Beijing to Des Moines flights
Des Moines lies 10,459 km (6,499 mi) north of Beijing, -13 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 14 h 10 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
Open Des Moines in Google Maps
| Beijing | Des Moines | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | China | United States |
| Population | 19 million | 214,133 |
| Elevation | 49 m (161 ft) | 264 m (866 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+8 (Asia/Shanghai) | UTC-5 (America/Chicago) |
| Nearest large airport | PEK, 25 km out | DSM, 8 km out |
| Postal codes | 100000 | 50301–50983 |
Clocks in Des Moines are 13 h behind Beijing right now, so a 14 h 10 min journey lands only 1 h 10 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Des Moines
Crossing from China into United States: money changes from the Yuan Renminbi to the Dollar (USD); sockets are NEMA 1-15, NEMA 5-15; the dialling code becomes +1; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q533806.
Airports at each end
Leaving Beijing
Beijing is served by 2 airports with scheduled flights within 100 km. The closest large one is Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), 25 km (16 mi) from the centre, whose 12,467-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft. The alternatives are Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX, 45 km).
Arriving in Des Moines
Des Moines is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Des Moines International Airport (DSM), 8 km (5 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 9,004 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines International Airport | DSM | 8 km (5 mi) | 9,004 ft | 958 ft |
One end has no runway over 10,000 ft, so at 10,459 km (6,499 mi) this pair is unlikely to be flown nonstop by a wide-body; expect a connection.
Book a flight to Des Moines
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Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Des Moines
Live rooms and prices for Des Moines are in the search below.
Book a hotel in Des Moines
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Des Moines from Beijing?
10,459 km (6,499 mi) in a straight line, north of Beijing.
How long does it take to get from Beijing to Des Moines by air?
About 14 h 10 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Beijing and Des Moines?
Des Moines is 13 h behind at the moment (America/Chicago against Asia/Shanghai).
Which airports are used for Beijing to Des Moines flights?
Typically Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Des Moines International Airport (DSM).
What currency do I need in Des Moines?
The Dollar (USD).
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.