Airport Hotels
Whether you need a same-night room after a late arrival or want to minimize your door-to-gate time on an early morning flight, DSM has options: no hotel is physically attached to the terminal, but 3 nearby properties run free 24-hour airport shuttles so you are at the curb in minutes. Rates shown are typical starting points — prices change by date and demand.
No hotels are connected directly to DSM's terminals. The closest options are a short drive away and all run free 24-hour shuttles — see the table below.
The following properties are within 0.9 miles of DSM and operate complimentary airport shuttles. Call from baggage claim and the van is typically there within 10–15 minutes.
| Hotel | Rate | Distance | Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center | from $99/night | 0.3 mi | ✓ |
| Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport | from $89/night | 0.7 mi | ✓ |
| AmericInn by Wyndham Des Moines Airport | from $65/night | 0.9 mi | ✓ |
Rates are typical starting points and change by date. A ✓ means a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle — call the hotel from baggage claim before you head outside.
Rideshare: $7–$12 Uber/Lyft to most airport-area hotels; roughly $7–10 to downtown Des Moines (about 4 miles, ~11 minutes). Uber and Lyft pick up at the designated rideshare zone on the arrivals/lower level — follow the in-app pin rather than the street signs, as pickup spots at DSM are managed through the apps.
Hotel shuttles: All three hotels run complimentary 24-hour shuttles; call the hotel from the courtesy phone near baggage claim after you land and wait at the marked hotel-shuttle pickup point on the arrivals curb.
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is approximately 4 miles from Downtown Des Moines. That translates to roughly 10–20 minutes by car or rideshare, depending on traffic. If you have an early morning flight and want to cut your commute to near-zero, an airport-area hotel with a free shuttle beats the drive in most situations — especially when you factor in parking costs.
For more on ground transport options between DSM and Downtown Des Moines, including taxis, transit, and the cell-phone waiting lot, see the full DSM getting-around guide.
Airport hotels near DSM fill fastest around major holidays, long weekends, and large local events — rates can jump 40–80% in the days before high-demand dates. As a general rule, 2–4 weeks in advance gives you a solid range of options at reasonable prices. For summer travel (June through August) and the Thanksgiving/Christmas window, booking 6–8 weeks out is worth the extra planning.
For same-night stays — the kind you need after a diverted or badly delayed flight — airport hotels are typically the fastest to book and closest to the exit. Having the hotel app downloaded before you travel means you can secure a room before you even reach baggage claim. Rates for same-night walk-in bookings are almost always higher than advance reservations.
Midweek nights (Tuesday and Wednesday) at airport hotels near DSM are reliably cheaper than weekend nights — if your itinerary is flexible, shifting an overnight stay by a day or two can save $30–$70 per night.
No hotels are connected directly to DSM's terminals, but several properties within a short drive offer free 24-hour shuttles.
Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport/Conf Center and Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines Airport both offer a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle — call from baggage claim and the van is typically there within 10–15 minutes.
$7–$12 Uber/Lyft to most airport-area hotels; roughly $7–10 to downtown Des Moines (about 4 miles, ~11 minutes). All three hotels run complimentary 24-hour shuttles; call the hotel from the courtesy phone near baggage claim after you land and wait at the marked hotel-shuttle pickup point on the arrivals curb.
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is about 4 miles from Downtown Des Moines. Driving typically takes 20–45 minutes depending on traffic; rideshare is the most flexible option for short trips downtown.
Airport hotels near DSM book fast around holidays and major events — aim to reserve at least 2–4 weeks in advance for the best rates. For the same-night stays that often follow a delayed or diverted flight, rates spike; having a few options bookmarked in advance helps.
Plan your hotel night around your flight
Use the Leave-By calculator to find the exact time you need to leave the hotel — folding in the DSM security wait, your shuttle time, and a buffer to your gate.
Get my Leave-By Time →See also: DSM TSA wait times · Getting to/from DSM · DSM airport parking