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How to get fromDes Moines to San Joseby plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), bus, train, subway, or car

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There are 8 ways to get from Des Moines to San Jose by plane, bus (Greyhound, Flixbus), bus, train, subway, or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport

    best
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane DSM - SJC
    5h 51m
    $241–974

  2. Fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain

    cheapest
    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane DSM - SFO
    2. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    7h 4m
    $183–592

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Denverbus bus
    2. Take the bus from Denver Union Station to Sparks Transit Centerbus bus
    3. Take the bus from Sparks Transit Center to Oaklandbus bus
    4. Take the bus from Oakland to San Jose Diridon Stationbus bus
    43h 34m

  4. Bus, train, BART

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Omahabus bus
    2. Take the bus from Omaha, NE to Denverbus bus
    3. Take the train from Denver to Richmondtrain train
    4. Take the subway from Richmond to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    2d 1h

  5. Drive 1,824.1 mi

    1. Drive from Des Moines to San Josecar car 1,824.1 mi
    27h 52m
    $333–481

  6. Fly to Oakland International Airport, BART

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Oakland International Airport (OAK)plane plane DSM - OAK
    2. Take the subway from Coliseum to Berryessa / North San Josesubway subway
    6h 28m
    $256–1,033

  7. Fly to Stockton Metropolitan Airport, train

    1. Fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK)plane plane DSM - SCK
    2. Take the train from Lathrop/Manteca Station to San Jose Station Diridontrain train
    10h 55m
    $264–966

  8. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Des Moines to Kansas Citybus bus
    2. Take the train from Kansas City to Los Angelestrain train
    3. Take the train from Los Angeles to San Josetrain train
    2d 3h
    $733–1,552

Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) flights

Calendar56Weekly Planes
Duration6h 26mAverage Duration
Ticket$224Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Des Moines to San Jose.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 1,537.6 mi
  • Duration: 5h 51m

What companies run services between Des Moines, IA, USA and San Jose, CA, USA?

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, and two other airlines fly from Des Moines (DSM) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) every 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Des Moines to San Jose Diridon Station via Denver, Denver Union Station, Sparks Transit Center, and Oakland in around 43h 34m.

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