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

Direct flights offer convenience by minimizing travel time and avoiding layovers, but they are not always the most budget-friendly choice. Flights with one or more stops can sometimes be considerably cheaper. The 'best' option often depends on your priorities for cost versus convenience.

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

Yes, being flexible with your travel dates can often lead to finding more affordable flights. Prices for airfare can vary significantly depending on the day of the week or time of year. Flying during off-peak days or seasons may result in lower ticket costs.

What extra costs should I check before booking Des Moines to Denver 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. Understanding these additional expenses can help you calculate the total cost of your trip.

Flights From Des Moines

To Denver

Cheap Flights from Des Moines to Denver

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

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

Prices updated 5 days ago

402 airlines compared

80%+ AI score for best value

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 Denver

Explore current cheapest deals departing from Des Moines to Denver

Round trip

Sort by: Cheapest

August 12 - August 31

Cheapest

Best

DSM - Denver

$155

$75

Round trip

August 24 - August 31

DSM - Denver

$183

$81

Round trip

September 7 - September 14

Best

DSM - Denver

$174

$81

Round trip

October 14 - October 21

Best

DSM - Denver

$270

$81

Round trip

August 12 - August 24

DSM - Denver

$164

$83

Round trip

August 5 - August 31

Earliest

DSM - Denver

$154

$84

Round trip

August 5 - August 24

Earliest

DSM - Denver

$157

$84

Round trip

October 19 - October 21

Best

DSM - Denver

$290

$85

Round trip

October 12 - October 21

DSM - Denver

$257

$85

Round trip

September 21 - October 21

DSM - Denver

$153

$85

Round trip

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

Des Moines to Denver: Overview

Insights for flights from Des Moines to Denver

For travelers looking for cheap flights from Des Moines to Denver, the data indicates that April and May are typically the most affordable months to fly, with median fares around $112. Following closely, January also presents a good value, with a median fare of $133. Planning your trip during these months can significantly reduce your travel costs.

Fares for this route are typically between $156–$470, with a median of $333. Right now, current fares are above the typical level for this route. Approximately 31% of recent fares have been classified as a good price, indicating that favorable deals do appear, and new deals appear almost daily.

When flying from Des Moines to Denver, 54.2% of recent fares were for direct flights. This means a meaningful share are non-stop, while the remaining itineraries typically include 1 stopover. If you prioritize a non-stop journey, you will find several options available.

A typical journey from Des Moines to Denver, including connections, takes about 2h 2m. This median flight time accounts for both direct and connecting itineraries, providing a realistic expectation for your travel duration.

The distance between Des Moines and Denver is approximately 946 kilometers. This classifies the route as a short-haul flight, meaning you can expect a relatively quick journey.

How much is a round trip from Des Moines to Denver

Regular price: $119 - $578

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

The regular price range for flights from Des Moines to Denver is typically between $119 and $578. The current lowest deal is $75 with Frontier Airlines for travel from August 12 to August 31.

now $75

Low $119

High $578

The cheapest time to fly from Des Moines to Denver

The cheapest month to fly from Des Moines to Denver is May, with a median price of $112. The most expensive month is April, with a median price of $508. Prices are generally lower from January to November.

May

Cheapest

Flights from $112

April

Most Expensive

Flights from $508

Jan

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Direct flights from Des Moines to Denver

Frontier Airlines

Last-minute flights going from Des Moines to Denver

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Denver

Des Moines (DSM) - Denver (DEN)

Allegiant Air

$364

$143

One-way

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Denver

Des Moines (DSM) - Denver (DEN)

Allegiant Air

$361

$185

One-way

Mon, Aug 3

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Denver

Des Moines (DSM) - Denver (DEN)

Allegiant Air

$361

$216

One-way

Tue, Aug 4

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Denver

Des Moines (DSM) - Denver (DEN)

American Airlines

$357

$198

One-way

Wed, Aug 5

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Denver

Des Moines (DSM) - Denver (DEN)

Frontier Airlines

$154

$84

One-way

Wed, Aug 5

⌛ Last-Minute

DSM - Denver

Des Moines (DSM) - Denver (DEN)

Frontier Airlines

$157

$84

One-way

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

3 nights

Oct 8 - Oct 11

$465 → $302

35%

2 nights

Oct 19 - Oct 21

$310 → $148

52%

7 nights

Oct 14 - Oct 21

$289 → $128

56%

2 nights

Oct 21 - Oct 23

$315 → $157

50%

Popular Airports to fly from Des Moines to Denver

Des Moines - Denver route insights

💸 Price insights

Recent fares are above the typical level

Recent fares for Des Moines to Denver are above the typical level at $75.

📅 Best time to fly

Fly in May for the best prices

Historically, May has the lowest median price at $112 for Des Moines to Denver.

⏱️ Flight duration

Direct flights take 2h 2m

The typical direct flight duration from Des Moines to Denver is 2 hours and 2 minutes.

✈️ Airlines & availability

54.2% direct flights available

Historically, 54.2% of flights from Des Moines to Denver are direct.

🏆 Airline highlight

Frontier Airlines offers direct flights

Frontier Airlines has offered direct flights from Des Moines to Denver historically.

🎯 Booking tip

Deals are frequent on this route

Deals from Des Moines to Denver are frequent, appearing within a 30-day window.

Des Moines main airports to depart from

Des Moines International (DSM)

Cheapest

Des Moines International Airport is a convenient choice for flights from Des Moines to Denver.

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

💸 Flights from ~$75

Denver main airports to arrive at

Denver International (DEN)

Cheapest

Denver International Airport is a primary gateway to Denver from Des Moines.

📍 ~30 km from city center (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$85

Airports nearby Denver used as alternative

Colorado Springs (COS)

Cheapest

Colorado Springs (COS) is a reliable alternative for Denver with robust flight schedules, though I-25 traffic can impact travel time.

📍 ~110 km from Denver (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$241

Eagle County Regional (EGE)

Eagle County Regional (EGE) is an excellent alternative for travelers in Denver's western suburbs or mountains, despite typically higher fares.

📍 ~190 km from Denver (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$460

Aspen–Pitkin County (ASE)

Aspen–Pitkin County (ASE) is convenient for high-country travelers with frequent regional connections, but highly susceptible to weather delays.

📍 ~200 km from Denver (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$456

Cheyenne Regional (CYS)

Cheyenne Regional (CYS) offers small airport convenience for northern Denver suburbs, but has a very limited flight schedule.

📍 ~160 km from Denver (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$372

Yampa Valley (HDN)

Yampa Valley (HDN) is a viable alternative for Northwest Colorado residents, though flight frequency is highly seasonal.

📍 ~260 km from Denver (reachable by car)

💸 Flights from ~$333

Business & First Class Flight Deals to Denver

Denver, United States

35% AI deal score

$8,028

From DSM

Elite

Jul 31

Denver, United States

35% AI deal score

$8,071

Frequently Asked Questions About Flights to Denver

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 lower-cost options.

Booking in advance, typically several weeks to a few months before your desired departure, can often result in more favorable prices. However, prices can fluctuate, so monitoring fares is usually a good strategy. Mid-week bookings may sometimes offer better rates than weekend bookings.

Comparing nearby airports can sometimes uncover different flight options or potentially lower fares. While it may add to your ground travel time, the savings on airfare could be significant. It's often worth checking if alternative airports are a viable option for your trip.

Related routes

Consider alternative routes from Des Moines

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