Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) security wait times may take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes, depending on the terminal, the time of day, and the season. Normally, passengers will have to spend 15 to 20 minutes going through TSA at DTW. In peak periods such as early mornings, holidays, and late afternoon, wait times may increase up to 40 minutes or more.
The following is a complete guide to DTW security wait times by terminal, the optimal time to arrive, and how the use of programs such as TSA PreCheck and CLEAR can minimize the wait times.
DTW Security Checkpoints by Terminal
There are two main terminals in DTW airport, and each terminal has its security checkpoints:
- McNamara Terminal serves as the base for Delta Air Lines and its partners. There are three security checkpoints located in the terminal — two are located in the Level 3 ticketing lobby, and another is on the bridge that connects from Level 2 parking garage. The wait times in McNamara Terminal vary from 4 to 20 minutes on an average day, but they may significantly increase when the planes depart and land.
- Evans Terminal (also called the North Terminal) accommodates Spirit, Southwest, and other airlines. It contains two security checkpoints in the ticketing lobby at Level 2. The average waiting time is somewhat higher than McNamara and can be around 6 to 30 minutes, as Evans has fewer security checkpoints compared to the number of passengers.
Another checkpoint is situated in the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport Hotel near the airport for hotel guests and transferring passengers.
Optimal and Pessimistic Security Times for DTW
There is a predictable pattern of DTW security times during a day:
- Minimum security waits: Night and early morning period, 9 PM – 3 AM with an average wait time of 10 minutes or less.
- Medium security waits: Early morning departures, 5 AM – 7 AM, because at this time the business travelers start coming.
- Maximum security waits: Late afternoon and early evening period, 1 PM – 6 PM and 7 AM – 9 AM, because of departure of several flights at once. The security waiting time may reach 30-45 minutes.
Public holidays, large sporting games held in Detroit, and harsh winter weather conditions may further increase wait times, making some travelers wait up to an hour at the checkpoint. If you plan to travel on a public holiday, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, you should consider allocating extra time for the sake of safety.
When to Arrive at DTW?
The recommended arrival time for passengers departing from Detroit airport is as follows:
- Domestic flights: Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes to 2 hours ahead of your flight time.
- International flights: Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight because there are additional check-in procedures for travelers leaving the United States via international flights through McNamara Terminal.
In case you plan to depart from DTW during peak hours (7-9 AM or 3-6 PM), or during public holidays, try to take advantage of the longer arrival time or add an extra 15-20 minutes of buffer time.
Checking Live DTW Security Wait Times
As wait times will be changing over the course of the day, it may be useful to check out current conditions before heading to the airport:
- DTW’s official site publishes real-time wait time updates for the checkpoints at both McNamara and Evans Terminal airports.
- The TSA’s own MyTSA application provides wait time estimates using historical data of the particular airport.
- Independent wait time services will use flight schedules, historical TSA staffing information, and crowd-sourced data to provide wait time estimates, which are not exact wait times.
None of these sources will give an exact wait time, so do not treat them as a fixed number, and build in some buffer when making plans.
Skipping the Line: TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at DTW
There are two programs offered at DTW which will help minimize security wait times significantly:
- TSA PreCheck program services are provided at checkpoint facilities of McNamara and North (Evans) terminals. TSA PreCheck passengers do not have to take off their shoes, belts, and light outerwear and may keep their laptops and liquids that meet the 3-1-1 guidelines in their carry-ons. Typically, the operating hours of the PreCheck lanes at McNamara Terminal are 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM. The TSA PreCheck enrollment center is also located at DTW airport, near the domestic baggage claim facility of McNamara terminal.
- CLEAR+ program uses biometric identity verification technology (iris or fingerprint scans) to enable members to gain access to the head of the regular security line more quickly. The CLEAR program at DTW airport operates at McNamara Terminal (approximately from 4:15 AM to 8:00 PM) and Evans Terminal. CLEAR service can be combined with the TSA PreCheck service to obtain the fastest security screening process.
- TSA Cares is another service available to those travelers who require additional screening assistance.
International Travelers & Customs Waiting Time at DTW Airport
International travelers coming into DTW need to pass through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection before they head off to their next connecting flights or exit the airport. The time required to go through customs depends on the terminal from which the flight is arriving:
- McNamara Terminal: Approximately 11-20 minutes.
- Evans Terminal: Approximately 20-30 minutes.
Some travelers who qualify for Global Entry or Automated Passport Control can reduce their waiting time. Additionally, some travelers may also be eligible for the U.S. Preclearance Program for International Arrivals.
Conclusion
While DTW security wait times can be a little unpredictable without some knowledge, knowing how the system works will help you understand that the security line will be quick at nighttime or any other low-traffic times, while you should plan to spend 30-45 minutes going through the security checkpoint when there is a rush period at DTW Airport. It is also important to mention that the terminal you are departing from is crucial because McNamara Terminal has more check-in points and is quicker than Evans Terminal. If you are going to visit DTW Airport and don’t want to experience problems with going through security, make sure to use our guide about DTW security lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Security wait times at DTW normally take from 5 to 45 minutes depending on the hour of the day and the terminal. Normally, people spend about 15 to 20 minutes passing through the security checkpoint. During peak hours (7-9 AM and 1-6 PM), security checks usually take from 30 to 45 minutes. Check the official DTW site or the MyTSA application to get the current wait times.
You need to arrive at DTW 2 hours before your departure for domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Such time will be enough for parking, check-in, passing security, and using the ExpressTram in case of distant gates in McNamara Terminal.
Generally, the wait times are shorter in McNamara Terminal because there are three checkpoints compared to two in Evans (North) Terminal, but the actual waiting time depends on flight schedule and hour of the day.
Yes. TSA PreCheck is offered at checkpoints in both McNamara and Evans (North) terminals. Typically, the TSA PreCheck lanes at the McNamara terminal operate between 4:30 AM and 9:30 PM. The TSA PreCheck enrollment center is situated at domestic baggage claim in McNamara Terminal.
Using both TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ will allow you to speed up your process at DTW security checks. CLEAR utilizes biometric screening to move passengers ahead of the queue, and TSA PreCheck allows skipping off shoe and laptop removals and belt screening. Off-peak hours of flying, which usually fall between 9 PM and 3 AM, will also save much time without any programs.