Travelling from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Zurich Airport (ZRH): what you need to know
Zurich's timezone is UTC+1, making Zurich six hours ahead of Des Moines.
To ensure you get on your DSM to ZRH flight, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for a domestic departure is a smart move.
Consider adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Here's where you can stop between DSM and ZRH:
O'Hare International Airport
Newark Liberty International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
Currently, 382 € is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is 690 €. Remember that fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from DSM to ZRH if you book ahead. Airlines often have some amazing early bird discounts.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price across every month when looking for your flight from Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from DSM to ZRH by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Discover the ideal flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Handy information about Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
You'll find DSM at 5800 Fleur Drive, Suite 201.
Des Moines International Airport maintains a solid on-time record, making delays less likely. Departures from DSM make it to their destination as scheduled 80.45% of the time.
Central Des Moines to Des Moines International Airport is around 10 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 15 minutes to get there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab.
Expect a trip time of around 45 minutes when using public transport.
Booked an early flight from Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels near DSM:
Arriving at Zurich Airport (ZRH)
If you're getting in on a late Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport flight, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be resting not long after at one of these accommodation options near ZRH:
Travel at your own pace with a Zurich Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Alamo, Europcar or Green Motion and chase adventure across Zurich and beyond.
Booking your vehicle from Zurich Airport about two weeks ahead increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Getting from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to central Zurich
Zurich Airport is roughly 13 kilometres from the centre of Zurich. The drive time takes around 20 minutes.
It takes roughly 1 hour 35 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to Zurich Airport (ZRH)
The quietest month for a flight from Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport is January, while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to visit Zurich based on whether you prefer a faster pace or a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Zurich is July, with the temperature ranging between 10ºC (50ºF) and 27ºC (81ºF). Book your flights from Des Moines International Airport to Zurich Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap tickets from DSM to ZRH in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between -6ºC (21ºF) and 7ºC (45ºF) on average.
Explore more of Switzerland
Zurich is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Switzerland waiting to be explored. About 72 kilometres west of Zurich, a trip to Basel will keep your itinerary busy. Start with leading sights like Basel Minster, Bistro Kunstmuseum Basel and Rhine River Cruises.
If you're ready to explore another great destination in Switzerland, head for Bern, roughly 97 kilometres south-west of Zurich. Old Town Bern, Zytglogge and Bern Cathedral are key reasons to visit.
