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

View $136 flight on Wed, Sep 24, 2025Opens in a new window

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

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

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.

American Airlines
Tue, Aug 5 - Mon, Aug 11
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$249 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$249
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Tue, Aug 5 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Mon, Aug 11, priced at $249 found 1 hour ago
Delta
Tue, Aug 5 - Mon, Aug 11
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$249 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$249
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select Delta flight, departing Tue, Aug 5 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Mon, Aug 11, priced at $249 found 1 hour ago
American Airlines
Fri, Jul 25 - Mon, Jul 28
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$254 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$254
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Fri, Jul 25 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Mon, Jul 28, priced at $254 found 2 hours ago
American Airlines
Fri, Jul 18 - Sat, Jul 19
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$259 Roundtrip, found 4 days ago
$259
Roundtrip
found 4 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Fri, Jul 18 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Sat, Jul 19, priced at $259 found 4 days ago
American Airlines
Tue, Sep 2 - Sat, Sep 6
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$260 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$260
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Tue, Sep 2 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Sat, Sep 6, priced at $260 found 12 hours ago
United
Thu, Feb 5 - Mon, Feb 9
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$267 Roundtrip, found 17 hours ago
$267
Roundtrip
found 17 hours ago
Select United flight, departing Thu, Feb 5 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Mon, Feb 9, priced at $267 found 17 hours ago
American Airlines
Tue, Sep 2 - Sat, Sep 6
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$271 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$271
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Tue, Sep 2 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Sat, Sep 6, priced at $271 found 12 hours ago
American Airlines
Tue, Aug 5 - Mon, Aug 11
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$273 Roundtrip, found 1 hour ago
$273
Roundtrip
found 1 hour ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Tue, Aug 5 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Mon, Aug 11, priced at $273 found 1 hour ago
American Airlines
Fri, Jul 18 - Wed, Jul 23
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$278 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$278
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Fri, Jul 18 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Wed, Jul 23, priced at $278 found 5 days ago
American Airlines
Tue, Aug 12 - Sun, Aug 17
DSM
Des Moines
CAE
Columbia
$278 Roundtrip, found 12 hours ago
$278
Roundtrip
found 12 hours ago
Select American Airlines flight, departing Tue, Aug 12 from Des Moines to Columbia, returning Sun, Aug 17, priced at $278 found 12 hours ago

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

October is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $208 - $497 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Alternative airports near Columbia

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

Select flight to Columbia Metropolitan CAE. Cheapest and Closest option available. Average driving time to city center is 12 minutes. Flights from $348
CAE
Columbia Metropolitan
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center12 min
Flights from $348
Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to Columbia (CAE)
Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
Columbia Metropolitan
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, United
Roundtrip price
$248
Distance
860 mi

Des Moines to Columbia Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Des Moines to Columbia

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 Des Moines to Columbia are during the month of August. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Des Moines to Columbia with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Des Moines to Columbia: 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 Des Moines to Columbia

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 Des Moines to Columbia 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 Des Moines to Columbia 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 Des Moines to Columbia 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 Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) cost?
Discover the latest flight deals from DSM to CAE by entering your preferred travel dates and searching on Expedia. Easily compare prices by departure date if you have flexibility with your schedule and use handy filters to explore prices for your preferred journey. As a member of One Key™, our free loyalty program, you can use Price Tracking to watch fares and receive notifications if prices go up or down.
What is the cheapest month to fly from DSM to CAE?
The cheapest flights from DSM to CAE are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from DSM to CAE?
Use the filter tool on Expedia to compare airlines and find the cheapest carrier that'll take you from DSM to CAE. Sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to snap up a great deal.
How many flights per day from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)?
There aren't any daily direct flights departing from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). But you can opt for flights with layovers. Filter your search results on Expedia to include one or two stops, and you'll be on your way in no time at all.
What day of the week has the most flights from DSM to CAE?
Usually you'll find the largest variety of flight choices on a Friday. Tuesdays tend to be the quietest.* However, this can vary depending on the season, airline 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 Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)?
To arrive at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) on time, choose a flight that leaves from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) before 3 PM. The likelihood of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this hour.**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 Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) last-minute?
Last-minute fares from DSM to CAE are typically more expensive. For the best prices, start looking for flights early. That said, if you're flexible with your travel plans, you may land a cheap fare just before your departure.
Is it cheaper to book a DSM to CAE flight and hotel package?
You can save money by booking a DSM to CAE flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, you could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's easy to manage everything in one place. After selecting your ideal flights and accommodations, consider adding extras including activities, car rentals and tours.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)?
Generally, it's possible to reschedule or cancel your DSM to CAE 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 possible and if any costs are involved. You'll also find more details on our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.