Des Moines International Airport Departures (DSM)

Flight Departures at Des Moines International Airport

The Departures Area at Des Moines International Airport is located on the Ground Floor. It has two entry vestibules with overhead signs to help passengers locate it easily.

You can find the Check-In area and Ticketing Offices in the Departures Area.

When you check-in for your flight, make sure you present all the necessary documents and that your luggage is within the allowed limits.

After checking it, you have to complete security checks by TSA before heading to the concourses.

The TSA website has information on prohibitions and acceptable traveling conduct. Confirm and check that your baggage is within TSA regulations beforehand to avoid inconveniences.

It is recommended to arrive as early as 90 minutes before your flight to accommodate parking your vehicle and checking your baggage.

However, it is best to confirm with your airlines as some airline check-ins start as early as 24 hours before the flight. Three check-in options are available in DSM, namely, online, at the airport ticketing kiosks, and the airline ticket counter

Another factor to consider is the time of travel from your hotel or your point of origin to the airport.

Parking at Des Moines International Airport

DSM has several parking slots with varying price ranges.

If you have a scheduled flight out and somebody is dropping you off, your acquaintances may briefly park at the curb.

However, if sending you off will take you more than a few minutes, it is recommended to park at the Short Term parking lot. See more information about short and long term parking at Des Moines International Airport.

Short Term parking costs $1 per 20 minutes but the first 20 minutes are free of charge, giving you enough time. The maximum parking fee per day is $38.

If you are driving to the airport and will be back after a few days, it is recommended to park in the Long Term Parking lots or the Economy Parking lots.

When you do, the airport shuttle servicing the different DSM parking lots will be notified and will pick you up from your chosen parking lot and drop you off at the Departures Area entry.

Long Term Premium Parking costs $1 every 20 minutes with a maximum of $26 per day. It is about 325 meters away from the terminal building.

Long Term Parking also costs $1 every 20 minutes, however, the maximum cost per day is only $16. It is about 380 meters away from the terminal building

Economy Parking costs $2 per hour.

Real-time parking availability can be checked on the website: https://www.flydsm.com/at-the-airport/parking

Transfer Services at Des Moines International Airport

DSM is served by a public transfer service known as HIRTA Public Transit.

The services of HIRTA include transfer services from nearby counties, including Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Marion, Story, and Warren to Des Moines International Airport and Polk County.

Online booking is recommended to avoid extra charges that come with last-minute booking.

If your point of origin is anywhere in Des Moines, HIRTA charges $2.50 to drop you off at the airport.

If your point of origin is anywhere in Polk County, it will cost $5 to get to the airport.

If you are coming from other counties outside Polk County, HIRTA charges could range from $10 to $25 for a transfer service to the airport.

Rental Car Services at Des Moines International Airport

Most people opt for Rental Car Services to get to DSM.

Most rental companies offer online booking for smooth transactions.

When getting to the airport using a DSM-hosted Rental Car, you have to return the rented vehicle to the Rental Car Returns parking. Follow airport road signs to easily locate the parking lot.

If you have opted for other rental car companies, make sure you return the vehicle according to their terms. See all rental car companies at Des Moines International Airport.

Make sure you have unloaded your baggage from the rented vehicle before returning the car and keys over to the rental company

Ride Shares at Des Moines International Airport

Getting to DSM using rideshares is another popular choice since you can hail a ride to the airport from anywhere in the greater Des Moines region.

DSM is served by rideshare companies Uber and Lyft.

Mobile devices that are connected to the internet can be installed with the apps of either rideshare companies. You have to be connected to the internet when hailing a ride.

Charges depend on the point of origin. The app shows the cost of the ride before you accept the booking.

Taxis at Des Moines International Airport

You can take taxis to get to the airport from any point in the Des Moines metro area, central Iowa, or anywhere in the state by request.

It is recommended to book a taxi appointment when getting to the airport because taxis prioritize airport services. More information about taxis at Des Moines International Airport.

Booking taxi appointments is a convenient way to get to the airport.

Trains at Des Moines International Airport

Trains run throughout Des Moines, however, Osceola Station, the nearest train station to DSM, is about 69 kilometers away.

This means that if you take the train to get to the airport, your train ride should lead to Osceola Station. From there, you’ll have to take a transfer bus or taxi to get to the airport.

Taking a taxi from Osceola Station to the airport will take 50 minutes and range from $95 to $120 taxi fare. Additional information about train services near Des Moines International Airport.

If you have the time and prefer a scenic bus ride for a transfer, it will take about 4 hours and cost $107 to $158.

Buses at Des Moines International Airport

Arriving passengers who wish to take the bus from the airport should wait for the Fleur Drive Route or the public bus local route 8.

You will be picked up at the Airport South Park & Ride bus stop. If you have a lot of luggage and you need help, you can also wait for the airport shuttle that services all the parking lots on the airport premises. Further information about buses to and from Des Moines International Airport.

The next stop would be at the central transit station, 9 kilometers or 15 minutes away from the airport bus stop. From this point, you can transfer to a different route.

A bus ride from the airport to the central transit station costs $2.

Outbound passengers may also take the bus to get to the airport.

The public bus route that serves the airport is Fleur Drive Route, also known as Public Bus Local Route No. 8.

The airport bus stop of this route is located near the Airport South Park & Ride. Once you are in this parking lot, the airport shuttle serving the airport parking lots will be notified to pick you up.

You will be dropped off outside the Departures area.

Hotel Shuttle Services at Des Moines International Airport

Most Des Moines hotels offer airport shuttle services. Confirm the availability of this service from your chosen hotel.

Some hotels include the service in their accommodation packages, while others offer the service for an extra fee.

Other Services at Des Moines International Airport

Wi-Fi at Des Moines International Airport

You may access the internet through the airport’s Wi-Fi, free of charge. It is available throughout the airport.

The airport’s network provider is Verizon with a boingo system.

ATMs at Des Moines International Airport

Outbound passengers may access the ATM located in the concourse C area, near the separate male and female toilet, and across a restaurant.

The other ATM is located on the ground floor.

Currency Exchange at Des Moines International Airport

Passengers scheduled to fly out may visit currency exchange offices at their destination airport.

DSM does not have any currency exchange offices within the airport premises.

Nursing Stations at Des Moines International Airport

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines sponsors the Mamava Nursing Pod, located after the TSA security checkpoint on the ground floor.

Make sure to follow TSA requirements for breastmilk.

Restrooms at Des Moines International Airport

Outbound passengers in the concourse can use washrooms located throughout the area.

The two-family washrooms are located near Gate A5, which has a standard changing table for children, and another near Gate C7, which has both a standard children’s changing area and an adult changing table.

Separate male and female washrooms are located near passenger waiting areas in concourses A and C.

Food and Beverages at Des Moines International Airport

DSM offers a wide selection of exciting dining and shopping options for passengers in the Departures area and on the Mezzanine Floor.

Full Service and Quick Service dining options are available.

There is also a cocktail lounge near Gate 9, on the Mezzanine Floor. The other cocktail lounge is located in the Arrivals Hall.

Shopping at Des Moines International Airport

The airport hosts two Hudson shops.

You can choose from various electronics and phone accessories in Tech On The Go.

If you are looking for popular brands, the 5th & Sunset.

A self-service kiosk for grab-and-go items is also available.

Smoking at Des Moines International Airport

Smoking and vaping are not allowed at any location on the airport premises.

Lost and Found Section at Des Moines International Airport

Outbound passengers with lost items to report should assess where they lost the items.

If the items were lost on your way to the airport, please contact the company of the transportation service you used.

If the items went missing on the airport premises, please fill-up the online form https://www.flydsm.com/traveler-info/lost-found/lost-item-report for reporting lost items.

Ticketing at Des Moines International Airport

The airport ticketing offices are found in the departures area on the first floor near the baggage check-in.

Each office is assigned to an airline. Opening hours differ.

Each airport airline ticketing office opens about 2 hours before their next scheduled flight.

Information Desk at Des Moines International Airport

The airport Information Desk is located on the ground floor near the Baggage Claim Area.

Passengers in the Departures area may contact the Information Desk at +1 515-256-5100.

Pet Relief at Des Moines International Airport

The only pet relief area is located outside the terminal, near the parking garage. It is a small fenced area with a fake fire hydrant.

It is recommended for outbound passengers traveling with their pets or service animals to relieve their pets before checking in for their flight.

Lounges at Des Moines International Airport

There are currently no on-site lounges at DSM. However, most hotels offer airport shuttle services to take their guests to their hotel

Disabled Passengers at Des Moines International Airport

The airport has several measures that comply with accessibility requirements.

This includes a family washroom with an adult changing table, a telephone device for the deaf (TDD), and a heart defibrillator device.

Wheelchair assistance can be requested at +1 515-256-5500.

The airport also allows service animals on its premises. A designated pet relief area is located outside the terminal building.