Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines

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Compare Chicago to Des Moines flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Des Moines

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Flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Chicago to Des Moines? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Chicago to Des Moines flights are currently cheapest in May.

Direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Chicago to Des Moines: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Chicago to Des Moines below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Des Moines.

Chicago to Des Moines: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight foundج.م.‏ 4,598
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time1 hr, 28 mins
Most popular airlineAlaska Airlines
Average flights per week873

Finding cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines: Frequently asked questions

The best price we found for a return flight from Chicago to Des Moines is ج.م.‏ 8,617. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
1 hour and 28 minutes is the average flight time from Chicago to Des Moines.
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and SkyWest Airlines fly direct from Chicago to Des Moines.
As of March 2025, there are 873 flights per week flying from Chicago to Des Moines.
The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Des Moines is usually March 2025.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Chicago to Des Moines Airport on Friday, 4 April 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 28 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Des Moines but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Des Moines is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Flying from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM): what you need to know

  • All great adventures start at one of Chicago's main airports, O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW). Explore the options for booking a flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) departing from either of these.

  • Around 1 hour 24 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport.

  • Chicago and Des Moines (where Des Moines International Airport is located) share the UTC-5 timezone. That means you won't have to change your watch when you arrive.

  • The most popular route is from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM), with 71 direct weekly services. If you'd like to head off as soon as possible, the earliest flight from ORD to DSM is the 08:00 American Airlines option. If you prefer to travel later, the last departure is at 21:20 with United.

  • Leave enough time to make your flight from Chicago to DSM. As a general rule, turn up at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • Travelling during a peak time like August? Popular seasons (like spring break, summer and Thanksgiving) can easily add another hour at check-in and security. Be extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.

Airports in Chicago

O'Hare International Airport (ORD)

  • Fly without interruptions from O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Nonstop flights from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM) operate from here.

  • You can travel on a direct flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport with American Airlines. This top airline offers services from ORD.

  • The distance from central Chicago to ORD is about 40 kilometres. Check out travel apps like Google Maps for the quickest route, whether you prefer to drive or use public transport.

  • After a leisurely start to your holiday? Stay near O'Hare International Airport. Whether you're taking an early flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels have you covered:

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) offers nonstop flights from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM).

  • Get on your direct flight from Chicago to DSM with United. This is one of the top carriers that operates this route out of MDW.

  • On public transport, you can travel from central Chicago to MDW in around 46 minutes. The terminal is roughly 19 kilometres away, and making the journey by car will take approximately 21 minutes.

  • You're off on holiday, so why not enjoy an extra night away from home? Think about checking in to one of these hotels near Chicago Midway International Airport the day before your flight from Chicago to DSM:

About Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Getting from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to central Des Moines

  • Des Moines International Airport to the centre of Des Moines is around 14 minutes in a car. It's approximately 10 kilometres away. Find out what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing services.

  • Travelling to the centre on public transport takes about 43 minutes.

How to find the cheapest flights from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • For a one-way ticket from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport, ج.م.‏ 4,621 is the best price we've seen. You can also book a return flight starting from ج.م.‏ 8,617. These are the lowest fares right now but could change depending on availability.

  • Score cheap tickets from Chicago to DSM by booking at least 8 months ahead. According to flight price data, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.

  • Plan your trip for May. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport. If you're flexible with your travel dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest price across every month.

  • Log into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll let you know right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you from searching for cheap flight tickets from Chicago to DSM every day.

  • Customise your trip using filters. Adjust the duration, number of stops, and departure and arrival times to find the right flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport. You can also sort the results to see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' options first.

The best time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

  • July is the most popular month to catch a flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport while April is the quietest. To work out the ideal time to go to Des Moines, consider your preferred travel pace and style.

  • Think about the type of weather that'll suit your plans for Des Moines. July is known as the warmest month. Lock in your flights from Chicago to DSM sometime then and you can expect temperatures of between 15ºC and 31ºC.

  • For cooler conditions, lock in a cheap flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport in January when temperatures average between -13ºC and 2ºC.

More about Des Moines

Complete your Des Moines trip with a car rental

  • We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Chicago to Des Moines International Airport to track down your perfect ride. Check out our car rentals in Des Moines and compare your options in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to know, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.