Travelling from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is nine hours ahead of Des Moines, where Des Moines International Airport is located.
To avoid missing your DSM to Istanbul flight, leave enough time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
You can expect longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your trip and possibly even explore another city. When searching for plane tickets from DSM to Istanbul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
DSM is about 6 kilometres from central Des Moines. If you're catching a taxi, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take 15 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic. If you're using public transport, expect the journey time to be around 30 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul? Avoid the last-minute rush to the airport (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by choosing one of these stays near DSM:
77% of flights taking off from Des Moines International Airport reach their destination on time.
DSM is located at 5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 201.
How to find the cheapest flights from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Istanbul
R 5,685 is currently the best price for a one-way Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul flight. A return plane ticket starts at R 10,104. These prices can change based on demand and availability.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from DSM to Istanbul. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend.
Landing cheap tickets from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul is easier if you're flexible with your travel plans. Use the 'Whole month' search function to access the lowest prices throughout the month and bag a sweet deal.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you as soon as there's an updated deal for cheap flights from DSM to Istanbul.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul takes about 45 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 40 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul. Book one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks ahead of your flight from DSM to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
After your flight from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul has hit the tarmac, you can make your way to the city centre in about 1 hour 5 minutes by car. Central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW).
If you're travelling on public transport, it'll take about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Following your DSM to Istanbul flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel near SAW. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Get the pick of the lot. Booking your ride from SAW four weeks ahead of time often means better deals and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Istanbul
August is the busiest month for flights from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul. To steer clear of the crowds, plan your trip to Istanbul in February.
When booking your Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the type of weather you enjoy. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from DSM to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Des Moines International Airport to Istanbul, check out our selection of accommodation options including:
Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia Museum are just the start of the top-rated attractions to put on your Istanbul to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Hagia Sophia History Museum.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've done Istanbul, now it's time to explore more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey around 354 kilometres east to Ankara to check off its leading attractions. From The Roman Theatre to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're eager to discover another corner of Türkiye (Turkey), head for Izmir, about 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square are highlights.
