Des Moines (DSM) Airport Limo Service

Stretch Limo Service to and from Des Moines International (DSM) Airport

Flights into Des Moines arrive at a capital city that keeps growing, and the ride out of the terminal should keep pace with it. Union Limousine operates Iowa airport limo service planned around DSM arrival times, airline delays, and the drive to wherever your day continues next, whether that means a downtown hotel, a West Des Moines office park, or a family home in Ankeny.

We watch every inbound flight, position a chauffeur at the airport before your aircraft reaches the gate, and handle luggage from baggage claim to the trunk. Corporate travelers, wedding parties, college teams, and families heading to the Iowa State Fair all book the same way: one call, one confirmed rate, and one professional driver holding a sign with your name.

Why Iowa Travelers Choose Our DSM Airport Limo Service?

Central Iowa travelers want a ride that shows up on time, charges what was quoted, and gets them home before the snow picks up. Here is what each reservation includes:

• Live flight monitoring, so a late connection from Denver, Chicago, or Atlanta never leaves you waiting on an empty curb.
• All inclusive quotes that cover airport fees, gratuity options, and wait time, agreed before the trip begins.
• Chauffeurs who know Fleur Drive, the Interstate 35 and Interstate 80 corridors, and the quickest way into Ames, Iowa City, and the western suburbs.
• Late model vehicles cleaned and inspected before every pickup.
• Dispatch staff available around the clock for 5 a.m. departures and midnight returns.

Travelers who also need a ride for a prom, anniversary, concert, or night out after they get home can book through our statewide limo service in Iowa, with the same chauffeurs and the same booking line.

Des Moines International (DSM) Airport Guide

Quick Reference

 

History and Importance of DSM

The airport traces its roots to a 1929 Iowa law that allowed cities to fund municipal airfields. After reviewing over 80 possible sites, Des Moines selected 160 acres of farmland south of downtown, and construction ran from 1932 into 1933. A new terminal followed in 1950, the current concourses arrived in 1970, and the field took the name Des Moines International Airport in 1986 when a customs office opened on site. In 2011 the Des Moines Airport Authority assumed control under a 99 year lease from the city. Today DSM spans roughly 2,600 acres with two concrete runways of about 9,000 feet each, and it stands as the busiest commercial airport in Iowa.

Airlines Serving DSM

Six carriers fly from DSM: Allegiant Air, American Airlines with American Eagle partners, Delta Air Lines with Delta Connection, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines with United Express. Southwest has also announced Nashville service planned for March 2027.

Domestic Destinations From DSM

DSM reached a record 35 nonstop destinations in 2025. Popular connections include:

• Hub flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Houston Intercontinental, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
• Coastal business routes to New York LaGuardia, Washington National, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
• Leisure flights to Las Vegas, Orlando Sanford, Fort Myers, St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Punta Gorda, Austin, Boston, and Burbank.
• Seasonal routes to Destin, Nashville, Newark, Portland, and Sarasota.

Terminal Information

The current terminal operates 13 gates on a single, easy to walk layout. Under the LiftDSM program, a new terminal adding six gates is scheduled to open in January 2027, and the airport kept full flight schedules running throughout construction. Four new deice pads were also finished ahead of the 2025 winter season to reduce weather delays.

Passenger Traffic

DSM welcomed 3,254,107 passengers in 2025, a 2.4 percent increase and an all time record. It was the third straight year above three million travelers, even with November and December storms cancelling a number of flights.

Parking Overview

Covered garage parking starts at $20 per day, and a new garage that opened in July 2025 raised garage capacity by 63 percent. The Grey, Red, and Blue economy lots start at $7 per day, with free shuttles running continuously to the terminal. Vehicles may stay up to 60 consecutive days, and construction may temporarily affect some surface lots, so leave a little extra time.

Pickup and Drop Off Guidance

The front terminal curb is limited to active loading and unloading, and vehicles waiting there without a passenger may be ticketed. Private drivers can use the free cell phone lot across from the Blue Lot or the EZ Pickup area inside the parking garage, where numbered stalls let drivers text their location to arriving guests. Our chauffeurs follow these rules and send you the exact meeting point by text, so you walk straight to the vehicle.

Ground Transportation Options

Arriving passengers can choose ride apps, taxis, rental cars, hotel shuttles, or public transit. The DART Route 8 Fleur bus connects the airport with downtown Des Moines on a fixed schedule. For travelers with luggage, tight meeting times, or a group, a Union Limousine chauffeur remains the most predictable choice.

Tips for Arriving Passengers

• Share your flight number when booking so we can adjust pickup times automatically.
• Text your chauffeur once you deplane, then head to baggage claim.
• Check Iowa road conditions before winter trips to Ames, Iowa City, or rural destinations.
• Keep a warm layer handy from November through March, when Iowa wind chills can drop well below freezing.
• Allow extra time during LiftDSM construction, since roadway patterns near the terminal may shift.

Why a Pre Booked Chauffeur Is Often the Easier Choice?

Rideshare pricing can climb after a full flight from Denver lands at the same moment as two others, and taxi availability thins out late at night. A pre booked chauffeur arrives with a fixed rate, a vehicle sized for your group and luggage, and a driver who already knows your flight status. Business travelers also receive clean receipts for expense reports, and parents can request child seats ahead of time.

Our DSM Airport Fleet and Passenger Capacity

Executive Sedans

• Capacity: 1 to 3 passengers.
• Use cases: solo executives, couples, and quick transfers to downtown hotels or West Des Moines offices.

Luxury SUVs

• Capacity: 4 to 6 passengers.
• Use cases: families with luggage, ski or golf bags, and winter trips that benefit from all wheel drive.

Stretch Limousines

• Capacity: 8 to 20 passengers.
• Use cases: anniversary arrivals, bachelorette groups, and wedding parties heading to venues around Des Moines.

Sprinter Vans

• Capacity: 8 to 14 passengers.
• Use cases: corporate teams, wedding guests, and travel groups with plenty of luggage.

Party Buses

• Capacity: 15 to 30 passengers.
• Use cases: milestone birthdays, concert nights at downtown arenas, and celebration groups arriving together.

Mini Charter Buses

• Capacity: 20 to 35 passengers.
• Use cases: conference delegations, church groups, and youth sports teams.

Full Size Charter Buses

• Capacity: 36 to 56 passengers.
• Use cases: university athletic teams, large conventions, and multiday tours across Iowa.

Popular DSM Routes Across Central Iowa

Downtown Des Moines

The drive from DSM to downtown usually takes about ten minutes outside rush hour. We serve hotels near the Iowa Events Center, Principal Park, the Court Avenue district, the East Village, and the Principal Financial Group campus. Visitors planning a full schedule can browse local things to do in Des Moines before they arrive.

Suburban Communities

Daily rides run to West Des Moines, Jordan Creek Town Center, Valley Junction, Ankeny, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, Clive, and Altoona near Prairie Meadows. Corporate travelers who prefer a sedan for a single business trip can book our DSM airport car service with the same flight monitoring.

College Towns and Regional Trips

Ames and Iowa State University sit about 40 minutes north, Iowa City and the University of Iowa about two hours east, and Indianola, Pella, and Drake University are all easy runs from the terminal. Game weekends at Jack Trice Stadium and Kinnick Stadium fill fast, so we recommend booking early.

Connections With Other Iowa Airports

We also arrange transfers between DSM and The Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, Ankeny Regional Airport for private aviation, and Ames Municipal Airport when a flight plan changes at the last minute.

Corporate, Group, and Event Transfers From DSM

Insurance, finance, and agribusiness firms bring a steady stream of visitors through Des Moines every week. Union Limousine coordinates multi car arrivals for board meetings, investor visits, and recruiting events, with a single invoice for the entire trip. Teams of eight to fourteen often prefer our Iowa airport Sprinter van service, since everyone rides together with luggage aboard.

For the Iowa State Fair, the Drake Relays, large weddings, and statewide conventions, our charter bus service in Iowa moves up to 56 guests at once from the terminal to hotels, venues, and fairgrounds.

Reserve Your Des Moines Airport Ride Today

Share your flight number, passenger count, and destination, and we will send a confirmed quote right away. Union Limousine has provided chauffeured transportation since 1997, and our nationwide limo service brings that experience to every DSM pickup and drop off. Call or book online to lock in your chauffeur before your next flight to Des Moines.