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

Flights from San José to Des Moines usually depart from San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and arrive at Des Moines (DSM).

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

Only Economy Class is available on flights from San José to Des Moines.

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

One-stop flights from San José to Des Moines most commonly connect through: • Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 36% of one-stop connections • Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) - 31% of one-stop connections • Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 25% of one-stop connections • Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 8% of one-stop connections Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

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

Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 27% on the San José to Des Moines route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $594 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $813, a difference of $219. 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 José to Des Moines?

A nonstop flight from San José to Des Moines takes 0h 00m, covering 2,253 miles.

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

Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

Have flight prices from San José 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 $662 to $1,528. That means the highest observed fare was about 2x higher than the lowest one.

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

One-way fares from San José to Des Moines are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $459, which is 15% above the typical average for this route.

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

Flying via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 46m, compared with 9h 07m via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) and 9h 22m via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

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

Des Moines is 1 hour ahead of San José (Central Time vs Central 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 José to Des Moines flight?

Round-trip flights from San José to Des Moines range from $581 to $762, with an average of $670 over the past 12 months. Anything below $581 counts as a good deal.

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

United Airlines ($662) and Southwest ($664) are the cheapest airlines to fly round-trip from San José to Des Moines according to KAYAK data over the last 5 days.

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

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) is the most popular layover for the San José to Des Moines route. 36% of KAYAK users who booked 1-stop round-trips over the past 3 months connected via DFW.

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

Flights via Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) offer the most affordable fares, with an average round-trip price of $611. Based on KAYAK data over the past 3 months.

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

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) had the shortest average connection time for San José to Des Moines layovers at 275 minutes over the past 3 months.

$409 CHEAP FLIGHTS from San José to Des Moines (SJO - DSM)

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Cheapest round-trip

$662

Typical prices: $581-$762

United Airlines

Sun 11/18Sun 11/25

SJO - DSM • 2 stops

Cheapest one-way

$409

Typical prices: $358-$427

Delta

Thu 1/11

SJO - DSM • 1 stop

Nonstop flights

Not available

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

Insights

When to travel

October

Cheapest • 11% price drop

July

Most popular

Good to know

Top layover airports

Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD)

Cheapest • Avg $611 (round-trip)

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

Shortest trip • 7h 46m (one-way)

Insights

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Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from San José to Des Moines (SJO-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 José to Des Moines

Wed, Nov 18 - Wed, Nov 25

11:28 pm - 7:16 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

19h 48m2 stops Newark Chicago O'Hare Intl

6:45 pm - 11:25 amDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

16h 40m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Houston George Bush Intcntl

$662United Airlines

Tue, Oct 6 - Wed, Oct 14

9:00 am - 10:00 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

12h 00m2 stops Orlando Chicago Midway

5:35 am - 7:40 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

15h 05m2 stops Chicago Midway Houston Hobby

$664Southwest

Wed, Oct 7 - Wed, Oct 14

9:00 am - 10:00 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

12h 00m2 stops Orlando Chicago Midway

5:35 am - 7:40 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

15h 05m2 stops Chicago Midway Houston Hobby

$675Southwest

Tue, Nov 24 - Wed, Dec 2

11:28 pm - 7:16 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

19h 48m2 stops Newark Chicago O'Hare Intl

8:00 am - 8:39 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

12h 39m1 stop Houston George Bush Intcntl

$681United Airlines

Wed, Nov 18 - Wed, Nov 25

2:01 pm - 10:47 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

8h 46m1 stop Miami

3:25 pm - 10:49 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

7h 24m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

$682American Airlines

Wed, Oct 7 - Thu, Oct 15

9:00 am - 10:00 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

12h 00m2 stops Orlando Chicago Midway

7:10 pm - 12:35 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

18h 25m2 stops Denver Intl Orlando

$686Southwest

Tue, Nov 17 - Wed, Nov 25

2:01 pm - 10:47 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

8h 46m1 stop Miami

3:25 pm - 10:49 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

7h 24m1 stop Dallas/Fort Worth

$689American Airlines

Sat, Nov 21 - Wed, Nov 25

1:55 pm - 5:28 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

27h 33m1 stop Chicago O'Hare Intl

9:55 am - 11:25 amDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

25h 30m2 stops Chicago O'Hare Intl Houston George Bush Intcntl

$706United Airlines

Wed, Oct 14 - Fri, Oct 23

9:00 am - 10:00 pmSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

12h 00m2 stops Orlando Chicago Midway

5:10 am - 7:40 pmDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

15h 30m2 stops Chicago Midway Houston Hobby

$707Southwest

Thu, Oct 15 - Thu, Oct 22

7:07 am - 8:35 amSJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl-DSM Des Moines

24h 28m1 stop Orlando

5:52 pm - 7:55 amDSM Des Moines-SJO San José Juan Santamaria Intl

39h 03m2 stops Fort Lauderdale Tampa

$734Multiple Airlines

Booking Insights

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

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

Prices

Airlines

Layovers

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

Round-trip flights from San José to Des Moines start at $662. Prices are typical for this route right now, with typical round-trip fares ranging from $581 to $762. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was $662 on United Airlines.

Find deals

Low season	February
High season	July
Cheapest flight	$409

Most popular time to fly with an average 14% increase in price.

Flight from San José to Des Moines

When to book flights from San José to Des Moines

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from San José 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 José to Des Moines?
Flights from San José to Des Moines usually depart from San José Juan Santamaria Intl (SJO) and arrive at Des Moines (DSM).
What cabin classes can I book on flights from San José to Des Moines?
Only Economy Class is available on flights from San José to Des Moines.
Which airports do connecting flights from San José to Des Moines pass through?
One-stop flights from San José to Des Moines most commonly connect through:

• Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - 36% of one-stop connections
• Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) - 31% of one-stop connections
• Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) - 25% of one-stop connections
• Chicago O'Hare Intl (ORD) - 8% of one-stop connections

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.
Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from San José to Des Moines?
Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 27% on the San José to Des Moines route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at $594 round-trip on average, while Saturday is the most expensive at $813, a difference of $219. 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 José to Des Moines?
A nonstop flight from San José to Des Moines takes 0h 00m, covering 2,253 miles.
Do I need a passport to fly from San José to Des Moines?
Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.
Have flight prices from San José 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 $662 to $1,528. That means the highest observed fare was about 2x higher than the lowest one.
How are flight prices from San José to Des Moines looking right now?
One-way fares from San José to Des Moines are currently higher than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about $459, which is 15% above the typical average for this route.
How much time can I save by choosing a different layover airport from San José to Des Moines?
Flying via Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time at 7h 46m, compared with 9h 07m via Houston George Bush Intcntl (IAH) and 9h 22m via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).
What is the time difference between San José and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 1 hour ahead of San José (Central Time vs Central 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 José to Des Moines flight?
Round-trip flights from San José to Des Moines range from $581 to $762, with an average of $670 over the past 12 months. Anything below $581 counts as a good deal.

If your dates can be flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure instead of Saturday. On this route, Tuesday flights average $594 - about $219 less than Saturday (27% savings) based on the last 12 months.
If you can choose when to travel, plan your San José to Des Moines trip for October. Fares historically average $594 round-trip in that month - typically $205 less than the most expensive month, which is May (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
- Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center By IHG
- Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport

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SJO - DSM

$409 Find Cheap Flights from San José to Des Moines - Compare and Save

Everything you should know

Cheap Flights from San José to Des Moines (SJO-DSM)

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

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

Recent last minute flight deals from San José to Des Moines

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key details for San José to Des Moines flights

Low season

High season

Cheapest flight

When to book flights from San José to Des Moines

Your San José to Des Moines flight questions, answered

Your guide to booking San José to Des Moines flights

More options for your flight from San José 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 José to Des Moines

Find direct flights to and from San José and Des Moines

Flights from domestic origins to Des Moines

Flights to other popular destinations

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