How early should I get to CMH?
John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Columbus, OH · Checked Oct 26, 2026
The short answer
CMH says to arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight, and to allow extra time to arrive and park because of airport construction
CMH says to arrive 2 hours before an international flight
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: flycolumbus.com
Security lines at CMH
CMH shows live average wait times on its security page. It does not publish typical peak times. In TSA's hourly screening counts for Sep 13-19, 2026, CMH was busiest from 4am to 7am, peaking 5-6am. There were smaller rises around noon-1pm and 2-4pm, and traffic was light after 7pm. Thursday, Friday, Sunday and Monday were the busiest days that week; Tuesday and Saturday were the quietest.
Busiest times: 4:00-7:00am (peak 5:00-6:00am), 12:00-1:00pm, 2:00-4:00pm, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Mondays (TSA counts, week of Sep 13, 2026).
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' CMH guide (updated Sep 2026) says TSA PreCheck is at all three checkpoints and CLEAR is near all three. CMH's security page does not list PreCheck lanes by checkpoint. Since Sep 8, 2026, CMH has taken part in GateSide by TSA PreCheck, which lets approved visitors with PreCheck or a Known Traveler Number go through the PreCheck lane to accompany a traveler. Apply online with TSA 1 to 3 days ahead.
CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).
Touchless ID: The Points Guy's table of TSA PreCheck Touchless ID airports (May 2026, based on TSA.gov) lists CMH for American, Delta, United, Southwest and Alaska. CMH's own site does not say which checkpoints have the lane. To use it, add your Known Traveler Number and passport details to your airline profile and opt in; a Touchless ID indicator then shows on your boarding pass. Carry your physical ID.
Terminals and checkpoints
Concourse A
Southwest Airlines
- Southwest lists its CMH gates as A2-A6
- Southwest's CMH ticket counter opens 90 minutes before the first departing flight
Concourse B
American Airlines, United Airlines
- The Escape Lounge is in Concourse B
Concourse C
Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Sun Country Airlines
- Allegiant does not fly from CMH. CMH says Allegiant passengers should go to Rickenbacker Airport (LCK).
Between terminals: CMH has one terminal with three concourses (A, B and C). Each concourse has its own security checkpoint, and the concourses are not connected after security. You can only use the shops and restaurants in your own concourse. To change concourses you must leave and go through security again.
Terminals are not connected after security. Go to the right terminal the first time.
Getting to CMH
Rideshare and taxi: Drop-off is at the curb on the Departures level. Curbside parking is not allowed, and drivers must stay with their cars; unattended cars are ticketed or towed. Uber and Lyft pick up in the ground transportation area: cross the Arrivals drive from Baggage Claim. Taxis are on the ground transportation level. Drivers can wait in the free cell phone waiting lot between the control tower and the terminal, or use the Green Lot, which has a one-hour grace period.
Transit: COTA Line 7 (Mt. Vernon) serves the airport from downtown Columbus; on the timetable effective May 4, 2026, every other trip runs to the airport and the rest go to Easton. The fare is $2, capped at $4.50 a day with digital payment.
Driving and parking: The garage at 4600 International Gateway connects to the terminal. Short-term parking (Level 4): $7 first hour, $30 per 24 hours. Long-term parking (Levels 1-6): $7 first hour, $24 per 24 hours. Red Lot: $11 per 24 hours. Green Lot: $9 per 24 hours, first hour free. Shuttles from the Red and Green lots run 24 hours a day, every 15-18 minutes. Valet at the curbside ticketing area: $18 first hour, $30 per 24 hours. The Walking Lot closed on May 4, 2026.
Construction and changes in 2026
- CMH Next, a new terminal, is under construction and due to open in early 2029. The current terminal stays open until then.
- The Walking Lot closed to new parkers on May 4, 2026, to make room for a public safety building. CMH points former Walking Lot users to valet, the garage, or the Red and Green shuttle lots.
- Roadways are shifting as work goes on. A new permanent eastbound International Gateway roadway opened in September 2026. CMH says to check current roadway advisories and to allow extra time to arrive and park.
- The new terminal's arrivals and departures roadways are built but not yet in use (Sep 2026). The lower arrivals roadway will open first.
Checking a bag
Southwest: check bags at least 45 minutes before a domestic flight (60 minutes for international), check in at least 30 minutes before a domestic flight, and be at the gate 10 minutes before departure. Delta: bags 45 minutes before domestic departure, 30 minutes without bags; Delta lists no CMH exception. American and United: check in and check bags 45 minutes before domestic departure. Alaska: 50 minutes for domestic flights, with or without bags (AP, May 2025).
CMH tips first-timers miss
- Go to the right concourse. Southwest uses A; American and United use B; Delta, Air Canada, Alaska, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Lufthansa and Sun Country use C. The concourses are not connected after security.
- All three checkpoints are listed as open 4:00am-8:30pm. CMH says the latest TSA stays open for a delayed flight is 10pm, so clear security before your checkpoint closes.
- Early morning is the busiest time. In TSA's September 2026 counts, 4-7am was the peak, especially 5-6am.
- Allow extra time to park. The Walking Lot is closed and roads around the terminal are shifting for CMH Next. The cheapest lots (Green and Red) use shuttles that run every 15-18 minutes.
- Flying Allegiant? Go to Rickenbacker Airport (LCK), not CMH.
Leaving for CMH?
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 Columbus airport (CMH)?
CMH says to arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 2 hours before an international flight, and to allow extra time to park because of construction. Early mornings, especially 5-6am, are the busiest time at security.
Which concourse is my airline at CMH?
Southwest is in Concourse A. American and United are in Concourse B. Delta, Air Canada, Alaska, Breeze, Frontier, JetBlue, Lufthansa and Sun Country are in Concourse C.
Are CMH's concourses connected after security?
No. Each concourse has its own checkpoint, and you cannot walk between concourses after security. Use the checkpoint for your airline's concourse.
What time does security open at CMH?
CMH lists all three checkpoints as open from 4:00am to 8:30pm. If a flight is delayed, TSA stays open no later than 10pm.
Is the new CMH terminal open yet?
No. The new terminal is due to open in early 2029. Until then all flights use the current terminal, but construction affects roads and parking, so allow extra time.
Sources
- CMH - Security (checkpoint hours, arrival advice, wait times)
- CMH - Prepare for your flight (arrival advice, concourses, construction note)
- CMH - Airlines (concourse by airline)
- CMH - Parking options (rates, shuttles, Walking Lot closure)
- CMH - Picking up and dropping off (curb rules, cell phone lots)
- CMH - Taxis, shuttles and rideshare
- CMH - Walking Lot closes as terminal construction continues (Apr 13, 2026)
- CMH - GateSide by TSA PreCheck launches at CMH (Sep 8, 2026)
- CMH Next - FAQs (separate concourses and checkpoints, opening date, roadways)
- CMH Next - Timeline (opening early 2029)
- CMH Next - New terminal project update (Sep 2, 2026)
- Construction Equipment Guide - New $2B terminal takes shape at John Glenn Airport (Oct 6, 2026)
- CLEAR - John Glenn Columbus CLEAR locations and hours
- Upgraded Points - CMH terminal guide (updated Sep 7, 2026)
- The Points Guy - Airports with TSA PreCheck Touchless ID (May 2026)
- TSA - PreCheck Touchless ID
- COTA - Line 7 Mt. Vernon timetable (effective May 4, 2026)
- Wikipedia - John Glenn Columbus International Airport
- TSA throughput data, September 13-19, 2026
- Southwest - Airport information (CMH gates and counter hours)
- Southwest - When to arrive for your flight (check-in and bag deadlines)
- Delta - Check-In Times at U.S. Airports
- AP via MyNorthwest - United narrows check-in window; airline comparison (May 27, 2025)
Airport conditions change. Always follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.