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$136+ Cheap flights from San Francisco to Des Moines (SFO - DSM)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 8/11. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
SFO — DSM
Jun 17 — Jun 241
Tue 6/17
Tue 6/24
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from San Francisco to Des Moines are usually found in September or October, booked 81 days in advance, depart on a Wednesday or Thursday and return on a Thursday

Cheap flight deals from San Francisco to Des Moines

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from San Francisco (SFO) to Des Moines (DSM). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated June 12, 2025.

Round-trip from

$260
(Frontier)

One-way from

$136
(Frontier)

Popular in

December

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$471
From San Francisco to Des Moines
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One-way flight from San Francisco to Des Moines
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 11% potential increase in price ($59 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($14 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in June 2025
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Find flight deals from San Francisco to Des Moines

Cheapest flights from San Francisco to Des Moines
Explore the most affordable flight options available from San Francisco to Des Moines. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on June 12, 2025.

This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Frontier is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 7/116:37 amSFO - DSM
1 stop10h 11mFrontier
Mon 7/147:33 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop6h 46mFrontier
Deal found 6/10$260
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 8/121:55 pmSFO - DSM
1 stop7h 05mUnited Airlines
Wed 8/136:00 amDSM - SFO
1 stop5h 45mUnited Airlines
Deal found 6/10$292
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 8/412:50 amSFO - DSM
1 stop7h 26mDelta
Wed 8/1311:23 amDSM - SFO
1 stop9h 29mDelta
Deal found 6/10$297
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 8/127:00 amSFO - DSM
2 stops8h 43mAmerican Airlines
Wed 8/139:28 amDSM - SFO
1 stop9h 15mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 6/10$302
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Southwest is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 8/125:15 amSFO - DSM
2 stops7h 25mSouthwest
Wed 8/133:25 pmDSM - SFO
2 stops8h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 6/10$316
This Alaska Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Alaska Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 8/57:00 amSFO - DSM
2 stops14h 59mAlaska Airlines
Tue 8/195:30 amDSM - SFO
2 stops14h 43mAlaska Airlines
Deal found 6/10$617
This Expedia deal was found by Cheapflights users on 6/10. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Expedia is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 6/166:37 amSFO - DSM
1 stop11h 16mMultiple Airlines
Thu 6/191:58 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop10h 08mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 6/10$630

Cheapflights Fare Finder

Customize your flight search to find flights from San Francisco to Des Moines that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated June 12, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from San Francisco to Des Moines that are best for you.

Fly from

San Francisco

Fly to

Des Moines

Route

Depart

Return

Price

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Fri 7/11

6:37 am-6:48 pm

1 stop10h 11m

Des Moines

Mon 7/14

7:33 pm-12:19 am

1 stop6h 46m

$260

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Tue 8/12

1:55 pm-11:00 pm

1 stop7h 05m

Des Moines

Wed 8/13

6:00 am-9:45 am

1 stop5h 45m

$292

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Mon 8/4

12:50 am-10:16 am

1 stop7h 26m

Des Moines

Wed 8/13

11:23 am-6:52 pm

1 stop9h 29m

$297

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Tue 8/12

7:00 am-5:43 pm

2 stops8h 43m

Des Moines

Wed 8/13

9:28 am-4:43 pm

1 stop9h 15m

$302

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Tue 8/12

5:15 am-2:40 pm

2 stops7h 25m

Des Moines

Wed 8/13

3:25 pm-9:25 pm

2 stops8h 00m

$316

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Tue 8/5

7:00 am-11:59 pm

2 stops14h 59m

Des Moines

Tue 8/19

5:30 am-6:13 pm

2 stops14h 43m

$617

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Mon 8/11

6:37 am-6:48 pm

1 stop10h 11m

$136

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Wed 8/13

12:10 pm-8:57 pm

1 stop6h 47m

$149

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Tue 8/12

7:00 am-5:43 pm

2 stops8h 43m

$154

San FranciscoDes Moines

SFO - DSM

SFODSM

San Francisco

Wed 7/2

12:15 pm-11:15 pm

2 stops9h 00m

$184

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 6/9

Showing 1-10 of 12 results
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Best time to book a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Des Moines from San Francisco with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from San Francisco to Des Moines

How far ahead should I book a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from San Francisco to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on June 9, 2025.

The best time to book flights from San Francisco to Des Moines is 81 days before your desired departure date. The cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight.

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines?

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from San Francisco to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $411). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

What is the cheapest time of day to fly from SFO to DSM?

Find hourly flight availability from San Francisco to Des Moines. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated June 12, 2025.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines at noon. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 24% on your trip compared to booking a flight in the morning.

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

Use this chart to determine the cheapest time to fly round-trip from San Francisco to Des Moines. Price data was last updated on December 16, 2024.

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their San Francisco to Des Moines flight should consider departing on Wednesday evenings when fares are most often at their lowest. Sunday afternoons flights should be avoided if possible as fares are typically the most expensive at this time.

Rainfall in Des Moines by month

Plan your trip to Des Moines by taking into account the average rainfall totals by month.

In terms of precipitation, rainfall in Des Moines ranges from 1.0 - 4.9 inches per month. June is typically the wettest month, when rainfall can reach 4.9 in. January is typically the driest time to visit Des Moines when rainfall is around 1.0 in.

Temperature in Des Moines by month

Plan your trip to Des Moines by taking into account the average temperature totals by month.

If weather is an important factor for your trip to Des Moines, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, July is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 77.0 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of January, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 23.0 F).

Reviews of airlines servicing Des Moines

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Des Moines. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Des Moines. Reviews last updated June 12, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Alaska Airlines, Southwest and Delta from San Francisco to Des Moines. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,287 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,950 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,790 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Entertainment

7.1

Crew

8.5

Overall

8.0

Comfort

7.8

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Reviews

1 / 20
10.0
Excellent

James,Apr 2025

LAX - SFO

Good flight except the uncontrollable cold air from the ceiling.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from San Francisco to Des Moines. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from San Francisco to Des Moines round-trip?

    Frontier, at $260, was found to be the cheapest airline from San Francisco to Des Moines.Alternate airlines to your destination round-trip include United Airlines and Delta. Users have found that Frontier is 43% cheaper than the other options available to this destination.

  • What are the cheapest airlines to fly from San Francisco to Des Moines one-way?

    For one-way options, check prices for Frontier. According to our data, you can fly for as low as $136. Users have also found prices from $149 and $154 on Delta and American Airlines, respectively.

  • Can I find deals for flights from San Francisco to Des Moines that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on San Francisco to Des Moines flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from San Francisco to Des Moines?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from San Francisco to Des Moines.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from San Francisco to Des Moines?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from San Francisco to Des Moines by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from San Francisco to Des Moines (average of $336). Flying from San Francisco to Des Moines in June is currently the most expensive (average of $411). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near San Francisco?

Book flights to San Francisco if you plan to visit one of these locations
Altoona
Ames
Johnston
Boone
West Des Moines
Ankeny

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Top 5 airlines flying from San Francisco to Des Moines

Discover the top 5 airlines that operate flights from San Francisco to Des Moines. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated June 12, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$111Average$278FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$295Average$404FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
American AirlinesCheapest$316Average$484FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$331Average$432FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
United AirlinesCheapest$352Average$529FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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