You’re flying out of Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and you’re not sure how much time to allow for security? The typical length of the lines at the checkpoints is approximately 20 to 25 minutes per day. However, this can rise to 50 minutes or more during periods of heavy morning traffic, during the major holiday periods, and during busy travel periods from February to April and June to August. With TSA PreCheck, the wait will be about half as long. MSP recommends arriving 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international flights, particularly during those peak times of the day.
How Long Is The Security Line at MSP?
While there is no fixed number, MSP’s own data and third-party trackers all agree there is a range that can be used for planning purposes:
- Normal security lanes: 20 – 25 minutes on a normal day
- Saturday night or Sunday morning after 9:00 pm: up to 30 minutes
TSA PreCheck lanes: typically less than 10-15 minutes
MSP is operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which provides checkpoint-by-checkpoint status on its official wait-times page, which is updated continually throughout the day. When you need a live number before you head to the airport, that page and the MyTSA app are the most reliable, as third-party estimator sites can vary from one another and sometimes use outdated or modeled data instead of live checkpoint data.
Best and Worst Time to go through security
Best Time: MSP’s quietest periods are early morning, before the first bank of flights (about 5 a.m.), and the middle of the morning to early afternoon.
Worst Times: Two checkpoints will always provide long lines:
- 5–8 a.m., because all the flights of the day leave the terminal – mostly those of Delta airline – pass security at the same time
- 4–7 p.m., because this is the time for an evening departure rush
According to travelers’ feedback, Saturday morning is considered to be the worst period during the whole week, while the periods between February-April and June-August are associated with the biggest volumes of passengers per year (this period corresponds to Spring Break and Summer Travel). If possible, choose a mid-morning or early afternoon flight to escape long queues at MSP.
Terminal 1 vs. Terminal 2: Where Are the Checkpoints?
There are two terminals at MSP airport, and your choice of one or another will greatly affect the security procedures.
Terminal 1 (Lindbergh) – provides services for gates A-G and hosts the majority of flights at MSP.
- North and South checkpoints on the ticketing level; passengers may use either.
- TSA PreCheck lanes operate 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., although times are subject to change.
- MSP RESERVE, the airport’s free security reservation service, is offered at North checkpoint only.
- The Skyway Security Checkpoint is closed permanently (an unstaffed exit exists there).
Terminal 2 (Humphrey) – serves Concourse H and is usually the smaller and quicker terminal serving carriers such as Southwest Airlines, Sun Country, and other low-cost carriers.
- Open and close times depend on first and last flights of the day and are not fixed times.
- Checkpoint 2, located near the Purple Parking Ramp, is dedicated to TSA PreCheck and MSP RESERVE appointments only.
If you have the choice between terminals and your sole purpose is to shorten wait times, Terminal 2 is usually faster due to smaller passenger numbers – although it can be reversed on days with a large Terminal 2 departure bank.
Tips on How to Reduce Your MSP Wait Time
These are a few expert recommendations on how to reduce your wait time at MSP
1. Sign up for TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck is available at MSP airport. With TSA PreCheck, you can use the special lane where you are not required to remove shoes, belt, light jacket, and to take laptops and liquids out of the bag. The wait time for members is a fraction of the usual line wait time, and the five-year membership costs just a bit less than $80 (even less upon renewal) – generally, it pays off when flying twice or more per year.
2. Combine it with CLEAR Plus. CLEAR is another private biometric identity verification system that allows you to bypass some airport lines and to use other benefits. It is not a government Trusted Traveler Program but can be used together with TSA PreCheck- CLEAR verifies your identity at a kiosk and leads directly to the TSA PreCheck screening lane.
3. Utilize MSP RESERVE. It’s a free reservation tool from MSP itself which allows travelers to reserve a particular time slot for their security check beforehand, just like the system which many other large U.S. airports have introduced. The service is available only at North Checkpoint in Terminal 1 and Checkpoint 2 in Terminal 2.
4. Check wait times for MSP in real time before leaving your house. You may either go to the official wait-times site of MSP or use the MyTSA app to check the checkpoint availability in real time, which will enable you to calculate your departure time from home or lounge much more accurately than guessing.
5. Bring a REAL ID-compliant ID. From May 7, 2025, you have to carry a REAL ID-compliant ID or any other TSA-recognized ID. Anyone arriving without such an ID as of February 1, 2026, will be able to prove their identity with TSA ConfirmID.
6. Try to avoid rush hour. When you have some time flexibility, you should try to avoid the 5–8 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. rush hours. Moreover, you should also avoid Saturday mornings and spring/summer vacation peaks.
What Time Should You Be at MSP?
MSP’s official recommendation is as follows:
- 2 hours before domestic flights
- 3 hours before international flights
As a matter of fact, this advice already takes into account the time that is required to go through security procedures, but it should still be extended – arrive earlier on peak travel days (holidays, weekends, and Saturday mornings), when you are going to check your baggage, or do not have TSA PreCheck/CLEAR at MSP.
Conclusion
While Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport can be considered as one of the relatively efficient major hubs (with average waiting times from 20 to 25 minutes being better than those of some other big airports), the waiting time can be more than twice higher on busy hours and in the busy season. Thanks to TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and MSP RESERVE, however, the passengers get control over their security check process, and visiting the website where you can see the live security wait times at MSP is the best way to find out how long you need to arrive there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, TSA PreCheck lanes are provided in Terminal 1 at the North and South checkpoints as well as at Terminal 2 Checkpoint 2, and usually operate between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Yes, CLEAR Plus is provided at MSP Airport and may be combined with TSA PreCheck, avoiding any identity verification lines.
It is a complimentary service where travelers can schedule their reserved time slot at the security checkpoint in advance and is offered at Terminal 1 North and Terminal 2 Checkpoint 2.
REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, valid passport, or other TSA-accepted IDs. As of February 1, 2026, travelers who lack acceptable ID may opt for TSA ConfirmID for $45.
Travelers should expect fewer people in Terminal 2; however, there are more security checkpoints and PreCheck availability at Terminal 1, so the actual wait time greatly depends on the departure time and airlines serving those terminals.
Slowest hours are Saturdays between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. during the peak departure time, particularly during spring break (February–April) and summer months (June-August).