Current Average TSA Wait Time at MSP

Current average MSP Airport wait times

Security wait times at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport change throughout the day based on passenger volume, flight schedules, staffing, and weather conditions. Typical wait times run between 20 and 25 minutes but can extend to around 50 minutes during heavy travel windows. Wait times are generally shortest during the middle of the day and longest during the early morning departure period.

Because conditions change by the hour, it’s best to check MSP security wait times before you leave for the airport.

Most travelers clear security relatively quickly during normal operating hours. However, travelers flying during Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and other major holidays should expect longer-than-average security lines and arrive earlier than usual.

When should you arrive at MSP Airport?

Regardless of what the live wait time indicator shows, MSP recommends building in extra time before your flight.

• Domestic flights: arrive at least 2 hours before departure.
• International flights: arrive at least 3 hours before departure.

This window accounts for parking, bag check, security screening, and the walk to your gate, not just the security line itself. If you’re traveling during holidays or other peak travel periods, arrive earlier than usual (consider arriving an additional 30 to 60 minutes earlier). Travelers using offsite parking should also allow extra time for shuttle transportation to the terminal.

Best times to go through security at MSP Airport

• Early morning before 6 a.m. and late evening after 9 p.m. tend to be the best times to go through security at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, often ranging from 5 to 15 minutes.
• Mid-afternoon (roughly 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.) is also quiet compared to the rest of the day.
• Tuesdays are frequently cited as the lightest weekday overall.

Times to avoid

• Between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. is consistently flagged across sources as the single worst window. Morning departures experience MSP's highest-volume period, since a large share of both business and leisure travel is scheduled to depart early in the day.
• Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., the evening rush is the second peak, when security lines are longest.
• Weekends, especially Sunday mornings and Saturday around 6 a.m., tend to run longer than weekdays.

How to skip the line

MSP RESERVE: Book a specific security time slot

If you’d rather not leave your wait time to chance, MSP RESERVE lets travelers reserve a specific appointment window at select checkpoints free of charge, with no membership or account required.

How it works:

• Reservations open up to 7 days before your flight.
• Appointment slots are available 240 to 60 minutes before your scheduled departure.
• At Terminal 1, reservations are available between 3:45 a.m. and 7:45 p.m. at the North Security Checkpoint.
• At Terminal 2, reservations are available at Checkpoint 2, between 3:45 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Because appointment slots are limited, MSP recommends booking as early as possible for your preferred time. Travelers already enrolled in TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can still use MSP RESERVE if they’d like, though they’ll follow standard screening procedures within that lane once they arrive.

TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry at MSP

Beyond MSP RESERVE, MSP supports the standard set of expedited screening programs such as:

• TSA PreCheck: Enrolled travelers can use dedicated PreCheck lanes at open checkpoints, generally skipping the need to remove shoes, laptops, belts, and light jackets, and allowing 3-1-1 liquids to stay in a carry-on. Availability depends on checkpoint operating hours.
• CLEAR: Rather than replacing TSA screening, CLEAR speeds up the identity verification process by using biometric technology before the TSA screening process. CLEAR can be particularly useful during busy travel periods when standard identification lines are longer. Passengers with both CLEAR and TSA PreCheck often experience the fastest screening process during busy periods.
• Global Entry: Global Entry speeds up customs and immigration processing for approved travelers returning to the U.S. from international destinations. Membership also includes TSA PreCheck benefits.

Family travel tips for TSA

Families traveling through MSP can make the screening process much easier with a little preparation.

Helpful tips include:

• Keep boarding passes readily available.
• Pack liquids according to TSA guidelines.
• Empty water bottles before entering security.
• Place electronics where they’re easy to remove if required.
• Wear shoes that are easy to remove if you don’t have TSA PreCheck.
• Allow extra time when traveling with young children.

Terminal 1 typically handles more passengers than Terminal 2 because it serves more airlines and concourses. However, wait times at either terminal can vary significantly depending on the time of day, flight schedules, staffing levels, and seasonal travel demand. Checking the live wait times before heading to the airport is the best way to choose the quickest checkpoint.

Families traveling during school holidays should arrive earlier than usual due to increased passenger volumes.