How early should I get to OGG?
Kahului Airport, Kahului, Maui, HI · Checked Oct 26, 2026
The short answer
OGG does not set an arrival time. It says to check with your airline, since each airline has different check-in requirements, and to allow extra time if you need to park or return a rental car.
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: airports.hawaii.gov
Security lines at OGG
OGG does not publish typical wait times or busiest hours. In TSA's hourly screening counts for Sep 13-19, 2026, OGG was busiest from 9am to noon, peaking 10-11am. There was a second peak from 5 to 8pm (highest 6-7pm), and a smaller rush at the 5am opening. Traffic was light after 9pm and in the mid-afternoon. Friday, Saturday and Thursday were the busiest days that week; Monday to Wednesday were the quietest.
Busiest times: 9:00am-12:00pm (peak 10:00-11:00am), 5:00-8:00pm (peak 6:00-7:00pm), 5:00-6:00am, Fridays, Saturdays and Thursdays (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: TSA PreCheck is screened at Checkpoint 1, beside the ticketing lobby, since April 28, 2024. HDOT moved it there because PreCheck enrollment was growing.
CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).
Terminals and checkpoints
Main Terminal
Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada (seasonal), WestJet
- Flights to the US mainland: the USDA inspects all checked bags before the flight at stations in front of or at the airline check-in counters, so be ready to open them. Carry-on items are inspected at the security checkpoints. Declare all agricultural items.
- Most fresh fruits and vegetables, plants in soil, soil, live insects and snails, and cotton are prohibited going to the mainland. Fresh pineapple, coconut, roasted or green coffee beans and commercially canned foods are allowed after inspection. Fresh flowers and leis are allowed except jade vine and Mauna Loa.
- Ticketing, USDA agricultural inspection and baggage claim are on the ground level
- Inter-island flights use Gates 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19 and 21; overseas flights use Gates 1, 5, 7, 23, 27, 29, 33, 35 and 39 (Wikipedia)
- Alaska's Kahului-Honolulu 737 flights check in at Alaska's counters, next to Hawaiian's
Between terminals: Single terminal. HDOT lists one set of TSA checkpoint hours, and all OGG screening in TSA's hourly counts goes through one checkpoint. Gates 1-16 are in the south area and Gates 17-39 in the north area.
Getting to OGG
Rideshare and taxi: OGG does not publish current rideshare drop-off rules. Many airlines offer curbside check-in; confirm with yours. Drivers picking up can wait free for up to one hour in the cell phone waiting lot. Rental cars are returned at the consolidated rental car facility, linked to the terminal by a free electric tram about half a mile long, with two stops at the terminal (HDOT, 2019).
Transit: HDOT lists Maui Bus Route 40 (Upcountry Islander) and Route 35 (Haiku Islander) at the airport, each every 90 minutes, seven days a week, from marked stops in front of the terminal. You may bring one medium suitcase, duffle or carry-on no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches, and it must fit under your seat or on your lap.
Driving and parking: Public parking is in the main public lot, which has EV charging. Rates (effective Feb 1, 2024): first 15 minutes free, then rising in steps to a maximum of $24 per 24 hours. Cash and major credit cards are accepted. There is no public monthly parking. Allow extra time if you are parking, as OGG advises.
Construction and changes in 2026
- South TSA Checkpoint: a $46 million, two-story checkpoint building at the south end of the ticket lobby with up to six screening lanes and a pedestrian bridge to the expanded waiting area. HDOT expected completion in December 2026; the state modernization program lists project acceptance for May 1, 2027. The existing main checkpoint stays open and is being enclosed and air-conditioned.
- Barricades are in Holdroom A of Gate 5 for the new checkpoint's tie-in to the existing holdroom
Checking a bag
Hawaiian and Alaska Neighbor Island flights: check in online or in the app and drop checked bags at least 50 minutes before departure (since Oct 3, 2026). Delta: bags 45 minutes before domestic departure, 30 minutes without bags; Delta lists no OGG exception. Southwest: check bags at least 45 minutes before a domestic flight; check in at least 30 minutes before. American and United: check in and check bags 45 minutes before domestic departure (AP, May 2025). Allow time for the USDA inspection of checked bags on mainland flights.
OGG tips first-timers miss
- Flying to the mainland? USDA inspects checked bags at the check-in counters and carry-ons at security. Leave fresh fruit and plants behind or declare them.
- Hawaiian and Alaska inter-island flights now need bags dropped 50 minutes before departure, up from 30
- Returning a rental car? Leave time for the tram from the rental car facility, and allow extra time as OGG advises
- Security opens at 5am. In TSA's September 2026 counts, 10-11am and 6-7pm were the busiest hours.
- A new south checkpoint is under construction; the main checkpoint stays open during the work
Leaving for OGG?
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 Kahului Airport (OGG)?
OGG says to check with your airline and to allow extra time if you are parking or returning a rental car. Hawaiian and Alaska inter-island flights need bags dropped 50 minutes before departure. Mainland flights also need time for the USDA inspection of checked bags.
Is there an agricultural inspection when flying from Maui to the mainland?
Yes. The USDA inspects all checked bags at or near the airline counters and carry-ons at security. Most fresh fruits and vegetables are not allowed; fresh pineapple, coconut and coffee beans are allowed after inspection.
What time does security open at Kahului Airport?
HDOT lists the TSA checkpoint hours as 5:00am to 11:30pm daily.
Does Kahului Airport have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
Yes. PreCheck is at Checkpoint 1, beside the ticketing lobby. CLEAR is at the main checkpoint; CLEAR's site lists CLEAR+ hours of 6am-9pm.
Sources
- OGG - TSA Checkpoint Hours (checkpoint and CLEAR hours)
- OGG - Ticketing & Check-In
- OGG - Frequently Asked Questions
- OGG - Agriculture Inspection
- OGG - Parking (rates effective Feb 1, 2024)
- OGG - Maui Bus
- OGG - Ground Transportation
- HDOT - Checkpoint adjustments, new kiosks at Kahului Airport (Apr 26, 2024)
- HDOT - Construction begins on new TSA checkpoint at Kahului Airport (May 29, 2025)
- Hawaii Airports Modernization - South TSA Checkpoint, OGG
- Hawaii Airports Modernization - Projects
- HDOT - New Kahului Airport rent-a-car center (tram) (May 2019)
- USDA APHIS - Information for Travelers From Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland, Alaska, or Guam
- Maui Now - Groundbreaking for $46M Kahului Airport south TSA checkpoint (May 29, 2025)
- CLEAR - Kahului Airport CLEAR locations and hours
- Alaska Airlines News - Honolulu-Kahului 737 flights, new check-in times, Honolulu lobby changes (2026)
- Wikipedia - Kahului Airport
- TSA throughput data, September 13-19, 2026
- 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.