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How to get fromDes Moines Airport (DSM) to San Diegoby plane, bus, train, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak) or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines Airport (DSM) to San Diego by plane, bus, train, bus (Greyhound, Amtrak), or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly to San Diego International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego International Airport (SAN)planeDSM - SAN
    5h 15m
    $210–1,000

  2. Fly to Tijuana International Airport

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)planeDSM - TIJ
    10h 46m
    $139–646

  3. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus
    2. Take the train from Kansas City to Fullerton Amtrak Stationtrain
    3. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diegotrain
    44h 28m
    $290–850

  4. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Denverbus
    2. Take the bus from Denver to ABQ Alvarado Transportation Centerbus
    3. Take the bus from Albuquerque Bus Station to Los Angeles Union Stationbus
    4. Take the bus from Los Angeles to San Diegobus
    45h 28m

  5. Drive 1,744.5 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines Airport (DSM) to San Diegocar1,744.5 mi
    27h 3m
    $319–460

  6. Fly to Los Angeles International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)planeDSM - LAX
    2. Take the bus from LAX Terminal 3 Shared Rides Stop to San Diegobus
    8h 2m
    $192–721

  7. Fly to John Wayne Airport Orange County, train

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to John Wayne Airport Orange County (SNA)planeDSM - SNA
    2. Take the train from Fullerton Amtrak Station to San Diegotrain
    9h 52m
    $240–945

  8. Fly to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport, train

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Mcclellan–Palomar Airport (CLD)planeDSM - CLD
    2. Take the train from Carlsbad Village Station to San Diego - Santa Fe Depottrain
    10h 18m
    $180–799

Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) flights

Calendar103Weekly Planes
Duration6h 17mAverage Duration
Ticket$218Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

What companies run services between Des Moines Airport (DSM), USA and San Diego, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and three other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Diego International Airport (SAN) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle from Des Moines International Airport, IA to San Diego via Ankeny, IA, Des Moines, Denver, Denver, ABQ Alvarado Transportation Center, Albuquerque Bus Station, Los Angeles Union Station, and Los Angeles in around 45h 28m.

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