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$68+ 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 8/18. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SAN
Aug 2 — Aug 91
Sat 8/2
Sat 8/9
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to San Diego are usually found in June or July, booked 22 days in advance, depart on a Monday or Tuesday 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 July 28, 2025.

Round-trip from

$167
(Mytrip)

One-way from

$68
(Cheapflightsfares)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

June

Average price

$292

Good round-trip deal

$142 or less

Good one-way deal

$85 or less
From Des Moines to San Diego
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One-way flight from Des Moines to San Diego
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 13% potential increase in price ($61 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 2% potential price decrease ($10 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in July 2025
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Price to beat on a round-trip flight from Des Moines to San Diego.
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Price to beat on a one-way flight from Des Moines to San Diego.
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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 July 28, 2025.

This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/26. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 8/152:54 pmDSM - SAN
Nonstop3h 36mMultiple Airlines
Fri 8/226:15 amSAN - DSM
1 stop14h 27mMultiple Airlines
Deal found 7/26$167
This Cheapflightsfares deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/28. 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 Cheapflightsfares is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 10/138:44 pmDSM - SAN
1 stop5h 06mFrontier
Wed 10/156:25 amSAN - DSM
1 stop6h 18mFrontier
Deal found 7/28$214
This Mytrip deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/27. 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 Mytrip is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 8/82:42 pmDSM - SAN
Nonstop3h 31mAllegiant Air
Mon 8/115:03 pmSAN - DSM
Nonstop3h 35mAllegiant Air
Deal found 7/27$262
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/25. 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 American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 9/95:10 amDSM - SAN
1 stop6h 42mAmerican Airlines
Tue 9/167:13 amSAN - DSM
1 stop6h 11mAmerican Airlines
Deal found 7/25$286
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/28. 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 11/246:20 amDSM - SAN
1 stop9h 33mDelta
Thu 11/276:20 amSAN - DSM
1 stop5h 48mDelta
Deal found 7/28$287
This Southwest deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/28. 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.
Wed 8/276:30 amDSM - SAN
2 stops7h 40mSouthwest
Sun 8/3110:45 amSAN - DSM
1 stop9h 00mSouthwest
Deal found 7/28$298
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 7/27. 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.
Thu 10/305:14 pmDSM - SAN
2 stops8h 30mUnited Airlines
Mon 11/34:10 pmSAN - DSM
1 stop5h 34mUnited Airlines
Deal found 7/27$318

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 July 28, 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

Fri 8/15

2:54 pm-4:30 pm

Nonstop3h 36m

San Diego

Fri 8/22

6:15 am-10:42 pm

1 stop14h 27m

$167

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Sun 9/7

2:25 pm-11:53 pm

1 stop11h 28m

San Diego

Sun 9/14

9:03 pm-1:40 pm

1 stop14h 37m

$229

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Fri 8/8

2:42 pm-4:13 pm

Nonstop3h 31m

San Diego

Mon 8/11

5:03 pm-10:38 pm

Nonstop3h 35m

$262

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 9/9

5:10 am-9:52 am

1 stop6h 42m

San Diego

Tue 9/16

7:13 am-3:24 pm

1 stop6h 11m

$286

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 10/7

3:00 pm-10:00 pm

2 stops9h 00m

San Diego

Fri 10/10

7:45 am-4:00 pm

1 stop6h 15m

$348

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Tue 8/19

6:15 am-10:55 am

1 stop6h 40m

San Diego

Thu 8/21

2:21 pm-11:41 pm

2 stops7h 20m

$352

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Fri 8/8

7:33 pm-11:52 pm

1 stop6h 19m

$119

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Fri 8/8

2:42 pm-4:13 pm

Nonstop3h 31m

$143

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Sun 8/3

10:31 pm-9:55 am

1 stop13h 24m

$147

Des MoinesSan Diego

DSM - SAN

DSMSAN

Des Moines

Sat 8/9

5:10 pm-10:14 pm

1 stop7h 04m

$249

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 7/25

Showing 1-10 of 13 results
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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 July 25, 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 $286). Flying from Des Moines to San Diego in March is currently the most expensive (average of $366). 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 July 28, 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 July 28, 2025.
Read through reviews of airlines operating flights from Des Moines to San Diego, such as Alaska Airlines, Southwest, and Delta. 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

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

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

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

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
4,237 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

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
7,975 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

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
8,892 reviews
Alaska Airlines
8.0
Very good
10,000 reviews

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

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

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.1

Comfort

7.8

Crew

8.5

Entertainment

7.1

Overall

8.0

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 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?

    Flights from Des Moines to San Diego have been viewed 1 times in the past calendar month.

  • 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 $229. Other airlines that can offer you cheap pricing are Allegiant Air, from $262, and American Airlines, from $286. You may be able to fly from Des Moines to San Diego for 40% less than the average price by searching for these airlines.

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

    $68 is the cheapest one-way deal found within the past few days, from Allegiant Air. You may also be able to find cheap deals on Frontier and Delta, with prices starting from $118 and $144, respectively.

  • What are the cheapest flights from Des Moines to San Diego?

    Looking at all options, your cheapest flight can be booked for $78. While the most popular route (Des Moines - San Diego) can be booked for $167 on average our data indicates $157 when flying from Des Moines to San Diego.

  • 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 $286). Flying from Des Moines to San Diego in March is currently the most expensive (average of $366). 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
Poway
National City
Lemon Grove
Imperial Beach
La Mesa
Alpine
Santee

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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 July 28, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
Allegiant AirCheapest$116Average$179FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time88%
FrontierCheapest$128Average$216FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$286Average$375FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
American AirlinesCheapest$286Average$380FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$293Average$440FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%
SouthwestCheapest$356Average$471FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%

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