Flying from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to London: what you need to know
The timezone in London is UTC+0. The city is five hours ahead of Des Moines, where Des Moines International Airport is located.
For stress-free travel, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your DSM to London flight.
If you're flying during a major holiday or another peak period, allow for even more time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Queues at check-in and security will be longer.
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight ticket from DSM to London. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a detour (and maybe pocket some savings) by stopping at one of these popular options:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
DSM is around 6 kilometres from central Des Moines. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 45 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Des Moines International Airport to London? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these stays near DSM:
Des Moines International Airport has an excellent on-time record, so flight disruptions are less likely. Departures from DSM touch down on schedule 80.45% of the time.
DSM is located at 5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 201.
How to find the cheapest flights from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to London
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Des Moines International Airport to London flight is RM881. The cheapest price for a return flight is RM2,489. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from DSM to London if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Des Moines International Airport to London across every month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates aren't set in stone.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from DSM to London.
Save on your flight from Des Moines International Airport to London with the help of our filters. Select your preferred times, airlines and number of stops, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to the centre of London takes around 55 minutes by car. The centre is roughly 31 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour if you're travelling by public transport.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Des Moines International Airport to London. Stay at one of these accommodation options near LHR instead:
Travel at your own pace with a London Heathrow Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Surprice, U-Save or Green Motion and venture far and wide through London and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from London Heathrow Airport about one week ahead of your flight from DSM to London.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The centre of London is located around 80 kilometres from London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Once your flight from Des Moines International Airport to London has landed and you've made your way to arrivals, expect a drive of about 1 hour 20 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take about 30 minutes.
Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel near LGW. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your DSM to London flight:
The quickest way to get to where you're going is with a London Gatwick Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Green Motion, U-Save or Drivalia and set off in the blink of an eye.
Snap up the best price by securing your ride from LGW three weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater selection of vehicles.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Stansted Airport (STN) is about 64 kilometres from the centre of London. It takes about 1 hour to reach the city centre in a cab or ride-share after your flight from Des Moines International Airport to London.
Public transport will take you there in roughly 1 hour 25 minutes.
If you don't want to make your way into the centre, head for a hotel near STN. Get comfortable at one of these options after your DSM to London flight:
Whether you're looking for a mini for solo travel or a roomy SUV to fit the whole crew comfortably, you'll find the perfect Stansted Airport rental car for you. Check out the types of wheels available from companies such as Green Motion, Drivalia and Europcar.
If you're after a specific type of vehicle, book your ride from STN around four weeks before your flight from Des Moines International Airport to London. This gives you a better chance of getting the car you want, as well as a better price.
Best time to go to London
Visit London in high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that prices are usually higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Des Moines International Airport to London during the off-season when prices are cheaper and crowds are smaller.
Book a Des Moines International Airport to London flight ticket with a departure in July if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 11ºC (52ºF) to 26ºC (79ºF).
Search for cheap tickets from DSM to London in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 0ºC (32ºF) and 9ºC (48ºF) on average.
More about London
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best stays in London right here. Explore these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Des Moines International Airport to London:
The British Museum and Big Ben are a couple of leading attractions to add to your London travel itinerary. Keep the momentum going by heading to Buckingham Palace.
Explore more of United Kingdom
Birmingham is just one of the many cities in United Kingdom waiting to be explored once you've seen the sights of London. Around 161 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include Cadbury World, The Library of Birmingham and National Sea Life Centre.
If you're ready to explore another corner of United Kingdom, consider Bristol, about 177 kilometres west of London. Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cabot Tower and Brandon Hill Nature Park are key reasons to visit.