How early should I get to SAT?
San Antonio International Airport, San Antonio, TX · Checked Oct 25, 2026
The short answer
SAT says its airlines recommend arriving 90 minutes before your scheduled departure for domestic travel, and 2 hours before during peak travel times
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: flysanantonio.com
Security lines at SAT
SAT does not publish wait times or busiest hours. MyTSA data for mid-June to mid-August 2026 put SAT's average wait at 3.7 minutes, the shortest of the 50 busiest US airports.
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: Both checkpoints have PreCheck lanes. SAT lists PreCheck hours as 3:30am-6pm at Terminal A and 3:30am-5pm at Terminal B, so evening flyers may have only standard lanes. Checkpoints themselves open at 3:30am.
CLEAR: Available at this airport (see terminals below for which checkpoints).
Touchless ID: A March 2026 airport list shows TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at SAT for Alaska and American. You opt in through your airline profile.
Terminals and checkpoints
Terminal A
Southwest, Delta, Alaska, Frontier, Breeze, Sun Country, United (some flights), Air Canada, Aeromexico, Viva, Volaris
- SAT's airline list shows United at both Terminal A and Terminal B; check your boarding pass
- All international carriers use Terminal A, which has the customs facility
- Rideshare pickup is on the outer commercial curb on the lower level of Terminal A
Terminal B
American, United
- Terminal C construction has closed two of the four curb lanes at the far end of Terminal B, on both levels, plus some doors into Terminal B
- The VIA Route 5 bus stop is at the far west end of Terminal B on the lower level
Between terminals: Terminals A and B are in one building, and you can walk between them on the ticketing and arrivals levels before security. They are not connected after security, so changing terminals means leaving the secure area and screening again.
Terminals are not connected after security. Go to the right terminal the first time.
Getting to SAT
Rideshare and taxi: Rideshare drop-off is at the departures curb. Pickup is on the outer commercial curb, lower level of Terminal A. SAT says construction has shifted rideshare, hotel shuttle and off-site parking shuttle pickup spots slightly; they remain outside baggage claim on the lower level.
Transit: VIA Route 5 runs daily between the airport and downtown in about 30 minutes for $1.30. It stops on the lower (arrivals) roadway at the far west end of Terminal B. VIA Route 7 Stone Oak Express runs weekdays from the Stone Oak Park & Ride every 30 minutes (5:45am-7pm), about 15-20 minutes nonstop, for $2.60.
Driving and parking: New parking rates start Nov 1, 2026: Economy $10/day, Long Term $20/day, Short Term $30/day. Economy lots are about half a mile away with a courtesy shuttle. During construction SAT suggests using the Short-Term Garage's 3-hour spaces ($5 the first hour, $4 each extra hour) for drop-off. Use the free 24/7 Cell Phone Waiting Lot (with Wi-Fi) instead of waiting at the curb.
Construction and changes in 2026
- Phase I of Terminal C curbside construction runs March 23 through December 2026. Two of the four lanes at the far end of Terminal B are closed on both the upper and lower levels, and some doors into Terminal B are closed. Departures stay open with limited access.
- Phase II is expected to start near the end of 2026. It will move lane changes further along Terminal Drive, in front of Terminal B. Phase III will mainly affect Terminal A. No dates have been set.
- Terminal C, with up to 17 gates and a central screening area for all terminals, is scheduled to open in 2028
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 (United: 60 minutes for international). Delta: check bags at least 45 minutes before domestic departure, no more than 6 hours ahead.
SAT tips first-timers miss
- Go to the right terminal. Southwest, Delta and the international airlines use Terminal A; American uses Terminal B; United uses both.
- Terminals are not connected after security, so clear security at the terminal your gate is in
- PreCheck lanes close early: 6pm at Terminal A and 5pm at Terminal B, per SAT
- Expect reduced curb space at Terminal B during construction. SAT suggests arriving early and using the Short-Term Garage for drop-off.
- Parking rates go up on Nov 1, 2026. Short Term will be $30 a day and Economy $10 a day.
Leaving for SAT?
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 San Antonio airport?
SAT says its airlines recommend 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 2 hours during peak travel times. Allow extra time at Terminal B while curb lanes are closed for construction.
Are Terminals A and B at SAT connected after security?
No. You can walk between them before security, but each terminal has its own checkpoint. Changing terminals means screening again.
Which terminal is my airline in at San Antonio?
Southwest, Delta, Alaska, Frontier, Breeze, Sun Country and the international carriers use Terminal A. American uses Terminal B. United uses both, so check your boarding pass.
Does San Antonio airport have TSA PreCheck and CLEAR?
Yes, at both checkpoints. SAT lists PreCheck hours as 3:30am-6pm (Terminal A) and 3:30am-5pm (Terminal B). CLEAR+ lanes open at 4am and close between 4:30pm and 7pm, depending on terminal and day.
Sources
- SAT - Security Checkpoints & Wait Time
- SAT - Airlines
- SAT - Construction
- SAT - Rideshare
- SAT - Public Transportation
- City of San Antonio - Airport to begin terminal curbside lane closures (Mar 19, 2026)
- Texas Public Radio - SAT to start closing pickup and drop-off lanes for Terminal C (Mar 19, 2026)
- San Antonio Report - Parking at SAT getting more expensive (Aug 28, 2026)
- CLEAR - San Antonio International Airport
- Upgraded Points - SAT airport guide (updated May 14, 2026)
- Layover Index - SAT hub guide (reviewed Apr 27, 2026)
- Wikipedia - San Antonio 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.