Which airport should I fly into for Des Moines?

For long-haul and international flights, Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is the main gateway near Des Moines. The closest airport, Des Moines International Airport (DSM), is the most convenient for transfers — weigh proximity against the breadth of flight connections.

How far is the airport from Des Moines?

The nearest is about 6 mi (9 km) away. The table above shows the distance and an estimated transfer time for each airport within about 300 km.

How do I get from the airport into Des Moines?

Most airports offer taxis and ride-hailing, and many add a rail, metro or bus link into the city. Tap any airport above for a full guide with ground-transport options, lounges and transit details.

Airports Near Des Moines

The closest airports to Des Moines, Iowa: IATA codes, names and distances, each with a full airport guide covering terminals, lounges and transit.

The nearest airport to Des Moines, Iowa is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about 6 mi (9 km) away — roughly 19 min by road. It also serves as the area's main international gateway.

Code	Airport	Distance	Transfer	Type
DSM	Des Moines International AirportDes Moines, United States	6 mi / 9 km	19 min	International
AMW	Ames Municipal AirportAmes, United States	27 mi / 44 km	53 min	Regional
TNU	Newton Municipal AirportNewton, United States	31 mi / 50 km	56 min	Regional
PRO	Perry Municipal AirportPerry, United States	32 mi / 52 km	58 min	Regional
BNW	Boone Municipal AirportBoone, United States	34 mi / 54 km	1 hr	Regional
EFW	Jefferson Municipal AirportJefferson, United States	47 mi / 76 km	1 hr 25 min	Regional
MIW	Marshalltown Municipal AirportMarshalltown, United States	50 mi / 81 km	1 hr 30 min	Regional
CSQ	Creston Municipal AirportCreston, United States	56 mi / 90 km	1 hr 40 min	Regional

Distances are straight-line; transfer times are road estimates. "Type" flags major/international gateways.

Which airport is best?

For the shortest transfer, Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is the most convenient at about 6 mi out. Larger airports a little farther out can offer more connections, so it's worth comparing fares before booking.

Getting to and from the airport

Taxis and ride-hailing serve every airport here, and the larger ones usually add a rail, metro or bus link into Des Moines. Allow extra time in peak traffic. For exact routes, times and fares, open the airport guide — start with DSM.

Hotels near the airport

For early departures or late arrivals, a hotel near DSM saves a stressful morning transfer.

Search hotels near DSM All hotels near Des Moines

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Other cities these airports serve

Travel tips

Compare the total door-to-door time, not just the airfare — a cheaper flight into a distant airport can cost more once you add the transfer. Check whether your airport has a direct train or metro before defaulting to a taxi, and for international arrivals, confirm any visa or transit rules in advance.

Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Des Moines is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about 6 mi (9 km) away — roughly 19 min by road.