When you are traveling to and from Des Moines International Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.
Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
- Brief Overview of Des Moines International Airport in Iowa, USA
- Airport Terminals
- Parking at Des Moines International Airport
- Airlines Served by Des Moines International Airport
- Facilities and Services Available at Des Moines International Airport
- Hotels On-site and Nearby Des Moines International Airport
- Transport Options To and From Des Moines International Airport
- Conclusion
Brief Overview of Des Moines International Airport in Iowa, USA
Situated just about 5 km (3 miles) southwest of Des Moines’s capital city center in the state of Iowa, lies the Des Moines International Airport.
From the north, take Interstate 35 south to Interstate 80, and proceed on Interstate 80, roughly 5 km (3 miles) to Highway 65, then continue west on the highway to the Fleur Drive exit. It’s an approximately 3 km (2 miles) drive and the Des Moines International Airport is on the left.
IATA: DSM
Address:
5800 Fleur Drive
Des Moines
IA 50321
United States
Airport Contact: +1 (515) 256-5050
Operation Hours: Des Moines International Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain shops, food concessions, on-site accommodations, and public and private transport services may not offer services throughout the day and night. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may vary with the flight schedule. Therefore, it is advised that you check with the airport.
Airport Terminals
Des Moines International Airport has a single main terminal. The airport’s terminal consists of two concourses, Concourses A and C. Concourse A has Gates A1 to A5, while Concourse C has Gates C1 to C7.
Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as information desks, lounges, ATMs, conference rooms for business travelers, newsagents, courtesy telephones, restaurants, restrooms, facilities for handicapped passengers, retail shopping outlets, ticket counters, baggage claim, and locker facilities, gift shops, transportation, car park and more at the airport.
Parking at Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options to travelers. Parking Areas are available outside of the main terminal of the airport. One can choose from on-site parking options, off-site car parks, and a cell phone lot that is located in the nearest proximity to the airport.
Free parking at the airport is only offered for a limited period.
Valet Parking:
A Valet Parking service is also available at the airport. You also receive complimentary services, such as window cleaning and interior vacuuming, and luggage assistance.
Airlines Served by Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines Airport serves only a few domestic, international, government, and cargo airlines. Airlines that operate short and long-distance flights to and from the airport include:
Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines.
Facilities and Services Available at Des Moines International Airport
Des Moines International Airport in Iowa offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport also offers a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.
Security Check-points
There are security checkpoints at the airport’s terminals. All passengers are required to pass through the security checkpoints.
Help Desk
When you are at the Des Moines International airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. They are open 24 hours and can be found at the airside and landside of the airport’s terminal.
Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Points
Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminals at the airport, in case you want to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet. Free Wi-Fi is available for one hour only. Users will need to re-connect to access Wi-Fi when the free 1-hour internet browsing session is over.
In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery. These can be found at both the landside and airside of the airport’s terminal.
Baggage Handling and Storage
Luggage Lockers:
Lockers and luggage storage facilities are available at the airport.
Luggage Wrapping:
wrapping services are not available at the airport.
Luggage Trolleys/Carts:
Luggage carts are available at the airport.
Porter Services:
Porter’s services are not available at the airport.
There are Baggage Claim and Lost and Found facilities available at the airport. Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.
Lounge and Business Conference Centre
Des Moines International Airport does not provide a lounge to passengers.
Stores and Duty-Free Shopping
There are plenty of shops that can be easily found throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items, from children’s toys to fashion accessories for adults. You may also buy books, magazines, newspapers, etc., to help pass time during your stopover or flight delay.
Hudson News is located landside and airside that sells newspapers, magazines, books, and even sandwiches, and takeaway food items. On the airside, there is Tech on the Go which sells gadgets and other electronic devices, and 5th & Sunset which sells sunglasses and T-shirts.
Duty-Free stores are also available at the airport that sells all kinds of merchandise, including souvenirs. These are located at both the landside and airside of the airport’s terminal.
Cafes, Bar, and Restaurants
Finding snack and beverage options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at Des Monies International Airport.
These cafeterias and restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.
Food concessions throughout the airport are been operated with different schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and the airside.
These include Berk & Chester’s Kitchen and Bar located landside, and Arugula & Rye, Friedrichs Coffee, The Mill Supply Co., Pizza Hut, and Portermill Craft Beer located airside.
There are also vending machines found at both the landside and airside of the airport’s terminal.
Other Amenities Available at Des Moines International Airport
There are other amenities that are available to passengers at the airport. These include:
Cots:
The airport provides cots to stranded passengers that are useful, especially during the course of bad weather, when flights get canceled or delayed. In the event of such a situation, passengers can request cots from the airport’s staff.
Massage Chairs:
There is a facility available at the airport that offers massage chairs to travelers. It is located on the 2nd Floor of the Main Terminal, airside.
Business Centre:
The airport provides a business center for business travelers. It is located in Concourse Level A2. It includes facilities, such as workstations, telephones, and access to the internet. It is open from 5 am to 10 pm.
ATM:
ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATMs if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. You can find ATMs located in the airside and landside areas of the airport’s terminal.
Currency Exchange:
The currency used in Iowa is the United States Dollar (USD). Counter for currency exchange is available in several places at the airport.
Banking Services:
Banking facilities are available at the airport.
Postal Services:
Postboxes are available at the airport. These can be found at the landside, near the entrance.
Hotels On-site and Nearby Des Moines International Airport
Finding accommodations on-site or nearby Des Moines International Airport should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there.
Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find convenient and affordable places for a comfortable stay during your visit to Iowa in the USA.
A few hotels that are located on-site as well as near the airport are:
AmericInn Hotel & Suites Des Moines Airport:
The hotel is located across the street from the airport. There is a free airport shuttle service available.
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport:
The hotel is located about 2 minutes, across the street from the airport. There is a free airport shuttle service available.
Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport Conference Center:
The hotel is located about 2 minutes, across the street from the airport. There is a free airport shuttle service available 24 hours. Once you have collected your luggage, contact the hotel by calling them from the courtesy phone in the Baggage Claim (dial No. 7).
Transport Options To and From Des Moines International Airport
Getting to and from Des Moines International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.
Airport/Hotel Shuttle Services
Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to hotels and/or airports. Free shuttle buses provide travelers with easy connectivity. Also, there may be a few hotels in the city and adjoining areas that provide free or on-demand shuttle services to and from the airport.
Additionally, you may also book pre-arranged rides that offer services to and from the Des Moines International airport, which can also be scheduled as per your needs. You can usually find their kiosks or counters/stands located either at the terminal’s entrance or exit area. These may also contain information on the companies that are permitted to render such services at the airport.
Bus Service
Public bus transportation services are available for commuting to and from Des Moines International Airport. It is both affordable and convenient and can get you to places in no time. Bus services at the airport are available only on weekdays.
Train and Metro Services
Des Moines International Airport is connected with train and metro services.
Taxi Service
Taxis are available 24 hours at Des Moines Airport, if you need a ride to a hotel or want to go sightseeing. Taxi stands can be found in the ground transportation area of the airport. Taxis are metered and no reservation is required.
Car Hire/Rental Service
You can hire a car at Des Moines International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies that offer cars on hire/rent at the airport. The car hire/rental agencies or companies have their counters/stands located on-site.
The companies or agencies that offer car hire/rental services at the airport include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Ride-Sharing Service
Aside from several transport options that are available to travelers from and to Des Moines International Airport, ride-sharing services are also offered. Executive Express is a local and inter-city shared-ride shuttle service that has its counter located near the car rental counters, at the north end of the Baggage Claim area.
Conclusion
Traveling to and from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa, USA will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And, if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find lots of attractions to enjoy your holidays.
