How early should I get to MSP?

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, MN · Checked Oct 14, 2026

The short answer

Arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights

Arrive at least 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: mspairport.com

Security lines at MSP

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 at open Terminal 1 checkpoints. At Terminal 2, Checkpoint 2 (4:00am-5:15pm) is restricted to PreCheck, MSP RESERVE and Priority passengers. MSP RESERVE is a free reserved security time slot, bookable up to one week ahead; at Terminal 1 the RESERVE lane is at the North Checkpoint and availability is limited.

CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).

Touchless ID: TSA lists Touchless ID at 65 airports and tells travelers to check with their airline. Delta lists MSP as a participating airport with dedicated Touchless ID bag drop. A March 2026 third-party list shows Alaska, American, Delta and United participating at MSP.

Terminals and checkpoints

Terminal 1

Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, KLM, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, WestJet, Discover, Denver Air

North Checkpoint, Ticketing (Departures) levelPreCheckCLEARTo the right as you enter the ticketing lobby; MSP says it often has shorter waits. MSP RESERVE lane is here. All gates reachable.

South Checkpoint, Ticketing (Departures) levelPreCheckCLEARAll gates reachable. One of the two T1 checkpoints is open 24 hours.

Skyway Security Checkpoint (Concourse C/G connector bridge)CLEARTemporarily closed per MSP.

Security was consolidated from six checkpoints to two (north and south ends of the ticketing lobby) under a $600M program substantially completed in 2025.
Wait-time boards at both ends of the ticketing lobby show current checkpoint waits.
Drivers can drop off or pick up on either level of the Terminal 1 roadway loop; Departures is the upper level.
Terminal 1 FLEX Lane on the left side of Departures Drive serves doors 5-8 (Green/Gold ramps) with sky bridges to ticketing.
Terminal 1 light rail station is below the Red and Blue ramps, reached by tram.

Terminal 2 (Humphrey)

Sun Country, Southwest, Frontier, Icelandair

Checkpoint 1, Level 2Open 4:00am until the last scheduled departure.

Checkpoint 2, Level 2PreCheckOpen 4:00am-5:15pm; only for TSA PreCheck, MSP RESERVE and Priority passengers.

Checkpoints are on Level 2 near the Orange and Purple ramp skyways.
Terminal 2 is a separate building at 7150 Humphrey Drive; it is not connected airside to Terminal 1.
Terminal 2 light rail station is on the north side of the Orange Ramp.
Terminal 2 North Expansion ($263M, two added gates near H13/H14) is scheduled to finish in early 2027.

Between terminals: METRO Blue Line light rail; free between the two terminal stations and available 24 hours a day. A shuttle is available for passengers with mobility needs.

Terminals are not connected after security. Go to the right terminal the first time.

Getting to MSP

Rideshare and taxi: Terminal 1: rideshare pickup is at the Ground Transportation Center, Level 1 of the Green/Gold ramps. Terminal 2: rideshare pickup and drop-off moved to Level 2 of the Purple Ramp, with a sky bridge to the terminal.

Transit: METRO Blue Line light rail serves both terminals; about 25 minutes to downtown Minneapolis (Warehouse District). Trains run every 15-30 minutes, roughly 3:30am to midnight. MSP suggests the Blue Line if Hwy 5 is backed up.

Driving and parking: Terminal 1 is at 4300 Glumack Drive, Terminal 2 at 7150 Humphrey Drive. Pre-book parking online for the lowest daily rates; bookings must be made at least 12 hours before arrival. Terminal 2 Express Lane on Level 2 of the Purple Ramp is a free, covered, 24-hour drop-off alternative to the curb. Free cell phone lots are on Post Road.

Construction and changes in 2026

Terminal 2 roadway: a fifth curb lane is being added in front of Terminal 2 (work began mid-June 2026, scheduled for completion in late November 2026); at least three lanes stay open during all phases.
Rideshare at Terminal 2 relocated off the front curb to Level 2 of the Purple Ramp ahead of the roadway work.
Post Road was under construction as of July 2026 with eastbound-only traffic (away from Terminal 2 toward Hwy 5, also the route to the cell phone lot).
Concourse G expansion between gates G8 and G13 is underway, expected to finish in 2028.
Terminal 2 North Expansion is under construction, scheduled for completion in early 2027.

Checking a bag

Delta (Terminal 1): domestic bags must be checked at least 45 minutes before departure (30 minutes if no checked bags); bags are not accepted more than 6 hours before departure; be at the gate 15 minutes before departure.

MSP tips first-timers miss

MSP has two separate terminals: Delta and most legacy/foreign carriers use Terminal 1, while Sun Country, Southwest, Frontier and Icelandair use Terminal 2. Confirm before you go.
At Terminal 1, check the wait-time boards at both ends of the ticketing lobby; the North Checkpoint (right as you enter) often has shorter waits and every gate is reachable from either checkpoint.
MSP RESERVE lets you book a free security time slot up to a week ahead; at Terminal 1 the lane is at the North Checkpoint.
Terminal 2 Checkpoint 2 is PreCheck/RESERVE/Priority only and closes at 5:15pm; after that everyone uses Checkpoint 1.
Parking reservations must be made at least 12 hours before arrival, so book the night before at the latest.
Through late November 2026, Terminal 2 curb lane construction can slow traffic; the free Terminal 2 Express Lane in the Purple Ramp avoids the curb.

Leaving for MSP?

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.