$39 Cheap Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to St. Louis (STL)

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Cheap Flights from Des Moines to St. Louis (DSM-STL)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $39 for one-way flights and $77 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines
Delta
United
Flights from Des Moines (DSM) to St. Louis (STL)
Origin airport
Des Moines Intl.
Destination airport
Lambert-St. Louis Intl.
Airlines serving
American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$71
Distance
259 mi

Des Moines to St. Louis Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Des Moines to St. Louis

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

The best time to book a flight from Des Moines to St. Louis

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

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 St. Louis in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $39 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 St. Louis 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 St. Louis 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

Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to STL last minute?
When it comes to booking your flights, being organized pays off. While you could find a deal on a DSM to STL flight at the last minute, tickets usually don’t get cheaper as the date of departure nears. Based on flight pricing and demand studies in 2022, we have found that the sweet spot to book a domestic flight is between 28 – 35 days in advance. For international flights it’s between three and four months.
What airports do you fly into for St. Louis from Des Moines?
From Des Moines, you can journey to St. Louis through Lambert-St. Louis Intl. Airport (STL), Spirit of St. Louis Airport (SUS) and St. Louis Downtown Airport (CPS). Do some research into which airport is the most convenient for you before making your decision. If you opt for Lambert-St. Louis Intl. Airport (STL), it’s approximately 12 mi northwest of the city center. Use the dough you save when booking your journey with Expedia to explore the city’s top sights, such as Busch Stadium and Gateway Arch.
Can I change the date of my flight from Des Moines Intl. Airport (DSM) to STL?
You can make changes to your DSM to Lambert-St. Louis Intl. Airport (STL) ticket via the Expedia Trips portal. But before doing so, check out the conditions in your itinerary to see what the airline will allow you to do and whether fees apply. Some carriers charge a change fee per person, on top of any difference in prices. However, if you booked in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel for free and book new flights. You can also find your way to our Customer Service portal for further details and to chat with our Virtual Agent.

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*Available to One Key members.