Travelling from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Seoul: what you need to know
The timezone in Seoul is UTC+9. The city is 14 hours ahead of Des Moines, where Des Moines International Airport is located.
Give yourself enough time to catch your DSM to Seoul flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Planning to travel during a peak time like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and perhaps even explore a different city. When searching for flight tickets from DSM to Seoul, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Consider one of these popular options:
O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Harry Reid Airport (formerly McCarran Airport) (LAS)
Travelling from central Des Moines to DSM takes around 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to DSM:
Des Moines International Airport has a strong on-time performance, so flight disruptions are less likely. Departures from DSM touch down on schedule 80.45% of the time.
The address for DSM is 5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 201.
How to find the cheapest flights from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Seoul
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way Des Moines International Airport to Seoul flight is R 9,671. The cheapest price for a return flight is R 17,271. Remember fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap flights from DSM to Seoul if you book ahead. Airlines often have some great early bird deals.
The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul across every month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from DSM to Seoul by creating a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or notification through the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Tailor your trip with filters. Choose your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul.
Airports in Seoul
Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Incheon International Airport (ICN) is around 48 kilometres from central Seoul. How long it takes to get to the centre will depend on the time of day. Do some research before your trip.
It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes if you're using public transport.
The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul. Reserve one of these accommodation options near ICN instead:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up an Incheon International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from WECAR, Hi Rent A Car or Alamo and experience the lesser-explored corners of Seoul and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your vehicle from Incheon International Airport about four weeks in advance of your flight from DSM to Seoul.
Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Gimpo International Airport (GMP) is around 16 kilometres from the centre of Seoul. Check out your options for travelling into town after your flight from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul has touched down.
Travelling by public transport will take about 1 hour 5 minutes.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and unwind at a hotel close to GMP. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your DSM to Seoul flight:
Forget about inconvenient public transport schedules or waiting in a long cab line. Pick up a Gimpo International Airport rental car and let the journey unfold your way. Compare availability and rates from GOGO Rent a Car, Gogo Rental Car Seoul and Hi Rent A Car.
Snap up the best price by booking your ride from GMP one week ahead of time. You'll also have access to a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Seoul
Before locking in your flights from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul, consider which time of year is best for you. Peak season in Seoul offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of things to do, while the off-season brings cheaper hotel rates and smaller crowds.
Lock in a Des Moines International Airport to Seoul flight ticket with a departure in August if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 19ºC (66ºF) to 32ºC (90ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between -12ºC (10ºF) and 4ºC (39ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from DSM to Seoul around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Seoul
Start your Seoul trip right by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Des Moines International Airport to Seoul, check out our range of hotels including:
Bukchon Hanok Village and Gyeongbokgung Palace are just two of the popular attractions to add to your Seoul to-do list. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out N Seoul Tower.
Explore more of South Korea
Seoul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of South Korea just waiting to be discovered. About 322 kilometres south-east of Seoul, a trip to Busan will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like Haeundae Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village and Beomeosa Temple.
Around 241 kilometres south-east of Seoul, Daegu is another essential stop in South Korea. Experience this destination's highlights firsthand at Duryu Park People's Garden, E-World and Apsan Park.