Travelling from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO): what you need to know
San Francisco is two hours behind Des Moines and follows the UTC-7 timezone.
To ensure you catch your DSM to SFO flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
During popular months such as July, it's best to get to the airport earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for an international flight when you fly during peak periods in general.
We make it easy to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight with a stop long enough to visit the city of your choice. Some great stopovers between DSM and SFO include:
Denver International Airport
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport)
Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
$187 is the best price for a one-way Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. A return flight starts at $453. These prices may change based on availability.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from DSM to SFO if you book ahead. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird discounts.
Getting cheap flights from Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is easy if you can be flexible with your dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest prices across the month and score a great deal.
You don't need to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's a new deal on cheap flights from DSM to SFO.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops with the filters. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to get the best deals on flights from Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport.
Handy information about Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
DSM is located at 5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 201.
Des Moines International Airport has a strong on-time performance, reducing the likelihood of delays. Departures from DSM arrive at their destination as scheduled 80.45% of the time.
Des Moines International Airport is about 10 kilometres from central Des Moines. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
The trip on public transport will take about 45 minutes.
Get your holiday off to a stress-free start by staying near DSM. Whether you've booked an early flight from Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are perfect:
Arriving at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Book a hotel close to SFO if you have a late Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport flight. Pick one of these options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Begin your adventure by picking up a San Francisco International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Dollar, Thrifty or Hertz to explore San Francisco and beyond.
Booking your ride from San Francisco International Airport about one week in advance can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to central San Francisco
San Francisco International Airport to central San Francisco has a drive time of around 20 minutes. It's approximately 21 kilometres away.
It takes roughly 45 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
The quietest month for a flight from Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport is February, while August is the most popular. Choose the best time to go to San Francisco based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in San Francisco is September, with temperatures ranging between 12ºC (54ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Book your flights from Des Moines International Airport to San Francisco International Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF). Look for cheap tickets from DSM to SFO sometime around then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
Explore more of United States
San Jose is just one of the many places in United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen San Francisco. Around 64 kilometres away to the south-east, its best attractions include Winchester Mystery House, Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and San Jose Museum of Art.
Fresno is another sought-after destination in United States and is around 257 kilometres south-east of San Francisco. No trip is complete without seeing Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno Chaffee Zoo and Shinzen Japanese Garden.