$136 Cheap Flights from Columbia (CAE) to Des Moines (DSM)

View $136 flight on Wed, Oct 8, 2025Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Cheap Flights from Columbia to Des Moines (CAE-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $136 for one-way flights and $249 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Delta
Wed, May 20 - Wed, May 27
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$249 Roundtrip, found 9 hours ago
$249
Roundtrip
found 9 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Wed, May 20 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Wed, May 27, priced at $249 found 9 hours ago
Delta
Tue, Aug 19 - Thu, Sep 4
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$254 Roundtrip, found 13 hours ago
$254
Roundtrip
found 13 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Tue, Aug 19 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Thu, Sep 4, priced at $254 found 13 hours ago
Delta
Mon, Sep 29 - Sat, Oct 4
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$254 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$254
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select Delta flight, departing Mon, Sep 29 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Sat, Oct 4, priced at $254 found 2 days ago
United
Sat, Aug 23 - Sun, Aug 24
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$259 Roundtrip, found 18 hours ago
$259
Roundtrip
found 18 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Sat, Aug 23 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Sun, Aug 24, priced at $259 found 18 hours ago
United
Sat, Aug 23 - Sun, Aug 24
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$264 Roundtrip, found 18 hours ago
$264
Roundtrip
found 18 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Sat, Aug 23 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Sun, Aug 24, priced at $264 found 18 hours ago
Delta
Tue, Sep 30 - Wed, Oct 1
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$271 Roundtrip, found 19 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 19 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Tue, Sep 30 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Wed, Oct 1, priced at $271 found 19 hours ago
American Airlines
Thu, Sep 25 - Mon, Sep 29
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$273 Roundtrip, found 13 hours ago
$273
Roundtrip
found 13 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Thu, Sep 25 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Mon, Sep 29, priced at $273 found 13 hours ago
American Airlines
Mon, Aug 18 - Mon, Aug 25
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$278 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$278
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Mon, Aug 18 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Mon, Aug 25, priced at $278 found 1 day ago
United
Wed, Sep 10 - Wed, Sep 17
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$278 Roundtrip, found 2 days ago
$278
Roundtrip
found 2 days ago
Select United flight, departing Wed, Sep 10 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Wed, Sep 17, priced at $278 found 2 days ago
Delta
Mon, Aug 18 - Sat, Aug 23
CAE
Columbia
DSM
Des Moines
$284 Roundtrip, found 13 hours ago
$284
Roundtrip
found 13 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Mon, Aug 18 from Columbia to Des Moines, returning Sat, Aug 23, priced at $284 found 13 hours ago

Find the cheapest month to fly from Columbia (CAE) to Des Moines (DSM)

October is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $208 - $483 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Des Moines

Prices were available within the past 7 days. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Select flight to Des Moines Intl. DSM. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 10 minutes. Flights from $254
DSM
Des Moines Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center10 min
Flights from $254
Flights from Columbia (CAE) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Columbia Metropolitan
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, United
Roundtrip price
$248
Distance
860 mi

Columbia to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Columbia to Des Moines

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Columbia to Des Moines are during the month of May. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Columbia to Des Moines with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Columbia to Des Moines

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Columbia to Des Moines: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Columbia to Des Moines

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Columbia to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $136 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Columbia to Des Moines flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Columbia to Des Moines airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Get a cheap one-way flight from $136 or cheap return flight from $249 from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see our cheapest flight deals on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
The cheapest month to fly from CAE to DSM is May, when demand is low. Off-peak months are generally when airlines offer lower prices between these airports.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To find the cheapest airline that'll fly you from CAE to DSM, use Expedia's filter tool. Tailor your search based on what matters most to you, such as preferred carriers and number of stops. You can then sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to see the cheapest flights first.
How many flights per day from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
There aren't any daily direct flights departing from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). But you can choose flights with layovers. Filter your search on Expedia to include one or more stops, and you'll be on your way in no time.
What day of the week has the most flights from CAE to DSM?
Generally you'll find the widest variety of flight choices on a Friday. Tuesdays tend to be the quietest.* However, this can vary based on the airline, time of year and other factors.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To avoid possible delays on the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) route, travel before 3 PM. Later departures have a 22% higher chance of being canceled.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from CAE to DSM are generally more expensive. To secure the cheapest rates, start looking for flights ahead of time. That said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, it's possible to score a cheap fare right before your trip.
Is it cheaper to book a CAE to DSM flight and hotel package?
Compared with arranging flights and hotels separately, booking a CAE to DSM flight and hotel package with Expedia could result in significant savings. Better still, having everything in one place will take the stress out of planning your trip. Simply secure your flights and choose from our wide range of stays, then tailor your trip with extras like activities, tours and car rentals.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
It's usually possible to cancel or reschedule your CAE to DSM flight. However, for bookings made more than 24 hours ago, additional charges may apply. Refer to your airline's policies in your itinerary to see what changes are allowed and whether any costs are involved. You'll also find more information on our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.