To Des Moines

Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines

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RatePunk searches hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to Des Moines

Prices updated 24 days ago

486,190 searches this week

171 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated May 29, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Chicago to Des Moines

Round trip

Sort by: Cheapest

October 20 - October 25

Cheapest

Best

ORD - Des Moines

$300

$196

Round trip

August 12 - August 18

ORD - Des Moines

$148

$210

Round trip

October 13 - October 25

ORD - Des Moines

$274

$222

Round trip

August 18 - August 27

ORD - Des Moines

$268

$226

Round trip

August 18 - August 23

ORD - Des Moines

$288

$228

Round trip

August 18 - September 13

ORD - Des Moines

$241

$229

Round trip

October 4 - October 14

RFD - Des Moines

$315

$232

Round trip

August 12 - August 13

ORD - Des Moines

$157

$234

Round trip

August 6 - August 10

ORD - Des Moines

$293

$240

Round trip

July 14 - July 21

Earliest

ORD - Des Moines

$164

$253

Round trip

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to Des Moines and get alerts when great deals appear

Route Intelligence — 486,190 Searches this Week

Insights for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Flights from Chicago to Des Moines cover a distance of 480 kilometers, classifying this as a short-haul route. This means you can expect a relatively quick journey between the two cities. Right now, if you are looking for cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines, fares are below the typical level, with only 1% of recent fares classified as a good price. Prices for this route typically range from $137–$209, with a median of $165.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines? You'll find the most affordable fares in July, with a median price of $127. June also offers competitive pricing, with a median of $135, followed closely by September at a median of $137. These months present the best opportunities for securing lower-cost travel.

For travelers seeking direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines, you'll be pleased to know that almost all itineraries are non-stop, with a direct share of 89.8%. This high percentage of non-stop options ensures a more convenient and quicker journey. For the remaining itineraries that do include connections, they typically involve 3 stopovers.

How long is the flight from Chicago to Des Moines? A typical journey, including any connections, takes approximately 1h 32m. This median duration reflects the overall travel time you can expect for this route. New deals for this route show up several times a week, so it is worth monitoring prices if you are planning a trip.

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Des Moines

Regular price: $237 - $365

Prices are currently below the regular range for flights from Chicago to Des Moines.

The regular price range for flights from Chicago to Des Moines is between $237 and $365. The current lowest deal is $196 with Frontier Airlines, for travel from Oct 20-Oct 25.

now $196

Low $237

High $365

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

The cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Des Moines is July, with a median price of $127. The most expensive month is February, with a median price of $395. Prices are generally lower from January to October.

July

Cheapest

Flights from $127

February

Most Expensive

Flights from $395

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines

American Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Des Moines

Wed, Jun 17

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Deutsche Luft Hansa

$347

$654

One-way

Wed, Jun 17

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Deutsche Luft Hansa

$408

$654

One-way

Fri, Jun 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Deutsche Luft Hansa

$331

$488

One-way

Fri, Jun 19

⌛ Last-Minute

ORD - Des Moines

Chicago (ORD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Frontier Airlines

$346

$497

One-way

Sat, Jun 20

⌛ Last-Minute

RFD - Des Moines

Chicago (RFD) - Des Moines (DSM)

Allegiant Air

$397

$455

One-way

Mon, Jun 22

⌛ Last-Minute

MDW - Des Moines

Chicago (MDW) - Des Moines (DSM)

Southwest Airlines

$406

$477

One-way

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

5 nights

Oct 20 - Oct 25

$300 → $196

35%

10 nights

Oct 4 - Oct 14

$315 → $232

26%

2 nights

Aug 21 - Aug 23

$327 → $265

19%

5 nights

Aug 18 - Aug 23

$288 → $228

21%

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

Chicago - Des Moines route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

Recent fares from Chicago to Des Moines are below the typical level, with deals around $137.

📅 Best time to fly

July is historically the cheapest month to fly

Historically, July is the cheapest month to fly from Chicago to Des Moines, with a median price of $127.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 1h 32m

Direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines typically take 1h 32m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

89.8% of recent deals are direct

89.8% of recent deals from Chicago to Des Moines are for direct flights.

🏆 Airline highlight

American Airlines offers direct flights

American Airlines offers direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals appear regularly for this route

Deals for flights from Chicago to Des Moines appear regularly, with 0.23 deals per day.

Chicago main airports to depart from

O Hare International (ORD)

Cheapest

Fly from O'Hare International for a potentially cheaper option to Des Moines.

📍 ~25 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$196

Chicago Midway International (MDW)

Consider Chicago Midway International for flights to Des Moines.

📍 ~15 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car or train)

💸 Flights from ~$253

Chicago Rockford International (RFD)

Chicago Rockford International offers another departure choice for your trip to Des Moines.

📍 ~120 km from Chicago city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$252

Des Moines main airports to arrive at

Des Moines International (DSM)

Cheapest

Des Moines International Airport is a good choice for direct access to Des Moines.

📍 ~8 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$196

Airports nearby Des Moines used as alternative

Eppley Airfield (OMA)

Consider Eppley Airfield for significantly more flight options and carriers, including Business and First Class.

📍 ~170 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$216

The Eastern Iowa (CID)

Cheapest

The Eastern Iowa offers a substantial regional alternative with diverse airlines and competitive pricing.

📍 ~180 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$187

Waterloo Regional (ALO)

Waterloo Regional is a closer option with quick security, though it has limited flight schedules and destinations.

📍 ~150 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$203

Fort Dodge Regional (FOD)

Fort Dodge Regional is the geographically closest alternative, providing a low-stress environment with minimal crowds.

📍 ~110 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$197

Sioux Gateway (SUX)

Sioux Gateway can be an alternative regional gateway for western Iowa travelers, sometimes offering lower fares.

📍 ~240 km from Des Moines (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$225

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Des Moines

44% AI deal score

$483

From ORD

Elite

Aug 18

Des Moines, United States

44% AI deal score

$483

From ORD

Elite

Jul 14

Des Moines, United States

44% AI deal score

Des Moines, United States

32% AI deal score

$1,263

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can often reveal better deals. Looking into flights with layovers may also present cheaper options than direct routes.

Booking flights in advance, often several weeks or months before your intended departure, can sometimes lead to lower prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares over time may help you identify a good booking window. Weekday travel can sometimes be more economical than weekend travel.

Comparing nearby airports for both your origin and destination can sometimes uncover more affordable flight options. While it may add to your ground transportation time, the savings on airfare can occasionally be significant. Always factor in the total cost and convenience when considering this approach.

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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Today’s best flight deals from Chicago to Des Moines

Unlock all 500+ flight deals to Des Moines and get alerts when great deals appear

Route Intelligence — 486,190 Searches this Week

Insights for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

How much is a round trip from Chicago to Des Moines

The cheapest time to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

Direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Last-minute flights going from Chicago to Des Moines

Biggest price drops on these dates for flights from Chicago to Des Moines

Popular Airports to fly from Chicago to Des Moines

Chicago - Des Moines route insights

Recent fares are below the typical level

July is historically the cheapest month to fly

Direct flights take 1h 32m

89.8% of recent deals are direct

American Airlines offers direct flights

Deals appear regularly for this route

Chicago main airports to depart from

Des Moines main airports to arrive at

Airports nearby Des Moines used as alternative

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Des Moines

Best Elite deals to Des Moines

Aug 15

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Sep 25

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Des Moines

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

How can I find cheap flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

When should I book flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

Should I compare nearby airports for flights from Chicago to Des Moines?

Are direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines always the best option?

Are direct flights from Chicago to Des Moines always the best option?

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Des Moines flights?

Can flexible travel dates help on Chicago to Des Moines flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Des Moines flights?

What extra costs should I check before booking Chicago to Des Moines flights?

Related routes

Consider alternative routes from Chicago