Dulles International Airport (IAD) TSA Security Wait Times Information
Dulles TSA Wait Times
Wondering what the wait times are at Dulles Airport? You’ve come to the right place! According to a recent Upgraded Points article, the average IAD security wait time is approximately 10.5 minutes. The best IAD airport security wait times occur on Tuesday, Wednesday or Sunday from 10pm-11pm. The worst IAD security lines are at Friday 9pm-10pm, where you could wait up to 28 minutes. More information on checkpoints can be found below.
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IAD Airport features CLEAR expedited security screening. Joining CLEAR will save you time and stress in Dulles security lines. See below for TSA/CLEAR hours for enrollment and screening.
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Maps, Airlines & Amenities
Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) Terminals
IAD Flight Delays
Before you head to the airport, keep yourself informed of IAD delays by checking IAD Arrival Delays, IAD Departure Delays, or use iFly's IAD Flight Tracker. Having knowledge of IAD airport delays will help with stress-free travel.
Dulles International Airport Security Checkpoints - Location and Hours
At Dulles International Airport, there are 3 security checkpoints East, West and TSA PreCheck. Passengers may use any of the security lines, as the are situated centrally in the Main Terminal. The TSA PreCheck is located between East and West security checkpoints. CLEAR is now available at all security checkpoints at IAD airport.
IAD TSA Terminal East Checkpoint
Type: All passengers
Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 9:45 PM
CLEAR Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
IAD TSA Terminal PreCheck Only Checkpoint
Type: TSA Pre only
TSA Pre Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 10:00 PM
IAD TSA Terminal West Checkpoint
Type: All passengers
Hours: Daily, 3:45 AM to 9:00 PM
CLEAR Hours: Daily, 4:30 AM to 9:30 PM
CLEAR Lanes
IAD features CLEAR expedited security screening which, if you participate, can help to reduce the time you spend in Dulles TSA security lines. CLEAR counters are located at all security checkpoints.
TSA PreCheck at Dulles International Airport
IAD TSA Pre Lanes can be found between the East and West security checkpoints. As the TSA operates these special checkpoints, the hours may be different from the Terminal operating hours. See the TSA Pre schedule the specific hours for the date and time you are traveling.
IAD TSA wait times can be cut down considerably if you participate in the TSA Pre program. You can even sign up for TSA PreCheck before your next IAD flight - there are 2 enrollment centers in the Dulles International Airport in the terminal near Departures - Ticketing/Check-in Level (outside West Security Checkpoint & East Security Checkpoint). According to the TSA, the enrollment center is open from 8:00 AM - 9:30AM and 9:45AM - 11:00AM and 12:00PM - 2:00PM and 2:15PM-4:00PM Monday-Friday.
TSA PreCheck passengers can enjoy expedited screening at IAD, and in most cases you don’t have to remove your: shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. For more information and to enroll/pre-enroll, visit the TSA website.
About IAD Security Wait Times
Security wait times at Dulles International Airport are approximate and can vary based on several factors including severe weather, TSA staffing, airport construction, etc.
IAD TSA wait time forecasts are made leveraging flight volume data and TSA staffing models. Using advanced data science, wait times for Dulles International Airport are projected, that barring extreme outliers, are within five minutes in accuracy, as validated by large US airlines. The TSA urges all travelers to arrive at the airport well in advance of scheduled flight departures and has provided security checkpoint wait time information as a guide to assist in travel planning. Please be sure to check with your airline for ticket counter wait times as well as possible changes to flight schedules, as these and other factors influence your decision regarding how early to arrive at IAD. Please be aware that each airline has a recommended arrival time and even stricter required arrival times.
All airlines require that you arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and even onboard and in your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time. The amount of the advance arrival time required varies depending on the airline you are using. Most airlines' conditions of carriage state that with many of their tickets, failure to arrive at the check-in counter, the flight's departure gate and your assigned seat a prescribed amount of time before the flight's scheduled departure time may cause you to be denied boarding and cause you to forfeit any refund or other compensation due for the unused ticket even if you have advance seat assignments and advance boarding passes.