How Early Should I Arrive at CLT?
Planning your arrival at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)? Based on TSA wait time data showing peak waits of 25 minutes, here are our recommended arrival times to ensure you don't miss your flight.
Recommended Arrival Times at CLT
Domestic Flights
International Flights
Holiday & Peak Travel Advisory
During Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer travel season, add 30-60 minutes to these recommendations. Airport crowds can be significantly higher during peak travel periods.
Current TSA Wait Times at CLT
Average Wait
11 min
Peak Wait
25 min
Thursdays at 2 PM
Early Morning
11 min
Before 6 AM
Quick Times
35
slots under 5 min
Best & Worst Times to Arrive at CLT
Busiest Times (Arrive Extra Early)
- - Morning rush: 6 AM - 9 AM (avg 13 min wait)
- - Evening rush: 4 PM - 7 PM (avg 14 min wait)
- - Busiest day: Thursdays
- - Holiday periods: Major holidays + surrounding days
Best Times (Shorter Lines)
- - Early morning: Before 6 AM (avg 11 min wait)
- - Mid-morning: 10 AM - 12 PM
- - Late evening: After 8 PM
- - Quietest day: Wednesdays
Why You Need 2.5 hours at CLT
Here's how your time breaks down when arriving at Charlotte Douglas International Airport:
Tips to Save Time at CLT
Get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR
TSA PreCheck ($78/5 years) lets you keep shoes, belt, and laptop in bag. CLEAR ($189/year) provides biometric verification to skip ID check lines.
Check in online
Check in 24 hours before your flight and download your mobile boarding pass to skip the check-in counter entirely.
Pack TSA-friendly
Follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids, wear slip-on shoes, and keep electronics accessible to speed through security.
Know your terminal
Check which terminal your airline uses before arriving. Some airports require extra time for inter-terminal transfers.
First Time Flying from CLT?
If this is your first time flying from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, here's what to expect when you arrive at the airport:
1 Arriving at the Airport
- - Follow signs to your airline's terminal
- - If driving, follow "Departures" signs to drop-off or parking
- - Allow extra time if using rideshare or public transit
2 Check-In Process
- - Use self-service kiosks or airline counter
- - Have your ID and booking confirmation ready
- - Drop checked bags at the bag drop counter
3 TSA Security Screening
- - Have boarding pass and ID ready
- - Remove laptops, liquids (3.4oz max), and shoes
- - Empty pockets and remove belts before screening
4 Finding Your Gate
- - Check departure screens for your gate number
- - Follow signs to your gate (gates can change!)
- - Be at the gate 30 min before boarding
Pro tip: Download your airline's app to get real-time gate updates and mobile boarding passes.
CLT Airport Arrival FAQ
How early should I arrive at CLT airport?
For domestic flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure. For international flights, arrive 3.5 hours early. During peak times (Thursdays around 2 PM), consider arriving even earlier as TSA wait times can reach 25 minutes.
How early should I get to CLT for a domestic flight?
Arrive at least 2.5 hours before your domestic flight at CLT. This allows time for parking/transit, check-in, TSA security (averaging 11 minutes), and walking to your gate. If you have TSA PreCheck, you may be able to arrive 2 hours early during off-peak times.
How early should I arrive at CLT for an international flight?
For international departures from Charlotte Douglas International Airport, arrive 3.5 hours before your flight. International flights require additional time for document verification, potential customs pre-clearance, and longer check-in processes. With TSA lines averaging 11 minutes, the extra time ensures you won't miss your flight.
How long does it take to get through security at CLT?
TSA security wait times at CLT vary by day and time. Peak waits can reach 25 minutes (typically on Thursdays), while off-peak times average 11 minutes. There are 35 time slots with waits under 5 minutes, usually early morning or late evening.
What is the best time to go through security at CLT?
The best times to go through TSA at CLT are early morning (before 6 AM) with average waits of 11 minutes, and late evening. Avoid Thursdays when lines are longest. Wednesdays tend to have the shortest wait times.
Should I arrive earlier at CLT during holidays?
Yes, during holidays and peak travel periods at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, add at least 30-60 minutes to the standard arrival times. For domestic flights, arrive 2.5-3 hours early. For international flights, arrive 3.5-4 hours early. Check-in lines, TSA, and terminals will be significantly busier during Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, and summer travel season.