How early should I get to BNA?
Nashville International Airport, Nashville, TN · Checked Oct 24, 2026
The short answer
BNA's fall break tips say to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and to leave time for parking (WSMV, Sept 30, 2026). Southwest also suggests 120 minutes at BNA.
BNA's fall break tips say to arrive 3 hours before international flights (WSMV, Sept 30, 2026)
Those are blanket rules. Your real number depends on your terminal, the time of day, traffic from your door, and whether you have PreCheck or a bag. Leave By works out your exact leave time.
Source: wsmv.com
Security lines at BNA
BNA does not publish an hourly wait pattern that this research could find. Fall break is its busiest period: it set a one-day record of 116,047 passengers on Oct 5, 2025. For fall break 2025, BNA named Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays as high-volume days, and TSA added staff Thursday through Monday. BNA also warned of longer parking, check-in and security waits on Monday, Sept 21, 2026.
Busiest times: Fall break (early to mid October), Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays at busy times (BNA fall break 2025 plan).
Nationally, TSA checkpoints are busiest from 5 to 7 AM local time. See TSA's hourly numbers and the busiest days to fly.
TSA PreCheck: The central checkpoint has dedicated PreCheck lanes. Upgraded Points says to check TSA for PreCheck hours because they vary. This research could not confirm PreCheck closing times.
Touchless ID: Southwest's BNA page lists a TSA PreCheck Touchless ID checkpoint (opt in through your airline profile). A March 2026 list showed BNA as being added by late spring.
Terminals and checkpoints
Main Terminal (Grand Lobby)
Southwest, American, Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier, JetBlue, Allegiant, Avelo, Sun Country, Contour, Air Canada, Porter, WestJet, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Icelandair, Viva Aerobus
- Concourse B (gates B1, B3-B11): Delta and United, per Upgraded Points (Sept 2026)
- Concourse C (C1-C3, C13-C27): American and Southwest. Gates C4-C11 are a satellite reached by shuttle bus from near gate C2; Upgraded Points lists Air Canada, Allegiant, Avelo, Contour, JetBlue, Porter and Sun Country there
- Concourse D (D1-D11): Southwest. Southwest lists its BNA gates as C4, C7, C9, C16, C18-C22, C25 and D1-D6
- T Gates, just past security: Alaska, Frontier and international carriers including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Icelandair, WestJet and Viva Aerobus. All international arrivals use Concourse T
- Concourse A is closed and being rebuilt; the new 16-gate Concourse A is due in July 2028
- If you park in a terminal garage, you enter the terminal on Level 1. The Level 5 pedestrian bridge is closed during construction
Between terminals: Single terminal. After security you can walk between Concourses B, C, D and T. Gates C4-C11 are a satellite reached by shuttle bus from near gate C2.
Terminals are connected after security, so you can walk between them without re-screening.
Getting to BNA
Rideshare and taxi: Drop-off is at the Level 3 departures curb in front of the terminal. Uber and Lyft pickup is at the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2. A local guide (Oct 2026) says Lyft uses Zone A and Uber Zones B and C.
Transit: WeGo Route 18 Airport runs to WeGo Central downtown from the Ground Transportation Center (Level 1, Terminal Garage 2). Express trips take about 20 minutes and local trips 35-45 minutes. Since July 5, 2026, it runs every 30 minutes from 6am to 6pm, seven days a week, and every 40 minutes in the evening. Fare is $2.
Driving and parking: Construction is underway, so BNA suggests learning the alternate route from Murfreesboro Pike and I-40 Exit 216B. Terminal Lot A closed July 1, 2026. Terminal Garages 1 and 2, Economy Lots B and C, and valet remain; economy shuttles leave from Level 2 arrivals about every 10 minutes. Since Sept 23, 2026, Garage 1 has no exit: drive through to Garage 2, take the helix down to Level P2 and pay there. The free cell lot is at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike.
Construction and changes in 2026
- Central Core Enhancement: the main escalator and elevator hub closed June 1, 2026, for an 18-month, $40 million rebuild expected to run through December 2027
- The Level 5 pedestrian bridge from the garages is closed, so garage parkers enter the terminal on Level 1
- Concourse A is closed for demolition and rebuilding; the new 16-gate concourse is expected in July 2028
- Terminal Lot A closed July 1, 2026, for a new rental car facility and parking garage
- The Terminal Garage 1 exit closed Sept 23, 2026; drivers exit through Terminal Garage 2. BNA says more roadway changes are expected this fall
Checking a bag
Southwest: check bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure (60 minutes for international) and check in at least 30 minutes before domestic departure. Be at the gate 10 minutes before departure. Its BNA ticket counter opens 90 minutes before the first departing flight. American, United and Delta: check bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure. Alaska: check in at least 50 minutes before domestic departure.
BNA tips first-timers miss
- There is one central checkpoint, on Level 3 in the Grand Lobby, and it serves all concourses
- Parking in a garage? Allow extra walking time. You enter the terminal on Level 1 because the Level 5 bridge is closed until the Central Core work ends (expected December 2027)
- Lot A is closed. Use the terminal garages, Economy Lots B and C, or valet. Leaving Garage 1, follow signs to Garage 2 to exit
- If traffic backs up on the usual route, BNA suggests the Murfreesboro Pike and I-40 Exit 216B approach
- Southwest's BNA ticket counter opens 90 minutes before the first flight of the day, so very early flyers should check in online
- Gates C4-C11 are on a satellite reached by shuttle bus from near gate C2, so leave extra time if your flight leaves from one of them
Leaving for BNA?
Pick your flight and where you're starting. Leave By checks live traffic, security lines and your terminal, and tells you the minute to walk out the door.
Free. No account.
Questions travelers ask
How early should I get to Nashville airport?
BNA says to arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Leave extra time for parking and construction detours.
How many security checkpoints does BNA have?
One. The central checkpoint on Level 3 in the Grand Lobby has 24 lanes and serves all concourses. It opens at 3:30am, and it has PreCheck lanes.
Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at Nashville airport?
At the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2. Drop-off is at the Level 3 departures curb.
Is Lot A still open at BNA?
No. Terminal Lot A closed July 1, 2026, to make room for a new garage and rental car facility. The terminal garages, Economy Lots B and C, and valet are still open.
Can I take a bus from BNA to downtown Nashville?
Yes. WeGo Route 18 Airport leaves from Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2 and costs $2. Express trips take about 20 minutes. Buses run every 30 minutes from 6am to 6pm.
Sources
- WSMV - Nashville airport shares tips ahead of busy fall break travel season (Sept 30, 2026)
- WSMV - Nashville airport changing Terminal Garage 1 exit route (Sept 18, 2026)
- WSMV - Nashville airport warning travelers of high passenger volume Monday (Sept 21, 2026)
- WSMV - Nashville airport reports record nearly 27M passengers as construction intensifies (Aug 5, 2026)
- WSMV - A large parking lot at BNA is closing (June 30, 2026)
- WKRN - BNA begins major terminal construction project (June 2026)
- Future Travel Experience - BNA launches Central Core Enhancement (April 2026)
- WSMV - BNA prepares for one of its busiest travel periods (Oct 1, 2025)
- WSMV - BNA opens new lobby, security lanes (Jan 24, 2023)
- Upgraded Points - Nashville International Airport guide (updated Sept 7, 2026)
- Nashville Unscripted - BNA construction 2026: Central Core closure (updated Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia - Nashville International Airport
- WeGo Public Transit - Airport service (Route 18)
- WeGo Public Transit - Summer 2026 service changes go into effect July 5
- Southwest Airlines - Airport Information (BNA)
- Southwest Airlines - When to Arrive for Your Flight
- Delta - Check-In Times at U.S. Airports
- AP via MyNorthwest - United narrows check-in window; airline comparison (May 2025)
- The Bulkhead Seat - TSA PreCheck Touchless ID airport list (Mar 16, 2026)
Airport conditions change. Always follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.