How early should I get to IND?
Indianapolis International Airport, Indianapolis, IN · Checked Oct 25, 2026
The short answer
IND recommends arriving two hours before your flight departure time for domestic travel
IND recommends arriving three 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: ind.com
Security lines at IND
IND says about one-third of its passengers leave before 9am. On peak fall-break days in October 2026, it said most travelers flew out between 4am and 6am. MyTSA data for mid-June to mid-August 2026 put IND's average wait at 8.4 minutes, below the 9.9-minute average for the 50 busiest US airports.
Busiest times: 4:00-6:00am on peak travel days, Before 9:00am (about one-third of departures).
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: PreCheck lanes are only at Checkpoint A. Upgraded Points lists them as open 4am-7pm, so very early and evening flyers may have only standard lanes. Both checkpoints lead to all gates.
CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).
Touchless ID: A March 2026 airport list shows TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at IND for Delta. You opt in through your airline profile.
Terminals and checkpoints
Main Terminal (Concourses A and B)
Southwest, American, Allegiant, Delta, United, Alaska, Frontier, Avelo, Sun Country, Air Canada, Aer Lingus, JetBlue
- All Concourse A and B gates can be reached from either checkpoint by the Concourse Connector after screening
- Wikipedia lists Concourse A for Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Alaska, Avelo, Delta, Frontier, Sun Country and United, and Concourse B for Allegiant, American and Southwest
- JetBlue starts daily nonstops to Fort Lauderdale on Nov 2, 2026; IND has not said which concourse it will use
- You can enroll in CLEAR at kiosks in the Ticketing Hall across from the Guest Services desk
Between terminals: Single terminal with two concourses. After either checkpoint, the Concourse Connector links Concourses A and B, so you can reach any gate without screening again.
Terminals are connected after security, so you can walk between them without re-screening.
Getting to IND
Rideshare and taxi: Drop-off is at the curb on the departures level. Vehicles may stop only while loading or unloading, and unattended vehicles are towed. Uber and Lyft pickup is at the Ground Transportation Center on the first floor of the Terminal Garage.
Transit: IndyGo Route 8 (Washington Street) runs between the airport and downtown Indianapolis, about every 30 minutes
Driving and parking: Terminal Garage daily parking is $23/day, hourly parking (Level 3) is $2 per half hour, and valet (Level 3) is $32/day. In the Long Term Lot, Park & Walk is $14/day and Economy is $9/day, with shuttles 24/7 every 5-7 minutes. IND does not take parking reservations, and garage levels can fill, so check availability on ind.com before you leave. Drivers picking up can wait free in the Cell Phone Lot.
Checking a bag
Southwest: bags checked less than 45 minutes before a domestic departure may not be accepted (60 minutes for international); bags are accepted no earlier than 4 hours ahead. American and United: check-in and bag deadline is 45 minutes before domestic departure. Delta: check bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure, no more than 6 hours ahead.
IND tips first-timers miss
- PreCheck members should go to Checkpoint A. Checkpoint B has no PreCheck lanes.
- Either checkpoint gets you to every gate through the Concourse Connector, so pick the shorter line if you are not in PreCheck
- Early mornings are the busiest. About one-third of IND passengers depart before 9am.
- Checkpoint A opens at 3:30am and Checkpoint B at 3:45am
- IND does not take parking reservations and garage levels can fill. Check live availability online and allow time for the Economy Lot shuttle.
Leaving for IND?
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 Indianapolis airport?
IND recommends two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Early mornings are the busiest time.
Which checkpoint has TSA PreCheck at IND?
Checkpoint A. Checkpoint B has standard and CLEAR lanes only. Both checkpoints lead to all gates.
Are Concourses A and B connected after security at IND?
Yes. The Concourse Connector links them after either checkpoint, so you never need to screen twice.
Where do I get an Uber or Lyft at Indianapolis airport?
Pickup is at the Ground Transportation Center on the first floor of the Terminal Garage. Drop-off is at the departures-level curb.
Sources
- IND - Security
- IND - Passenger Drop-Off
- IND - Passenger Pick-Up
- IND - Transportation & Car Rental
- IND - Parking
- IND - Fall Break Air Travel 2026: Looking Ahead (Oct 1, 2026)
- IND - Indy Airport hotel tops out (May 14, 2026)
- IND - Indy Airport welcomes JetBlue (May 4, 2026)
- Upgraded Points - IND airport guide (updated May 14, 2026)
- Wikipedia - Indianapolis International Airport
- Travel Bulletin - TSA wait times at 50 US airports (updated Aug 27, 2026)
- The Bulkhead Seat - TSA PreCheck Touchless ID airport list (Mar 16, 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)
Airport conditions change. Always follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines.