Security screening times at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) change during the day. Most of the time, passengers wait around 10 to 30 minutes at the security. However, during busy hours, the wait can increase to 40-50 minutes, especially when many flights depart together. Travelers flying with airlines like Delta Airlines and United Airlines can use special services to save time. MSP offers programs such as CLEAR, MSP Reserve, and Global Entry, which help passengers move faster through security checks. These options make the airport experience smoother and more comfortable for travelers.
Minneapolis St. Paul Airport Security Wait Time Overview
The Minneapolis Airport Security Wait Time changes throughout the day based on passenger traffic and flight schedules. During late-night and early-morning hours, security lines are usually short. However, wait times increase during the morning rush hour, in the afternoon, and late in the evening, when the airport is busier. So it’s always better to plan your arrival time wisely to avoid long security lines.
| Time Slot | Estimated Waiting hours |
| 12 am to 1 am | 9 minutes |
| 1 am to 2 am | 9 minutes |
| 2 am to 3 am | 8 minutes |
| 3 am to 4 am | 12 minutes |
| 4 am to 5 am | 31 minutes |
| 5 am to 6 am | 30 minutes |
| 6 am to 7 am | 26 minutes |
| 7 am to 8 am | 31 minutres |
| 8 am to 9 am | 29 minutes |
| 9 am to 10 am | 29 minutes |
| 10 am to 11 am | 34 minutes |
| 11 am to 12 pm | 27 minutes |
| 12 pm to 1 pm | 25 minutes |
| 1 pm to 2 pm | 31 minutes |
| 2 pm to 3 pm | 26 minutes |
| 3 pm to 4 pm | 26 minutes |
| 4 pm to 5 pm | 20 minutes |
| 5 pm to 6 pm | 22 minutes |
| 6 pm to 7 pm | 14 minutes |
| 7 pm to 8 pm | 28 minutes |
| 8 pm to 9 pm | 39 minutes |
| 9 pm to 10 pm | 34 minutes |
| 10 pm to 11 pm | 43 minutes |
Remember: These wait times are estimates and may change depending on passenger volume, peak hours, holidays, and security operations.
Live MSP Security Wait Times and Checkpoint Details
Security screening times at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) vary by time of day and passenger volume. On average, travelers can expect a wait of 10 to 30 minutes at most checkpoints. During less busy periods, security lines may take only 2 to 8 minutes, while during rush hours and peak travel times, the wait can increase to 40 minutes or longer.
| Security Checkpoints | Current Waiting Times |
| Terminal 1 North Checkpoint | 5 minutes |
| Terminal 1 South Checkpoint | 10 minutes |
| Terminal 2 Checkpoint 1 | 15 minutes |
| Terminal 2 Checkpoint 2 (PreCheck and MSP Reserve) | 5 minutes |
MSP Airport TSA Wait Time Updates
The MSP TSA wait times are usually 15–25 minutes on normal days. During busy travel periods, such as holidays or peak hours, wait times can reach 40–50 minutes, especially during high passenger traffic from airlines like Southwest Airlines.
| Current Wait Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Precheck Available | Yes |
TSA PreCheck Checkpoints at MSP Airport
TSA PreCheck checkpoints at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) allow eligible passengers to move through security faster with shorter lines.
| Terminal | Checkpoint | Status |
| Terminal 1 | Main Security Checkpoint | Open |
| Terminal 2 | Central Security Checkpoint | Open |
Ways to Speed Through MSP Airport Security
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) offers programs such as TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and MSP Reserve to help travelers move through security faster and more comfortably.
TSA Precheck:
Travelers who enrolled in this program can keep their shoes on, leave laptops and liquids in their bags, and keep belts and light jackets on during screening. TSA PreCheck is available at Checkpoint 2 of Terminal 2 from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm.
| TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center Location | Hours of Operation |
| North Checkpoint (Left of Door 1) | 6:00 am to 8:00 pm |
CLEAR:
This program uses biometric technology, like fingerprints and iris scans, to verify identity and let travelers skip security lines. CLEAR kiosks are located at Terminal 1.
| CLEAR Locations | Hours of Operation |
| North Checkpoint | Sunday to Friday- 4:30 am to 8:00 pm Saturday- 4:30 am to 7:00 pm |
| South Checkpoint | Sunday to Friday- 4:30 am to 9:00 pm Saturday- 4:30 am to 8:00 pm |
MSP Reserve:
A free program that lets travelers schedule an appointment to go through TSA screening quickly. Appointments can be made via the official airport website.
| Location | Reservation |
| Terminal 1 – North Security Checkpoint | 3:45 am to 7:45 pm |
| Terminal 2- Checkpoint 2 | 3:45 am to 8:00 am 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm |
Customs and Immigration Processing Times at MSP Airport
The customs and immigration wait times at Minneapolis Airport usually range from 7 to 25 minutes, but during peak hours, they can exceed 30 minutes. Travelers often wonder how busy is MSP right now—traffic is highest during mornings, evenings, and holidays, while late-night hours are quieter. Programs like Global Entry and Simplified Arrival help speed up the process.
Global Entry:
This program allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to pass through customs faster and to use TSA PreCheck, available at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
| Global Entry Area | Contact | Timmings |
| Terminal 1- At baggage claim level, by carousel 11 | (612) 727-3415 | Monday to Thursday- 7:00 am to 9:00 pm |
Simplified Arrival:
This program uses facial recognition technology to verify the identity of international arrivals at CBP, speeding up the customs process.
Using these programs can make your travel smoother and significantly reduce wait times for security and customs at Minneapolis Airport, providing a more comfortable airport experience.
FAQs
The MSP security wait time is usually 10–30 minutes, rising to 40–50 minutes during busy hours.
TSA PreCheck is at Checkpoint 2, Terminal 2, from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm.
CLEAR uses biometric verification to let travelers skip standard security lines.
MSP Reserve allows travelers to schedule TSA appointments for faster screening.
Simplified Arrival uses facial recognition to speed up customs processing.
TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and MSP Reserve help travelers move faster through security.