How Early Should I Arrive at LSE?
Planning your arrival at La Crosse Municipal Airport (LSE)? Based on TSA wait time data showing peak waits of 30 minutes, here are our recommended arrival times to ensure you don't miss your flight.
Recommended Arrival Times at LSE
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 LSE
Average Wait
min
Peak Wait
30 min
Fridays at 1 AM
Early Morning
5 min
Before 6 AM
Quick Times
0
slots under 5 min
Best & Worst Times to Arrive at LSE
Busiest Times (Arrive Extra Early)
- - Morning rush: 6 AM - 9 AM (avg 20 min wait)
- - Evening rush: 4 PM - 7 PM (avg 15 min wait)
- - Busiest day: Mondays
- - Holiday periods: Major holidays + surrounding days
Best Times (Shorter Lines)
- - Early morning: Before 6 AM (avg 5 min wait)
- - Mid-morning: 10 AM - 12 PM
- - Late evening: After 8 PM
- - Quietest day: Sundays
Why You Need 2.5 hours at LSE
Here's how your time breaks down when arriving at La Crosse Municipal Airport:
Tips to Save Time at LSE
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 LSE?
If this is your first time flying from La Crosse Municipal 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.
LSE Airport Arrival FAQ
How early should I arrive at LSE airport?
For domestic flights at La Crosse Municipal Airport, arrive at least 2.5 hours before departure. For international flights, arrive 3.5 hours early. During peak times (Fridays around 1 AM), consider arriving even earlier as TSA wait times can reach 0 minutes.
How early should I get to LSE for a domestic flight?
Arrive at least 2.5 hours before your domestic flight at LSE. This allows time for parking/transit, check-in, TSA security (averaging NaN 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 LSE for an international flight?
For international departures from La Crosse Municipal 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 NaN minutes, the extra time ensures you won't miss your flight.
How long does it take to get through security at LSE?
TSA security wait times at LSE vary by day and time. Peak waits can reach 30 minutes (typically on Mondays), while off-peak times average 5 minutes. Early mornings and late evenings typically have shorter lines.
What is the best time to go through security at LSE?
The best times to go through TSA at LSE are early morning (before 6 AM) with average waits of 5 minutes, and late evening. Avoid Mondays when lines are longest. Sundays tend to have the shortest wait times.
Should I arrive earlier at LSE during holidays?
Yes, during holidays and peak travel periods at La Crosse Municipal 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.