Des Moines Airport Garage Daily Parking: $21/Day, Hourly Rates and the New North Garage (2026)

As of October 2026, Des Moines airport garage daily parking costs $21/day, and you walk to the terminal with no shuttle. For short visits, Garage Hourly parking is free for the first 2 hours, then $2/hour up to $48/day. A week in Garage Daily comes to about $147.

This page covers the garage at DSM; for every lot, start with our Des Moines airport parking overview.

DSM Garage Rates: Daily vs Hourly

Garage Daily is for trips of a day or more; Garage Hourly is for drop-offs, pick-ups and short visits.

Rates are from the airport's official parking rates page. The 7-day total assumes one daily maximum per day. For Garage Daily, the airport's rate list shows $2/hour, but the lot data behind its parking page lists $1 per 20 minutes, so a short Garage Daily stay could be billed at up to $3/hour; the $21 daily maximum is the same either way. Leaving a car in the Hourly section for a full day costs more than twice the Daily rate, so follow signs for Daily parking on longer trips.

The New North Garage

The newest part of the garage opened on 1 July 2025, adding 1,100 parking spaces, many of them covered.

Construction began in March 2023 as part of Lift DSM, the airport's terminal program. The airport's Lift DSM project page says the new terminal opens in January 2027, with entry from the skywalk, a crosswalk from the parking garage, or the front curb. The existing skywalk links the terminal to the garage today.

Booking the DSM Garage Online

The airport sells prepaid garage parking online, with touchless entry and exit using a QR code.

• Book ahead: at least 6 hours before arrival, for at least 24 hours.
• Price: quoted per 24-hour period from your entry time, rounded up on the last day, including a $1.99 booking fee. Prices can vary with the time of booking and availability.
• Changes: cancel or edit up to 2 hours before your start time for a full refund.
• Overstays: extra time is paid by credit card at the exit. There are no refunds for leaving early.
• Spaces: a booking doesn't guarantee a specific spot; you still find an open stall.

These terms come from the airport's parking reservation FAQ. Garage reservations are limited, so if your dates aren't offered, drive-up parking may still be available.

Garage vs Economy: Is the Walk Worth It?

The garage saves you a shuttle ride but costs $7 to $14 more per day than the economy lots.

On a 5-day trip, the Red Lot saves $70 over the garage. Shuttles to the economy lots run 24/7, every 10 to 15 minutes; our Des Moines economy parking guide covers each lot. A hotel lot 1.3 miles away was about $9.40/day for a sample stay on Triply (it includes fees and changes by date); see our park and fly options near DSM.

Short-Term and Pick-Up Parking in the Garage

The first 2 hours in Garage Hourly are free, which covers most airport pick-ups.

EZ-PICKUP stalls inside the garage also give drivers 2 free hours if they stay with the car, and rideshare pick-up is on level 1. As of October 2026, waiting at the front curb is not allowed while terminal construction continues, and EZ-PICKUP stays in place until the new terminal opens, expected in January 2027. Check current status on flydsm.com before you go. Our DSM pick-up and cell lot guide explains how each works.

When the Garage Is the Right Choice

The garage is worth the higher rate for short trips, bad weather and tight timing.

• One- or two-day trips: the gap with economy is $7 to $14 a day, which matters less on a short stay.
• Winter travel: many of the North Garage spaces are covered, which helps when it snows.
• Early flights: the TSA checkpoint opens at 3:45 a.m., and walking in saves the shuttle wait.
• Heavy bags or small children: no loading onto a shuttle at either end.

The airport recommends arriving at least 90 minutes before your flight if you are parking and checking bags, and more at peak times; TSA has security screening rules.

Getting From the Garage to the Terminal

A skywalk connects the garage to the terminal, so you can walk in without crossing traffic.

Travelers with pets will find the pet relief area outside the terminal by the parking garage, north of the skywalk. Wheelchair assistance from the curb to the plane is available through G2 Secure Staff at (515) 256-5500.

Garage Tips

• Check open spaces first. The airport's parking page shows live availability for Hourly and Daily.
• Note your garage and level. Daily parking spans Garages A, B and C.
• Accessible parking: both Hourly and Daily have accessible stalls; display a current plate or permit.
• EV stalls: designated EV stalls are for electric vehicles only. The airport doesn't publish charger numbers or costs.
• Car trouble: call (515) 256-5038; jump-starts aren't offered for hybrid or electric vehicles.
• Long stays: 60 consecutive days maximum.
• Compare first: see every lot's daily rate in our Des Moines airport parking fees page.