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$80+ 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 9/19. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — SFO
Aug 19 — Aug 261
Tue 8/19
Tue 8/26
1 adult, Economy
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Cheapflights Tip: The best prices from Des Moines to San Francisco are usually found in August or September, booked 15 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 August 14, 2025.

Round-trip from

$149
(CheapOair)

One-way from

$80
(CheapOair)

Popular in

March

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$388
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. 6% potential increase in price ($29 potential increase over avg. RT price).
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Cheapest flight prices on average. 1% potential price decrease ($5 potential savings vs. average RT price).
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Average for round-trip flights in August 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 August 14, 2025.

This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. 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 10/32:25 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 51mFrontier
Mon 10/66:29 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 11mFrontier
Deal found 8/13$149
This FlightHub deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. 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 FlightHub is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Mon 11/108:44 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop5h 30mFrontier
Thu 11/1310:43 amSFO - DSM
1 stop7h 16mFrontier
Deal found 8/13$166
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/14. 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 9/182:25 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop19h 50mFrontier
Mon 9/226:29 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 11mFrontier
Deal found 8/14$168
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/14. 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.
Mon 9/222:25 pmDSM - SFO
2 stops10h 50mFrontier
Mon 9/296:29 amSFO - DSM
1 stop5h 11mFrontier
Deal found 8/14$189
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/14. 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.
Mon 9/152:25 pmDSM - SFO
1 stop11h 51mFrontier
Thu 9/1810:37 pmSFO - DSM
2 stops13h 03mFrontier
Deal found 8/14$210
This CheapOair deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/13. 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 8/13$216
This Frontier deal was found by Cheapflights users on 8/14. 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 9/52:25 pmDSM - SFO
2 stops11h 50mFrontier
Sun 9/75:37 pmSFO - DSM
2 stops18h 03mFrontier
Deal found 8/14$219

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 August 14, 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

Sun 9/7

2:25 pm-9:50 am

1 stop21h 25m

San Francisco

Sun 9/14

6:29 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 11m

$149

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 10/24

2:37 pm-12:14 am

1 stop11h 37m

San Francisco

Mon 10/27

6:34 am-1:52 pm

1 stop5h 18m

$149

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 10/3

2:25 pm-12:16 am

1 stop11h 51m

San Francisco

Mon 10/6

6:29 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 11m

$149

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 9/5

2:25 pm-12:16 am

1 stop11h 51m

San Francisco

Sun 9/7

6:29 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 11m

$149

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 11/10

8:44 pm-12:14 am

1 stop5h 30m

San Francisco

Thu 11/13

10:43 am-7:59 pm

1 stop7h 16m

$166

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Thu 9/18

2:25 pm-8:15 am

1 stop19h 50m

San Francisco

Mon 9/22

6:29 am-1:40 pm

1 stop5h 11m

$168

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Fri 9/19

2:25 pm-12:16 am

1 stop11h 51m

$80

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 11/3

2:32 pm-12:14 am

1 stop11h 42m

$80

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Thu 9/4

2:25 pm-12:16 am

1 stop11h 51m

$85

Des MoinesSan Francisco

DSM - SFO

DSMSFO

Des Moines

Mon 8/25

3:08 pm-12:19 am

1 stop11h 11m

$105

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 8/14

Showing 1-10 of 15 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 $358). 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 August 14, 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.

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 August 14, 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
4,244 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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
4,244 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,244 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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
7,980 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,244 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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
8,916 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,244 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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
4,244 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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
3,217 reviews
Southwest
8.0
Very good
4,244 reviews

Crew

8.6

Boarding

8.1

Food

7.0

Comfort

8.0

Entertainment

7.5

Overall

8.0

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.

  • 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 $110 on this airline. Additional options worth looking into are Delta and Southwest, starting at $265 and $350 round-trip. Frontier is currently priced 75% 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 $358). 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
Mountain View
Turlock
Santa Clara
Hollister
Antioch
Watsonville
Manteca
Sunnyvale
Newark
Milpitas
Campbell
Foster City
San Leandro
Burlingame
Redwood City
Vallejo

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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 August 14, 2025.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
FrontierCheapest$110Average$255FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time62%
DeltaCheapest$265Average$424FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A
SouthwestCheapest$350Average$430FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time63%
American AirlinesCheapest$350Average$429FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
United AirlinesCheapest$356Average$507FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time69%

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