to 40 days. While we try to provide actual minimum prices for each date, some prices are predictions and actual prices may differ.

Which airports can I use when flying from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Flights from San Francisco to Des Moines usually depart from San Francisco (SFO) and arrive at Des Moines (DSM).
What cabin classes can I book on flights from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Two cabin classes are available on flights from San Francisco to Des Moines:

• Economy Class
• First Class
Which airports do connecting flights from San Francisco to Des Moines pass through?
One-stop flights from San Francisco to Des Moines most commonly connect through:

• Denver Intl (DEN) - 68% of one-stop connections
• Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) - 11% of one-stop connections
• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 8% of one-stop connections
• Los Angeles (LAX) - 5% of one-stop connections

Denver Intl (DEN) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.
Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 44% on the San Francisco to Des Moines route. Thursday is the cheapest departure day at $466 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $825, a difference of $359. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.
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.
How long is a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines?
A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Des Moines takes 0h 00m, covering 1,545 miles.
Do I need a passport to fly from San Francisco 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 are flight prices from San Francisco to Des Moines looking right now?
One-way fares from San Francisco to Des Moines are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $193, which is 30% below the typical average for this route.
How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from San Francisco to Des Moines?
Flying via Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 6h 11m, compared with 6h 24m via Minneapolis St Paul (MSP) and 6h 38m via Los Angeles (LAX).
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 2 hours ahead of San Francisco (Central Time vs Pacific Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.
What car rental options are available at Des Moines Airport (DSM)?
Des Moines Airport (DSM) hosts 5 major car rental companies, with daily rates starting from around $33 for economy cars. Top options include:
• Hertz
• Payless
• Budget
• Alamo
• Avis
How much should I expect to pay for a San Francisco to Des Moines flight?
Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Des Moines range from $391 to $657, with an average of $501 over the past 12 months. Anything below $391 counts as a good deal.

If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Thursday departure instead of Saturday. On this route, Thursday flights average $466 - about $359 less than Saturday (44% savings) based on the last 12 months.
If you can choose when to travel, plan your San Francisco to Des Moines trip for September. Fares historically average $255 round-trip in that month - typically $610 less than the most expensive month, which is January (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
- Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center By IHG

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Des Moines

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SFO - DSM

$146 Find Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Des Moines - Compare and Save

Everything you should know

Cheap Flights from San Francisco to Des Moines (SFO-DSM)

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

Recent one-way flight deals from San Francisco to Des Moines

Recent last minute flight deals from San Francisco to Des Moines

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

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

What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines?

What is the cheapest airline to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines?

What is the most popular layover airport when flying from San Francisco to Des Moines?

What is the cheapest layover airport when flying from San Francisco to Des Moines?

When flying from San Francisco to Des Moines which airport offers the shortest layover?

Key details for San Francisco to Des Moines flights

Low season

High season

Cheapest flight

When to book flights from San Francisco to Des Moines

Your San Francisco to Des Moines flight questions, answered

Your guide to booking San Francisco to Des Moines flights

More options for your flight from San Francisco to Des Moines

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

Information on your arrival and departure airports

Cabin class types available on flights from San Francisco to Des Moines

Find direct flights to and from San Francisco and Des Moines

Flights from domestic origins to Des Moines

Flights to other popular destinations

Find deals for your return flight