Raleigh-Durham Airport Security Wait Times Guide
RDU Flight Delays
Before your journey to Raleigh-Durham Airport, it's recommended to check for any potential departure delays. Alternatively, our handy flight tracker is available to monitor the status of a specific flight.
Security Checkpoints - Location & Hours
Below are the locations and hours for each security checkpoint. It’s recommended to arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights and two hours before international flights. Please note these times are for March 2025 and subject to change.
Concourse A (Southwest)
- Location: Concourse A
- Type: All passengers, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR Plus Members
- TSA PreCheck Hours: Daily, 3:30 AM - 8:30 PM
- CLEAR Hours: SUN - FRI, 4:00 AM - 7:30 PM; SAT, 4:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Concourse B (American, Air Canada, United, Spirit)
- Location: Concourse B
- Type: All passengers, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR Plus Members
- TSA PreCheck Hours: Daily, 3:30 AM - 8:30 PM
- CLEAR Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Concourse C (Breeze, Frontier, Delta, Alaska)
- Location: Concourse C
- Type: All passengers, TSA PreCheck, and CLEAR Plus Members
- TSA PreCheck Hours: Daily, 4:00 AM - 8:30 PM
- CLEAR Hours: SUN, MON, THURS, FRI, 4:00 AM - 7:30 PM; TUE, WED, 4:00 AM - 6:30 PM; SAT, 4:00 AM - 5:30 PM
See information below for CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck (via CLEAR) enrollment hours and locations.
All data is subject to change by the Airport, TSA, CLEAR, or other authorities.
TSA PreCheck at RDU
TSA PreCheck is a program that allows travelers to experience expedited security screening at participating airports, including Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU). Members of the program can enjoy benefits such as leaving their shoes, light outerwear, and belts on, and keeping laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in their carry-on bags during security checks.
Where to Use TSA PreCheck at RDU:
- PreCheck is available at TSA Checkpoint Terminal 1, located at Gates A, and TSA Checkpoint Terminal 2, located at Gates C and D within RDU.
- The service is intended for select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs.
Learn More About TSA PreCheck:
- For detailed information on how to enroll in TSA PreCheck, visit iFly TSA PreCheck Guide.
Participating Airlines at RDU:
- AeroMexico
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Frontier Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- United Airlines
iFly Tip: Ensure a hassle-free travel experience by following our guide on baggage cutoff times.
CLEAR Plus & TSA PreCheck Enrollment
CLEAR Plus and TSA PreCheck help you move through security faster at RDU Airport by using biometric authentication and advanced technology. You can enroll in CLEAR Plus and/or TSA PreCheck at designated CLEAR enrollment locations. We recommend starting your enrollment online and then arriving at the enrollment location with your U.S. Passport or another acceptable ID to complete the final steps in person. Enroll in TSA PreCheck. Enrollment is available for TSA PreCheck alone or can be bundled with CLEAR Plus at a discount.
CLEAR Lane Locations:- Terminal 1
Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 7:45pm
Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm - Terminal 2
4:00am - 7:45pm
- Terminal 1
CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
Sun - Fri: 4:00am - 7:45pm
Sat: 4:00am - 6:00pm - Terminal 2
CLEAR Plus Enrollment:
4:00am - 7:45pm
TSA PreCheck® Enrollment:
6:00am - 6:00pm
Located across from the Delta Air Lines ticketing counter. Look for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR signage.
For more information about the CLEAR program, including locations and airports where the service is available, visit our CLEAR Airport Security Guide.
How to Check RDU Airport Security Wait Times
Follow these three simple steps to check security wait times on this page:
Step 1: Find the Checkpoint Times section. Scroll to the bottom of the page or click the “Check Wait Times” button in the RDU Average Checkpoint Times widget.
Step 2: Choose your arrival time. Use the dropdown menu to select when you plan to reach security.
Step 3: View estimated wait times. The site will display the average wait time for your selected period.
Tips for Using Wait Times
- Wait times are estimates: Actual conditions may vary due to crowd levels and security delays.
- Arrive early during peak hours: Security lines are often longer in the mornings and around holidays.
- Check the official airport site: Some airports provide real-time security wait times for each checkpoint. Visit RDU Airport’s official website and search for "security wait times" to see if this feature is available.
Lost Items at TSA Checkpoints
If you've lost an item at a TSA checkpoint or in checked baggage at Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU), you should promptly contact the airport's Lost and Found. For detailed information and to report your lost item, you can reach the TSA Lost Items Contact at +1-919-468-4053. Be prepared to provide a comprehensive description of your item, including color and any unique features, to aid in its identification and recovery.
About RDU Security Wait Times
The security wait times shown for Raleigh-Durham Airport are computed using a comprehensive examination of historical flight records and TSA staffing timetables. Utilizing sophisticated data evaluation techniques, various 3rd party services, and publicly available data sets to offer fairly precise estimates of wait times at RDU. However, it's important to realize that these estimates may vary due to unforeseen incidents. The TSA advises passengers to get to the airport well before their planned flight departure time.
We strive to assist you in your travel preparations by delivering reliable estimates of security checkpoint wait times. We also recommend contacting your airline for information on ticket counter wait times and any potential changes to your flight schedule. These factors should be taken into account when deciding when to arrive at RDU. Keep in mind, each airline has its own suggested and mandatory arrival times.
iFly Tip: Worried about ear pressure for your toddler? Find solutions in our flying with toddlers tips.
About this Page: Please note that while we strive to keep the content on this page current and accurate, we cannot guarantee it due to the ever-changing nature of airports and airlines; for more details about our data and practices, refer to our Trust & Transparency statement. To report any data issues, use our feedback form.
TSA Pre Check at RDU
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 Checkpoint
Terminal 2
Terminal 2 Checkpoint
Tips, Help & Resources
iFly.com can help you get to, through, and between airports around the world. Here are some things you may need to know that can assist you during your journey specific to RDU:
- Once you get through security, pull up the interactive Raleigh-Durham airport terminals map to navigate to your gate, and see all the RDU restaurant and shopping options along the way.
- Remember that a great low-cost alternative to parking within the RDU airport facility is to use an off-airport parking lot. They offer lower costs, a bit further away from the terminals.
- If you have some time before your flight's departure, be sure to grab a bite, peruse the shops, or jump on the free wifi.
- The next time you need to fly from the Morrisville area, don't forget to check nearby airports to compare with RDU airports' flight fares.
Raleigh-Durham Airport wait times Q&A
Find more help here for your journey through the airport