$73 Cheap Flights from Chicago (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)

View $73 flight on Tue, Jan 6, 2026Opens in a new window

Popular airlines from Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

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Cheap Flights from Chicago to Des Moines (MDW-DSM)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $73 for one-way flights and $177 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Thu, Dec 11 - Sun, Dec 14
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$177 Roundtrip, found 21 hours ago
$177
Roundtrip
found 21 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Thu, Dec 11 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Sun, Dec 14, priced at $177 found 21 hours ago
Frontier Airlines
Fri, Dec 5 - Sun, Dec 7
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$182 Roundtrip, found 1 day ago
$182
Roundtrip
found 1 day ago
Select Frontier Airlines flight, departing Fri, Dec 5 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Sun, Dec 7, priced at $182 found 1 day ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Nov 18 - Wed, Nov 19
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$197 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$197
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Nov 18 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Wed, Nov 19, priced at $197 found 6 days ago
Delta
Tue, Dec 16 - Wed, Dec 17
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$197 Roundtrip, found 5 days ago
$197
Roundtrip
found 5 days ago
Select Delta flight, departing Tue, Dec 16 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Wed, Dec 17, priced at $197 found 5 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Tue, Nov 18 - Wed, Nov 19
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$203 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$203
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Tue, Nov 18 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Wed, Nov 19, priced at $203 found 6 days ago
Delta
Wed, Nov 12 - Sat, Nov 15
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$209 Roundtrip, found 2 hours ago
$209
Roundtrip
found 2 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Wed, Nov 12 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Sat, Nov 15, priced at $209 found 2 hours ago
Delta
Mon, Nov 3 - Mon, Nov 10
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$214 Roundtrip, found 5 hours ago
$214
Roundtrip
found 5 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Mon, Nov 3 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Mon, Nov 10, priced at $214 found 5 hours ago
Southwest Airlines
Sat, Nov 22 - Tue, Dec 2
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$215 Roundtrip, found 6 days ago
$215
Roundtrip
found 6 days ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Sat, Nov 22 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Tue, Dec 2, priced at $215 found 6 days ago
Southwest Airlines
Mon, Nov 3 - Wed, Nov 5
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$219 Roundtrip, found 5 hours ago
$219
Roundtrip
found 5 hours ago
Select Southwest Airlines flight, departing Mon, Nov 3 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Wed, Nov 5, priced at $219 found 5 hours ago
Delta
Thu, Dec 11 - Sun, Dec 14
MDW
Chicago
DSM
Des Moines
$220 Roundtrip, found 21 hours ago
$220
Roundtrip
found 21 hours ago
Select Delta flight, departing Thu, Dec 11 from Chicago to Des Moines, returning Sun, Dec 14, priced at $220 found 21 hours ago

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 $284
DSM
Des Moines Intl.
CheapestClosest
Average driving time to city center10 min
Flights from $284
Flights from Chicago (MDW) to Des Moines (DSM)
Origin airport
Midway Intl.
Destination airport
Des Moines Intl.
Airlines serving
Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines
Roundtrip price
$177
Distance
305 mi
Average flight time
9 hours 55 mins

Chicago to Des Moines Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Chicago 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 Chicago to Des Moines are during the month of December. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Chicago to Des Moines with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

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

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago to Des Moines in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $73 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 Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) cost?
Snag a cheap one-way flight from $73 or cheap return flight from $177 from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) with Expedia. Enter your travel dates and sort by "Price (lowest to highest)" to find our cheapest flight offers on this route.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Planning your getaway for December is a good way to save, as it's the cheapest month for flights between MDW and DSM. You'll usually find the lowest prices during off-peak months.
Which airlines fly direct from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
There's no direct route from Chicago, IL (MDW-Midway Intl.) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). However, you'll find other airports that have nonstop flights. Begin your journey at O'Hare Intl. Airport (ORD) and head straight to Des Moines without layovers.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
To find the cheapest airline flying from MDW to DSM, use Expedia's filter tool. Customize your search based on what's important to you, such as preferred carriers and flight duration. You can then sort your results by "Price (lowest to highest)" to discover the cheapest flight right away.
How many flights per day from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
You'll need to book a flight with a layover if you're traveling from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM). There are no daily direct flights on this route. However, simply filter your search to include one or more stops to discover an option that works for you.
What day of the week has the most flights from MDW to DSM?
Friday is usually the busiest day for flights, while Tuesday tends to be the quietest.* Just remember that flight schedules can vary depending on a range of factors, including the season and airline.*Busiest/quietest day to travel is based on Expedia flight demand through January to December 2024.
What is the best time to fly from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
Book a flight from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) that leaves before 3 PM to reduce the risk of delays and cancellations. Departures after this hour are on average 22% more likely to be 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 Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) last-minute?
Waiting until just before your trip to book a ticket from MDW to DSM often results in higher prices. While you may come across some last-minute deals, there's no guarantee. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for a better chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a MDW to DSM flight and hotel package?
You'll typically save money by booking a MDW to DSM flight and hotel package compared to booking separately. In fact, travelers could save hundreds of dollars by bundling with Expedia. And it's simple to manage everything in one place. After choosing your ideal accommodations and flights, consider other add-ons like car rentals, tours and activities.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Midway Intl. Airport (MDW) to Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM)?
You can usually cancel or reschedule your MDW to DSM flight. However, if the booking was 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 if any costs are involved. You'll also find further details on our Customer Service portal.

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*Available to One Key members.