San Diego

$104+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to San Diego (DSM - SAN)

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 11/3. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SAN
Nov 26 — Dec 31
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1. Tell us where you want to go

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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to San Diego are usually found in June or August, booked 22 days in advance, depart on a Monday or Wednesday and return on a Friday

Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to San Diego

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego (SAN). 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 October 27, 2025.

Most accurate provider

eDreams
3 stars

Most trusted provider

eDreams
3 stars

Round-trip from

$122
(Kiwi.com)

One-way from

$104
(Booking.com)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

June

Average price

$359
Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-San Diego flight deals.
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-San Diego flights.
From Des Moines to San Diego
One-way flight from Des Moines to San Diego
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 16% potential increase in price ($71 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Cheapest flight prices on average. 3% potential price decrease ($11 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Average for round-trip flights in October 2025

Find flight deals from Des Moines to San Diego

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to San Diego
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to San Diego. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on October 27, 2025.

This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/25. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 12/87:58 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 01mFrontier
Fri 12/126:34 amSAN - DSM
1 stop10h 29mFrontier
Deal found 10/25$122
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 12/198:29 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop24h 46mMultiple Airlines
Tue 12/231:06 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop23h 04mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 10/26$185
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/26. 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 Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 11/62:41 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop27h 19mFrontier
Wed 11/121:37 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop22h 19mFrontier
Deal found 10/26$208
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/25. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 12/208:29 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop24h 46mFrontier
Sun 12/284:47 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop24h 57mFrontier
Deal found 10/25$223
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/25. 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 Booking.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 11/92:32 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop11h 18mFrontier
Thu 11/136:00 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop17h 49mFrontier
Deal found 10/25$231
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 11/102:32 pmDSM - SAN
2 stops31h 52mMultiple Airlines
Thu 11/133:59 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop28h 41mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 10/26$236
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/25. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 12/38:00 amDSM - SAN
1 stop11h 53mMultiple Airlines
Sun 12/72:02 pmSAN - DSM
2 stops27h 01mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 10/25$238
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 11/92:17 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop24h 18mMultiple Airlines
Thu 11/133:59 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop28h 41mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 10/26$245
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 10/26. 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 Kiwi.com is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sun 11/92:17 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop24h 18mMultiple Airlines
Wed 11/126:41 amSAN - DSM
2 stops38h 22mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 10/26$259

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to San Diego 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 October 27, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to San Diego that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

San Diego

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Sun 12/7

4:21 pm-7:15 pm

2 stops28h 54m

San Diego

Sun 12/14

4:47 pm-7:03 pm

1 stop24h 16m

$292

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Mon 11/24

11:28 am-8:13 pm

1 stop10h 45m

San Diego

Thu 11/27

6:30 am-2:08 pm

1 stop5h 38m

$293

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Wed 12/10

5:21 am-11:57 am

1 stop8h 36m

San Diego

Wed 12/17

4:25 pm-11:59 pm

1 stop5h 34m

$296

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 12/9

2:59 pm-8:42 pm

1 stop7h 43m

San Diego

Tue 12/16

6:20 am-5:03 pm

1 stop8h 43m

$297

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 12/2

4:59 pm-11:44 pm

1 stop8h 45m

San Diego

Sat 12/13

6:20 am-2:26 pm

1 stop6h 06m

$297

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Thu 11/6

2:41 pm-11:50 pm

1 stop11h 09m

San Diego

Mon 11/10

6:41 am-1:47 pm

1 stop5h 06m

$305

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 12/9

8:20 am-2:15 pm

1 stop7h 55m

San Diego

Thu 12/11

7:10 am-3:35 pm

1 stop6h 25m

$320

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Thu 12/4

6:17 am-2:12 pm

1 stop9h 55m

San Diego

Sat 12/13

10:30 pm-10:38 am

1 stop10h 08m

$320

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Fri 11/7

2:32 pm-11:50 pm

1 stop11h 18m

San Diego

Sun 11/9

6:41 am-1:47 pm

1 stop5h 06m

$328

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 12/9

1:31 pm-7:52 pm

2 stops8h 21m

San Diego

Thu 12/11

11:02 am-8:48 pm

2 stops7h 46m

$330

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 10/25

Showing 1-10 of 18 results
1
2

Compare providers for flights from Des Moines to San Diego

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Des Moines to San Diego in October.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*1 star
eDreamsPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*3 stars
PricelinePrice Accuracy1 starTrust Score*3 stars
JustAirTicketPrice Accuracy-Trust Score*1 star

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-San Diego flights, users find the pricing of eDreams to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. eDreams Users can find the same prices on Des Moines-San Diego flight deals on Cheapflights vs. eDreams >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Des Moines-San Diego flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-San Diego flights, Cheapflights users trust eDreams the most. eDreams has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Des Moines-San Diego flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to San Diego

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Diego from Des Moines 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 Des Moines to San Diego

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

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight from Des Moines to San Diego. Price data was last updated on October 24, 2025.

The price you pay for your flight from Des Moines to San Diego may vary depending on when you book. For the best chance of a lower fare, look to book 22 days in advance of your trip. Fares are likely to increase a fortnight or so before your departure date.

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

Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to San Diego (average of $100). Flying from Des Moines to San Diego in December is currently the most expensive (average of $150). 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 DSM to SAN?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to San Diego. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated October 27, 2025.

One of the essential ways to save on airfare from Des Moines to San Diego is to remain as flexible as possible. Flights that are in the morning tend to be the most expensive. A flight at noon could potentially save you up to 60% on airfare.

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

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

Travelers seeking maximum savings on their Des Moines to San Diego flight should consider departing on Thursday 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.

Reviews of airlines servicing San Diego

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Diego. 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 San Diego. Reviews last updated October 27, 2025.
Read through reviews of airlines operating flights from Des Moines to San Diego, such as Southwest, United Airlines, and American Airlines. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Boarding

8.1

Overall

8.0

Crew

8.6

Reviews

1 / 20
8.0
Excellent

Walter,Aug 2025

OAK - SAN

Dozens of flights and I've never seen a row's beverages forgotten. I even went back and asked the attendant to check on them and nothing. I really hope it didn't have something to do with the Black mother with her kid in the row. Otherwise it was a typical Southwest flight, rapid boarding, tolerable leg room.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to San Diego. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.
  • How popular is this Des Moines to San Diego flight route?

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

    Departing from Des Moines to San Diego will take you 8h 36m. Airlines will cover a distance of 1425 mi. When browsing for deals, the options you’ll see will be for both nonstop flights and flights with stops.

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

    Cheapflights users have booked flights from Des Moines to San Diego round-trip from $104. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are Frontier, from $125, and Delta, from $270. You may be able to fly from Des Moines to San Diego for 72% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

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

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

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

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

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to San Diego 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 Des Moines to San Diego?

    Currently, August is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to San Diego (average of $100). Flying from Des Moines to San Diego in December is currently the most expensive (average of $150). 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 Diego?

Book flights to San Diego if you plan to visit one of these locations
El Cajon
Chula Vista
Coronado
La Mesa
Poway
Lemon Grove
Imperial Beach
National City

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Alternative routes for Des Moines to San Diego

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.

Top 6 airlines flying from Des Moines to San Diego

Discover the top 6 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to San Diego. 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 October 27, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$104Average$170FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
FrontierCheapest$125Average$228FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$270Average$361FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
United AirlinesCheapest$286Average$444FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
American AirlinesCheapest$286Average$384FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$333Average$485FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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