Flying from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM): What you need to know
Start your trip planning by checking out the ideal departure point for your flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM). Explore the options for taking off from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), the city's main airports.
Hop on a direct Chicago to Des Moines International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for around 1 hour 25 minutes.
Des Moines's timezone is UTC-6, which is the same as Chicago. Des Moines International Airport is located in Des Moines.
The most popular route is from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM), with 63 direct weekly services. If you're eager to be on your way, the earliest flight from ORD to DSM is the 7:39am American Airlines service. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 10:24pm with American Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules to live by. Be at the airport on time to board your flight from Chicago to DSM.
Peak months like July or holiday times such as Christmas and New Year will mean longer queues at check-in and security. Travelling then? Play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of international flights is a wise idea.
Airports in Chicago
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) makes it easy to travel directly to your destination. Nonstop flights from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) operate out of this terminal.
When departing from ORD, you can catch a direct flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport with United Airlines.
The preferred airline for passengers flying between ORD and DSM is United.
The most punctual carrier on this route is United. Its services arrive as scheduled 73.76% of the time.
Located around 27 kilometres from the centre of Chicago, ORD can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport is roughly 45 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to Chicago O'Hare International Airport:
70% of flights that leave from Chicago O'Hare International Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
The address for ORD is 10000 West O'Hare.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
You can book a direct Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) plane ticket with departures from Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Work out whether leaving from MDW works best for your plans.
From MDW, direct flights from Chicago to DSM are offered by Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines is the top choice for travellers flying from MDW to DSM.
MDW is around 16 kilometres from central Chicago. It takes 25 minutes or so to get to the airport by car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 30 minutes.
Got an early start? Think about checking in to one of these accommodation options near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your Chicago to DSM flight:
Chicago Midway International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 76%. This figure reflects how frequently flights departing from this airport reach their destination on schedule.
The street address for MDW is 5700 South Cicero.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD)
From central Chicago, RFD is around 145 kilometres away. It takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to get to the airport by car and 2 hours or so if you use public transport.
Sleep a little longer and still make your Chicago to Des Moines International Airport flight with plenty of time to spare. These accommodation options near Chicago Rockford International Airport make getting to the terminal a breeze if you're setting off early:
The on-time performance rating of RFD is 71%. In simpler terms, that's how often flights from this airport arrive as planned.
You'll find Chicago Rockford International Airport at 2 Airport Cir.
About Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing soon after at one of these hotels near DSM:
DSM is located at 5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 201.
Getting from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to central Des Moines
Des Moines International Airport is around 11 kilometres from the centre of Des Moines. It takes around 15 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
If you're travelling on public transport, expect a journey of roughly 30 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
Right now, ر.ق. 348 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is ر.ق. 911. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Chicago to DSM. Fares tend to rise as seats fill up, so the closer your departure date, the more expensive your ticket may be.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest Chicago to Des Moines International Airport tickets across the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your dates are flexible.
Finding a cheap plane ticket from Chicago to DSM is easy with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know when there's a price drop.
Tailor your travel plans using filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport.
The best time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
It's time to work out your travel dates for your flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM). July is the peak month for travel to Des Moines. If crowds aren't your thing, head there in December.
The warmest month in Des Moines is July, with temperatures ranging between 15ºC and 31ºC. Lock in your Chicago to DSM plane ticket then if that's your ideal forecast.
January has temperatures of between -13ºC and 2ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Des Moines
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Des Moines right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport:
There are so many things to do and see in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Science Centre of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theatre and State Historical Museum are top sights which should be on any well-planned Des Moines itinerary.
Explore more of the United States
Kansas City is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be explored after you've seen Des Moines. Around 290 kilometres away to the south, popular attractions include National WWI Museum and Memorial, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and Union Station - 2017.
Omaha is another sought-after destination in the United States and is around 193 kilometres west of Des Moines. No trip is complete without seeing Kiewit Luminarium, OUR BODY: The Universe Within and Orpheum Theatre.
