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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines
CHI → DSM • About 1h 20m nonstop • 3 airlines
Adults
+12 years old
Children
2-11 years old
Infants
Under 2 years
Fares shown are the lowest we have recorded recently on this route and are not a live quote. Run a search above for today's availability, or call (800) 399-8818 and an agent will price it with you.
Flights from Chicago (CHI) to Des Moines (DSM)
The Chicago to Des Moines route covers roughly 300 miles and takes about 1h 20m nonstop. 3 airlines compete on it — United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines — which keeps fares moving and makes it worth comparing carriers rather than defaulting to the one you usually fly. We have seen one-way fares on this route start around $86.
Des Moines is Iowa’s capital, with a sculpture park downtown, a farmers market that closes several city blocks each Saturday, and a gold-domed capitol above the river.
The Iowa State Fair each August is one of the largest in the country and effectively defines the city’s calendar.
Airlines flying CHI to DSM
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
Airports on this route
- Departing: Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Departing: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- Arriving: Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Chicago is served by 2 airports. Fares between them can differ by $50 to $150 on the same dates, so ask us to price all of them before you book.
Best time to fly to Des Moines
May through October. The State Fair in August is the peak.
Top things to do in Des Moines
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park
- Iowa State Capitol
- Downtown Farmers Market
- Iowa State Fair
- Des Moines Art Center
- High Trestle Trail
How to save on Chicago to Des Moines flights
- Shift your departure by one or two days — midweek departures on this route are consistently cheaper than Friday and Sunday.
- Book four to eight weeks ahead. Last-minute fares on CHI to DSM routinely run double the advance price.
- Compare all 3 carriers rather than checking one airline's own site.
- The airport is about 10 minutes from downtown.
- State Fair weeks in August fill hotels across the metro.
- The Iowa caucuses bring a surge in demand every four years.
About flights from Chicago to Des Moines
Fares on the CHI to DSM route move with demand, so flexibility is worth more than timing tricks. Shifting your departure by a day or two, flying midweek instead of Friday or Sunday, and booking four to eight weeks ahead all reduce the fare on this route. Chicago is served by 2 airports, so ask us to price all of them — the difference is often significant. Our agents also hold consolidator and unpublished fares that do not appear in online results.
United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines all operate on this route. United Airlines typically offers the most frequencies, with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines providing competing schedules. Availability varies by season and by which Chicago airport you depart from, so it is worth comparing all carriers before booking.
A nonstop flight takes about 1h 20m. Itineraries with a connection typically add two to four hours depending on the layover city and the length of the stop.
The two cities are roughly 300 miles apart by air.
Departures leave from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Arrivals land at Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
May through October. The State Fair in August is the peak.