Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Des Moines Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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The flood of 1993 was horrible and displayed the DMIA at its worse. – Jake
DSM Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Des Moines International Airport.
What to Expect
Des Moines Airport (code: DSM) comprises a mid-size terminal with two concourses (A and C). The terminal includes several eateries and shops, primarily located on the landside. Vending machines are the only snack and drink options when these services close for the night, so plan accordingly. WiFi is available, and there are plenty of outlets for charging mobile devices. There are no private lounges at this airport.
Sleeping in Des Moines Airport
After security checkpoints close for the night, all passengers are restricted to the landside areas, and security must be re-cleared the next day when the checkpoints open. Much of the landside seating includes benches that are circular or feature armrests. However, at least one large comfortable armrest-free bench is located at the north end of the check-in area. A carpeted area near the car rentals and baggage claim area has also been cited as a potentially decent spot to spend the night. To block out the bright lights and noise, consider bringing eyeshades and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones. For uninterrupted sleep, a hotel across the street and some other hotels near the airport provide free airport shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Des Moines Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours. The TSA security checkpoint is open from 3:45 AM – 8:00 PM.
Remember that airline check-in and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Des Moines Airport that provide free airport shuttles:
- Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport Conference Center » Check Rates
- Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport » Check Rates
- AmericInn Hotel & Suites Des Moines Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Des Moines Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
There are no pay-per-use lounges at this time.
Food & Drinks
At the time of this update, there were no 24-hour food concessions. In the airport, you will find:
- Landside: Berk & Chester’s Kitchen and Bar
- Airside: Arugula & Rye • Friedrichs Coffee • The Mill Supply Co • Portermill Craft Beer
- There are vending machines located landside and airside.
Drinking Water
Thirsty? Drinking water fountains are available free of charge. Location: Concourse A • Concourse C.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
USB and regular power outlets can be found landside and airside.
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi / Internet
Unlimited free WiFi is available at Des Moines Airport. Connect to the Boingo network.
Pro-Tip: Once your free session is over, you can start it again for free after watching another commercial. You can repeat this as many times as you want.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
Business Center – Provides workstations and internet access. Location: Concourse level A2. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Massages – Not available
Nursing Room – Mamava nursing pods are available. Location: Airside.
Postal Services – Drop off your last-minute postcards to friends and family from the airport’s mailbox. Location: Landside, near the airport entrance.
Shopping – Hudson News offers magazines, books, deli sandwiches and other to-go food items at the Landside location. Airside, you will also find a Hudson News, which includes a Tech on the Go (selling all things tech-related) and a 5th & Sunset (sunglasses, T-shirts).
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Bus
Bus service is available to and from DSM Airport, Monday to Friday only. For route maps, schedules and fares, visit the DART website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental agencies are located on-site in the baggage claim area: Alamo • American Rent-A-Car • Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Hertz • National.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: AmericInn by Wyndham Des Moines Airport • Baymont Des Moines – Airport Conference Center • Days Inn and Suites – Des Moines Airport • DoubleTree by Hilton Des Moines Airport • Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport • Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport • Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Des Moines Downtown • Homewood Suites by Hilton Des Moines Airport • Hyatt Place Des Moines Downtown.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis and Shuttles
Taxis are available in the ground transportation area 24 hours a day. All taxis are metered, and reservations are not required. Executive Express, a local and inter-city shared-ride shuttle service, has a service counter near the rental car counters at the north end of the baggage claim area.
Uber and Lyft drop off passengers at the airport entrance and pick them up on the south side of the terminal outside the baggage claim exit.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.