Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) TSA Wait Times

The current estimated TSA wait time at Raleigh-Durham International is approximately 13 minutes. Wait times are updated every 5 minutes based on real-time data. Actual wait times may vary depending on the time of day, day of the week, and seasonal travel volume.

The busiest times for TSA security at Raleigh-Durham International are typically 2 pm - 3 pm, 1 pm - 2 pm, 4 pm - 5 pm. During these peak hours, wait times can be significantly longer than average. For the shortest wait times, consider arriving during 3 am - 4 am, 7 pm - 8 pm, 8 pm - 9 pm, when waits can drop to as low as 0 minutes.

Yes, Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) offers TSA PreCheck lanes. PreCheck passengers typically experience shorter wait times and do not need to remove shoes, laptops, or liquids from their bags. PreCheck lanes are available at select checkpoints — check our checkpoint status section above for current availability.

For domestic flights from Raleigh-Durham International, we recommend arriving at least 2 hours before your departure time. For international flights, arrive at least 3 hours early. During peak travel periods or when current wait times exceed 30 minutes, consider adding an extra 30-60 minutes to your arrival time. TSA PreCheck passengers can typically arrive later, but should still allow at least 90 minutes for domestic flights.

Raleigh-Durham International has 2 terminals with security checkpoints. Wait times can vary between checkpoints — check the checkpoint status table above to see which checkpoints are currently open and their estimated wait times. Some checkpoints may be faster depending on the time of day and your terminal.

The average TSA wait time at Raleigh-Durham International varies throughout the day. Off-peak hours (3 am - 4 am, 7 pm - 8 pm, 8 pm - 9 pm) typically see wait times around 0 minutes, while peak hours (2 pm - 3 pm, 1 pm - 2 pm, 4 pm - 5 pm) can see significantly longer waits. Check the hourly wait time chart above for a detailed breakdown of expected wait times throughout the day.