How early should I get to BWI?
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Baltimore, MD · Checked Oct 24, 2026
The short answer
BWI's security page says TSA currently recommends arriving 2 hours before scheduled domestic flights
BWI's security page says TSA recommends arriving 3 hours before international flights
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: bwiairport.com
Security lines at BWI
BWI publishes daily peak periods. Mornings peak at 5-8am on Monday, Thursday and Friday, and 6-8am on other days. Afternoon peaks vary by day, with the longest on Thursday (3-7pm) and Sunday (4-7pm). In March 2026, local news reported that A/B/C (Southwest and American) had the longest lines, while D/E saw normal to no waits. Real-time waits are on BWI's homepage.
Busiest times: 5:00-8:00am Monday, Thursday and Friday, 6:00-8:00am Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 3:00-7:00pm Thursday, 4:00-7:00pm Sunday, 3:00-6:00pm Monday.
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: Upgraded Points (May 2026) lists regular PreCheck lanes at Checkpoint B (4am-9pm) and Checkpoint D/E (4am-8pm). It says Checkpoints A and C open PreCheck only when operationally needed. BWI does not publish PreCheck hours by checkpoint, so confirm before a late flight.
CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).
Touchless ID: A March 2026 list of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID airports shows BWI for American only. You opt in through your airline profile.
Terminals and checkpoints
Concourses A, B and C (Main Terminal)
Southwest, American, Contour
- Southwest flies from Concourses A, B and C (and E for some flights); American and Contour use Concourse C
- Concourses A, B and C share one secure area, so any of Checkpoints A, B or C reaches all three
- A new A/B Connector opened January 9, 2026, adding a direct link between Concourses A and B
- Upgraded Points says Checkpoints A, B or C may be closed when passenger volumes are low
Concourses D and E (Main Terminal)
Alaska, Avelo, BermudAir, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country, United, Breeze, British Airways, Copa Airlines, Icelandair, Southwest (some flights, Concourse E)
- BWI lists Alaska, Avelo, BermudAir, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Sun Country and United at Concourse D
- Breeze, British Airways, Copa, Icelandair and some Southwest flights use Concourse E (the international concourse)
- D/E has its own checkpoint, separate from A/B/C
Between terminals: All concourses are in one terminal building. Concourses A, B and C connect airside, and D and E connect to each other. But D/E is not linked airside to A/B/C, so moving between the two groups means walking through the terminal and clearing security again.
Terminals are not connected after security. Go to the right terminal the first time.
Getting to BWI
Rideshare and taxi: Rideshare pickup and drop-off is on the outer curb of the Departures/Upper Level, between Doors 5 and 12.
Transit: MTA Light Rail stops just outside the lower level next to Concourse E. It runs to downtown Baltimore, Timonium and Hunt Valley for $2.00 each way. First trains arrive at 4:45am on weekdays and 5:05am on Saturdays, but not until 10:35am on Sundays and holidays. MARC and Amtrak use the BWI rail station; a free 24-hour shuttle drops you near your airline's check-in counter.
Driving and parking: BWI listed these rates: Hourly Garage (closest) $6/hour or $30/day; Daily Garage $16/day; Express Parking $14/day; Long Term A and B $11/day. Lots can fill and close, and drivers are then sent to other lots. A free cell phone lot is available for pickups.
Construction and changes in 2026
- The Concourse A/B Connector and new Southwest baggage system opened January 9, 2026, with a direct A-B link and relocated gate areas
- BWI's construction page lists ongoing passenger boarding bridge replacement and restroom renovations, without dates or passenger impacts
Checking a bag
Southwest: bags checked less than 45 minutes before a domestic departure may not be accepted; international bags must be checked at the counter at least 60 minutes ahead. Southwest accepts bags no earlier than 4 hours before departure. Delta: check bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure, and no more than 6 hours ahead. American: check-in and bag deadline is 45 minutes before domestic departure.
BWI tips first-timers miss
- Check your concourse before you go. D/E (Delta, United, JetBlue, Frontier, most international flights) has its own checkpoint and is not connected airside to A/B/C.
- Southwest carries most of BWI's traffic and uses A, B and C. Those checkpoints have had the longest lines at busy times.
- If you have PreCheck and fly from A/B/C, head to Checkpoint B. Checkpoints A and C may not have PreCheck lanes open.
- The Light Rail does not start until about 10:35am on Sundays and holidays. Plan another way for early Sunday flights.
- Rideshare drop-off is on the upper level outer curb between Doors 5 and 12.
Leaving for BWI?
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 BWI airport?
BWI passes on TSA's advice: 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Allow more time if you fly Southwest or American from Concourses A-C at morning peaks (5-8am).
Can I walk from Concourse D to Concourse A after security at BWI?
No. Concourses A, B and C share one secure area, and D and E share another. To switch between them you must walk through the terminal and clear security again.
Which concourse is Southwest at BWI?
BWI lists Southwest at Concourses A, B, C and E. Most domestic Southwest flights leave from A, B or C, and E handles international flights.
Is BWI security open 24 hours?
BWI lists Checkpoints B and D/E as open 24 hours, with A and C open 4am to 8pm. A May 2026 third-party guide lists shorter hours for B and D/E, and BWI says hours can change. Late-night flyers should check bwiairport.com.
Sources
- BWI - Security (checkpoint hours, peak periods, arrival advice)
- BWI - Airlines (concourse by airline)
- BWI - To & From BWI (parking rates and options)
- BWI - App-Based Ride Services
- BWI - MTA Light Rail
- BWI - MTA MARC Train
- BWI - Construction Information (Enhancing Maryland's Gateway)
- Office of Governor Moore - A/B Connector opens at BWI (Jan 8, 2026)
- The Baltimore Banner - BWI TSA lines (Mar 30, 2026)
- Upgraded Points - BWI airport guide (updated May 26, 2026)
- Southwest - How long before departure can I check bags
- 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.