Flights
Flights to Des Moines
Flying to Des Moines for a game, a concert or a show? The airport you pick decides the rest of the trip more than the fare usually does. This page lists the airport with scheduled flights near Des Moines, how far it is from the centre and which is nearest each of the city's main venues. StubOrder lists 578 upcoming events in and around Des Moines (counted Sep 24, 2026); fares are searched live when you pick your dates.
The closest airport to downtown Des Moines is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), 4.3 miles away. For Casey's Center, the nearest is DSM at 4.5 miles.
Airports serving Des Moines
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the centre of Des Moines, which is the fair way to compare airports with each other; the drive is always longer.
| Airport and distance from the centre | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines International Airport (DSM) 4.3 mi (7 km) | Large | Nearest to Casey's Center, Des Moines Civic Center, Principal Park, Funny Bone Comedy Club - Des Moines, The Ingersoll, Hoyt Sherman Place Theater, Wooly's and The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex. |
Nearest airport to each Des Moines venue
The busiest venues in and around Des Moines, each with its own nearest airport. A stadium in the suburbs is often nearer a different airport than downtown is, so this is the table to book from.
| Venue | Nearest airport we list | Second option |
|---|---|---|
| Casey's Center Hotels near Casey's Center | DSM, 4.5 mi | — |
| Des Moines Civic Center Hotels near Des Moines Civic Center | DSM, 4.3 mi | — |
| Principal Park Hotels near Principal Park | DSM, 4 mi | — |
| Funny Bone Comedy Club - Des Moines Hotels near Funny Bone Comedy Club - Des Moines | DSM, 6.6 mi | — |
| The Ingersoll Hotels near The Ingersoll | DSM, 3.6 mi | — |
| Hoyt Sherman Place Theater Hotels near Hoyt Sherman Place Theater | DSM, 4 mi | — |
| Wooly's Hotels near Wooly's | DSM, 4.7 mi | — |
| The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex Hotels near The MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex | DSM, 7 mi | — |
Flying in for a Des Moines event
In the next 30 days (counted Sep 24, 2026): 132 events in and around Des Moines; 67% on Fri–Sun; 98 of the 132 with a set time start at 7 pm or later, local time.
Fly in the day before an evening event: a delayed afternoon flight is a missed show. Plan to fly home the morning after, because the last departures of the night often leave before a late finish lets out. The dates below set the search to do exactly that, around each event.
Drake Bulldogs Women's Volleyball vs. Murray State Racers
Drake Knapp Center, Des Moines, Iowa
John Lloyd Young
The Ingersoll, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $959.00View TicketsJohn Lloyd Young
The Ingersoll, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $959.00View TicketsAlana Springsteen
Wooly's, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $36.00View TicketsTell It Like It Is: Iowa Storytellers Project
Hoyt Sherman Place Theater, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $38.00View TicketsIan McConnell
xBk Live, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $31.00View TicketsRipe
Wooly's, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $12.00View TicketsMon Rovia
Wooly's, Des Moines, Iowa
From about $128.00View Tickets
Search flights for:
- Sep 25: Drake Bulldogs Women's Volleyball vs. Murray St…
- Sep 26: John Lloyd Young
- Sep 27: Alana Springsteen
- Sep 29: Tell It Like It Is: Iowa Storytellers Project
- Sep 30: Mon Rovia
- Oct 1: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Flying in to Des Moines: checklist
- Book the airport for your venue. For Casey's Center it is DSM, 4.5 miles away; the table above has the rest.
- Arrive the day before an evening event, and plan the flight home for the next morning.
- Names exactly as on the ID. The airline compares the booking with the ID at the airport.
- Check the bag allowance. It is shown on every fare; extra bags are not part of the fare price.
Plan the rest of the trip
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is best for Des Moines Civic Center?
The closest airport to Des Moines Civic Center is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), 4.3 miles away in a straight line.
What is the closest airport to Des Moines?
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is the closest airport with scheduled flights to downtown Des Moines, 4.3 miles away in a straight line.
Which airport is best for Casey's Center?
The closest airport to Casey's Center is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), 4.5 miles away in a straight line.
Can I buy event tickets and flights together?
Not as one purchase. Event tickets come from our resale marketplace and flights from our travel partner and the airlines, as separate bookings with separate confirmations. Neither depends on the other, so if an event moves, your flight does not change automatically.
How many airports serve Des Moines?
StubOrder lists one airport with scheduled passenger flights within 100 km (62 miles) of downtown Des Moines: Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
How many events are in Des Moines in the next 30 days?
132 in and around Des Moines in the 30 days from Sep 24, 2026, when this page's figures were counted. 67% of them fall on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and 98 of the 132 with a set start time begin at 7 pm or later, local time.
Are fares shown on this page?
No. Airline fares change by the minute and depend on your exact dates, airports and travellers, so this page shows none. Pick your dates in the search form and StubOrder asks the airlines live; every fare it shows is the total for all travellers, taxes and fees included.
How far is DSM from downtown Des Moines?
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is 4.3 miles (7 km) from downtown Des Moines in a straight line. The drive is always longer than the straight line, and the roads near the venues are busiest at event times, so allow more than a map suggests.
