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$99+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to San Francisco (DSM - SFO)

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 10/8. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SFO
Oct 17 — Oct 241
Fri 10/17
Fri 10/24
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to San Francisco are usually found in September or August, booked 20 days in advance, depart on a Thursday or Wednesday and return on a Wednesday

Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to San Francisco

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to San Francisco (SFO). 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 September 17, 2025.

Round-trip from

$149
(CheapOair)

One-way from

$99
(Kiwi.com)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

September

Average price

$366
From Des Moines to San Francisco
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One-way flight from Des Moines to San Francisco
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Highest demand for flights based on searches. 7% potential increase in price ($34 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 0% potential price decrease ($5 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in September 2025
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Find flight deals from Des Moines to San Francisco

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to San Francisco
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to San Francisco. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on September 17, 2025.

This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 11/72:32 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 42mFrontier
Mon 11/106:34 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 13mFrontier
Deal found 9/15$149
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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.
Wed 10/152:37 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop9h 50mFrontier
Wed 10/299:55 pmSFO - DSM
2 stops13h 52mFrontier
Deal found 9/15$189
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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.
Thu 10/302:32 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 42mFrontier
Thu 11/66:34 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 13mFrontier
Deal found 9/15$192
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 10/222:37 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop9h 50mFrontier
Sun 10/266:34 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 18mFrontier
Deal found 9/15$195
This Booking.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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 10/162:37 pmDSM - SFO
2 stops35h 42mFrontier
Thu 10/236:34 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 18mFrontier
Deal found 9/16$201
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 10/162:37 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 37mFrontier
Mon 10/206:34 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 18mFrontier
Deal found 9/16$214
This Kiwi.com deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/16. 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 10/312:32 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 42mFrontier
Fri 11/710:21 pmSFO - DSM
2 stops37h 26mFrontier
Deal found 9/16$216
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 9/15. 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 CheapOair is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Fri 9/262:25 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 51mFrontier
Sun 9/286:29 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 11mFrontier
Deal found 9/15$220

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to San Francisco 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 September 17, 2025.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to San Francisco that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

San Francisco

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 11/7

2:32 pm-12:14 am

1 stop11h 42m

San Francisco

Mon 11/10

6:34 am-1:47 pm

1 stop5h 13m

$149

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Thu 10/30

2:32 pm-12:14 am

1 stop11h 42m

San Francisco

Thu 11/6

6:34 am-1:47 pm

1 stop5h 13m

$192

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 11/14

2:34 pm-12:14 am

1 stop11h 40m

San Francisco

Mon 11/17

6:34 am-1:47 pm

1 stop5h 13m

$214

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 9/26

2:25 pm-12:15 am

2 stops11h 50m

San Francisco

Sun 9/28

6:29 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 11m

$234

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Thu 9/25

2:25 pm-12:16 am

1 stop11h 51m

San Francisco

Mon 9/29

6:29 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 11m

$235

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Wed 10/1

7:30 am-8:44 am

1 stop27h 14m

San Francisco

Sun 10/5

6:20 pm-10:37 pm

1 stop26h 17m

$314

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Thu 10/2

2:25 pm-11:15 pm

2 stops10h 50m

San Francisco

Mon 10/6

5:45 am-10:37 pm

1 stop14h 52m

$321

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Tue 10/14

11:31 am-5:20 pm

1 stop7h 49m

San Francisco

Tue 10/21

5:05 am-12:37 pm

1 stop5h 32m

$337

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Wed 12/10

11:29 am-7:24 pm

1 stop9h 55m

San Francisco

Sat 12/13

8:20 am-11:59 pm

1 stop13h 39m

$347

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 11/17

2:32 pm-4:43 pm

2 stops28h 11m

$132

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 9/17

Showing 1-10 of 19 results
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Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to San Francisco 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 Francisco

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

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from Des Moines to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $357). 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 SFO?

Find hourly flight availability from Des Moines to San Francisco. Discover flight options and departure times throughout the day, allowing you to choose a departure time that suits your schedule. Data last updated September 17, 2025.

A simple way to save on the total cost of your ticket is to fly from Des Moines to San Francisco in the afternoon. If you’re flexible enough to do this you can expect to save up to 22% on your trip compared to booking a flight in the morning.

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

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

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

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Des Moines to San Francisco?

Reviews of airlines servicing San Francisco

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to San Francisco. 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 Francisco. Reviews last updated September 17, 2025.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Southwest, Delta, and United Airlines from Des Moines to San Francisco. Users can see the overall rating for each airline as well as how each is rated in terms of entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

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.
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

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.
Delta
8.0
Very good
7,961 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

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.
United Airlines
7.4
Good
8,926 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

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.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
10,000 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

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.
Frontier
5.8
Fair
3,173 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,242 reviews

Entertainment

7.5

Food

7.0

Overall

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

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 Francisco. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

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

    Frontier can get you from Des Moines to San Francisco in just under 11h 42m. Your travel time can differ by up to . Airlines will cover a distance of 1545 mi.

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

    Our cheapest airline available from Des Moines to San Francisco is Frontier. Our recent data shows that you can find tickets from as low as $118 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Delta and American Airlines, starting at $265 and $336 round-trip. Frontier is currently priced 72% below the average price you’ll pay for this route.

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

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

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

    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 Francisco.

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

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

    Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to San Francisco (average of $276). Flying from Des Moines to San Francisco in June is currently the most expensive (average of $357). 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
Roseville
Santa Cruz
Livermore
South San Francisco
Turlock
Antioch
Watsonville
Santa Clara
Manteca
Sunnyvale
Hollister
Vacaville
Foster City
Union City
Vallejo
Burlingame
Redwood City
San Mateo
San Leandro
Lathrop

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Top 5 airlines flying from Des Moines to San Francisco

Discover the top 5 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to San Francisco. 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 September 17, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$118Average$260FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$265Average$417FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
American AirlinesCheapest$336Average$417FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
SouthwestCheapest$344Average$425FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
United AirlinesCheapest$356Average$517FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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