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

Direct flights offer convenience by reducing travel time and avoiding layovers, but they are not always the most economical choice. Flights with connections can often be cheaper, especially for longer international journeys. Consider your budget and time constraints when deciding between direct and connecting flights.

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

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can significantly impact flight prices. Shifting your departure or return by a few days, or even choosing to fly during the week instead of the weekend, may lead to substantial savings. Travel search engines often allow you to view prices across a range of dates.

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

Before booking, always check for potential extra costs such as baggage fees, seat selection charges, and in-flight services. Some airlines may also charge for printing boarding passes at the airport. Factor these additional expenses into your total travel budget to avoid surprises.

Flights From Des Moines

To Athens

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Athens

Browse current best options from Des Moines. Become a member to unlock all deals and get alerts when new deals appear.

Deals from

Des Moines

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Prices updated 5 days ago

402 airlines compared

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Fares are subject to change and may not be available for all dates. (Data last updated Jul 12, 2026.)

Today’s best flight deals from Des Moines to Athens

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Des Moines to Athens

Round trip

Sort by: Cheapest

August 19 - August 26

Cheapest

DSM - Athens

$861

$846

Round trip

August 18 - August 25

Best

DSM - Athens

$861

$852

Round trip

August 4 - August 13

Earliest

DSM - Athens

$856

$860

Round trip

August 12 - August 18

DSM - Athens

$878

$863

Round trip

August 20 - August 27

Best

DSM - Athens

$856

$885

Round trip

August 23 - September 12

DSM - Athens

$805

$889

Round trip

August 26 - September 12

DSM - Athens

$815

$889

Round trip

September 14 - September 16

DSM - Athens

$949

$910

Round trip

August 21 - August 28

DSM - Athens

$856

$913

Round trip

August 23 - September 16

DSM - Athens

$800

$918

Round trip

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

Des Moines to Athens: Overview

Insights for flights from Des Moines to Athens

For travelers seeking cheap flights from Des Moines to Athens, November stands out as the most economical month, with a median fare of $547. Other favorable months for travel include September, offering a median fare of $574, and October, with prices around $621. Planning your trip during these months can lead to significant savings.

Fares for flights from Des Moines to Athens typically range from $723–$1289, with a median price of $898. Right now, current fares are significantly above the typical level for this route. New deals for this route appear almost daily, suggesting frequent opportunities to find better prices.

When considering how long is the flight from Des Moines to Athens, a typical journey, including connections, spans approximately 23h 16m. This duration reflects the need for connecting flights, as most itineraries on this route involve at least one stopover.

Most itineraries for flights from Des Moines to Athens are connecting, with most itineraries connecting at least once. In fact, 0% of recent fares were for non-stop flights. For connecting itineraries, the typical number of stopovers is 2, indicating that direct flights from Des Moines to Athens are not available, and travelers should expect multiple stops.

How much is a round trip from Des Moines to Athens

Regular price: $790 - $1,680

Prices for flights from Des Moines to Athens are currently within the regular range.

The regular price range for flights from Des Moines to Athens is between $790 and $1680. The current lowest deal is $816 with Allegiant Air for travel from Oct 12-Oct 14.

now $816

Low $790

High $1,680

The cheapest time to fly from Des Moines to Athens

The cheapest month to fly from DSM to ATH is November, with a median price of $547. The most expensive month is July, with a median price of $1476. Generally, prices are lower from January to December.

November

Cheapest

Flights from $547

July

Most Expensive

Flights from $1,476

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct flights from Des Moines to Athens

United Airlines

Air France

Allegiant Air

Air Canada

Last-minute flights going from Des Moines to Athens

Sun, Jul 12

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Athens

Des Moines (DSM) - Athens (ATH)

United Airlines

$1,109

$1,151

One-way

Mon, Jul 13

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Athens

Des Moines (DSM) - Athens (ATH)

Air France

$1,109

$1,284

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Athens

Des Moines (DSM) - Athens (ATH)

Aer Lingus

$1,109

$2,513

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Athens

Des Moines (DSM) - Athens (ATH)

Aer Lingus

$1,108

$2,525

One-way

Tue, Jul 14

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Athens

Des Moines (DSM) - Athens (ATH)

Aer Lingus

$1,275

$2,770

One-way

Wed, Jul 15

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Athens

Des Moines (DSM) - Athens (ATH)

Air France

$1,066

$1,128

One-way

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

5 nights

Oct 10 - Oct 15

$952 → $901

7 nights

Jul 7 - Jul 14

$1,109 → $1,084

7 nights

Aug 18 - Aug 25

$857 → $854

7 nights

Aug 19 - Aug 26

$857 → $854

Popular Airports to fly from Des Moines to Athens

Des Moines - Athens route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are near the typical level

Recent roundtrip fares from Des Moines to Athens average $816, near the typical level for this route.

📅 Best time to fly

November is historically cheapest at $547

Historically, November is the cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Athens, with a median price of $547.

⏱️ Flight duration

Connecting flights average 23h 16m

Flights from Des Moines to Athens typically involve connecting flights, with a median duration of 23h 16m.

✈️ Airlines & availability

No direct flights available

There are no direct flights available from Des Moines to Athens; all routes require at least one stopover.

🏆 Airline highlight

United Airlines offers 21 deals

United Airlines has offered 21 deals on connecting flights from Des Moines to Athens recently.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent for this route

Deals for flights from Des Moines to Athens are frequent, appearing often over a 30-day window.

Des Moines main airports to depart from

Des Moines International (DSM)

Cheapest

Des Moines International is a convenient departure airport for flights from Des Moines to Athens.

📍 ~8 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$816

Athens main airports to arrive at

Athens International (ATH)

Cheapest

Athens International Airport is a key arrival point for flights from Des Moines to Athens.

📍 ~20 km from Athens (reachable by car, bus, metro, rail).

💸 Flights from ~$816

Airports nearby Athens used as alternative

Kalamata International (KLX)

Kalamata International is a reliable mainland alternative with international seasonal connections, avoiding ferry transfers.

📍 ~230 km from Athens (reachable by car, ~2.5 to 3 hours drive)

💸 Flights from ~$982

Araxos (GPA)

Araxos is a mainland airport serving the Peloponnese, accessible by road from Athens via the A8 motorway.

📍 ~210 km from Athens (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$1,059

Mykonos Island National (JMK)

Cheapest

Mykonos Island National is a major international hub with extensive seasonal European connections, despite requiring a transfer.

📍 ~170 km from Athens (reachable by ferry or domestic flight)

💸 Flights from ~$865

Santorini (Thira) National (JTR)

Santorini (Thira) National is a strong international alternative, offering diverse cabin classes despite its island location.

📍 ~235 km from Athens (reachable by sea or air transfer)

💸 Flights from ~$953

Nea Anchialos National (VOL)

Nea Anchialos National is a mainland alternative, providing an exit point for the Thessaly region without sea travel.

📍 ~210 km from Athens (reachable by car, ~3 hours drive)

💸 Flights from ~$1,371

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Athens

Athens, Greece

71% AI deal score

$5,636

From DSM

Elite

Aug 19

Athens, Greece

71% AI deal score

$5,649

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Athens

To find more affordable flights, consider being flexible with your travel dates and times. Comparing prices across different airlines and booking sites can also help you identify better deals. Sometimes, flying on weekdays or during off-peak seasons may offer lower fares.

Booking flights in advance often provides more options and potentially better prices. However, last-minute deals can sometimes appear, though they are less common for international routes. Monitoring price trends over time can help you decide on an optimal booking window.

Comparing nearby airports at both your origin and destination can sometimes reveal more affordable flight options. While it may add to your ground travel time, the potential savings on airfare can be significant. Always factor in the cost and convenience of transportation to and from alternative airports.

Related routes

Consider alternative routes from Des Moines

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