Car rental at the Des Moines International Airport

Located only three miles southwest of downtown Des Moines, Des Moines International Airport (DSM) serves as a major gateway to the state of Iowa. With a variety of flights linking to major cities in the USA, it caters to millions of passengers each year.

Car Rental at the Airport

There are several car rental agencies situated on the airport premises such as Hertz, Enterprise, and Budget. They’re located at the baggage claim area so collecting your car is easy and fast. Remember, vehicles are left-hand drive here which differs from the UK’s right-hand drive.

Points of Interest Near the Airport

The state capital, Iowa, isn’t just a flyover state. It’s packed with intriguing sites that you can explore with your rental car.

• The Des Moines Art Center: This is an Art Museum with momentous contemporary and modern artworks.
• The Pappajohn Sculpture Park: A beautiful park featuring awe-inspiring sculptures from 27 world-renowned artists.

Getting Around

With vast interstates and highways, car travel and navigation tend to be easy around Des Moines. Try to avoid rush hours, usually from 7-9am and 4-6pm.

In Need of Fuel?

There are numerous petrol stations near the airport including Hy-Vee Gas, Kum & Go, and QuikTrip. Don’t forget, in the US you fuel up before paying!

Climate and Currency

Des Moines has a humid continental climate. Winters are cold and snowy while summers are warm to hot and humid. You might want to base on this when deciding the car class. On the currency front, the US uses the US Dollar ($), so you might want to have some on hand for tolls and parking meters.

Explore Surrounding Cities

Once you have your rental car, why not explore beyond Des Moines? Cedar Rapids and Iowa City make for great day trips.

Enjoy your travels!