Guides · TSA PreCheck
Is TSA PreCheck open right now?
By the TSA Wait Times team · Updated · Published June 2026
Most of the day, yes — but PreCheck lanes keep their own hours, and they can close when an airport runs quiet. The fastest way to know is to check your airport's schedule before you go, so you don't plan a tight arrival around a lane that's shut. Here's how to tell, and what to do if it's closed.
The short answer: usually open, sometimes not
PreCheck is open during an airport's busy stretches and can close when traffic drops. Each airport sets its own PreCheck hours around staffing, so a dedicated lane that's humming at 6 a.m. may be roped off by mid-morning. Mornings (roughly 4 to 9 a.m.) and late afternoons are the safest bets; slow midday and late-night hours are when you're most likely to find the lane closed or merged into a standard one.
The good news: a closed lane doesn't mean you lose your benefit. It just means your faster screening happens in a regular lane today. More on that below.
Watch out for the edges of the day. If you have a 5 a.m. departure or a late red-eye, the dedicated PreCheck lane may not be staffed yet, or may have shut for the night. A quick schedule check the evening before tells you whether to count on the fast lane or plan a little extra time.
How to check if PreCheck is open right now
Check a few quick things before you leave the house — the posted schedule, today's live wait, and your airport's own app.
- TSA's PreCheck checkpoint schedule. TSA publishes a PreCheck checkpoint schedule. Pick your airport, the day, and the time to see the hours each lane plans to run.
- Today's live security wait.Open your airport's page to see how busy it is right now — handy hubs include Atlanta (ATL), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), and Houston (IAH).
- Your airport's own app or feed. Many airports post lane status and wait times in their app, which is the closest read on the next hour.
PreCheck, Global Entry, and CLEAR at a glance
If you're weighing which pass to buy, here's how the three compare as of 2026. PreCheck and Global Entry last five years; CLEAR renews yearly.
| Pass | Cost | Lasts | Speeds up |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | ~$77–$85 | 5 years | Physical security screening |
| Global Entry | $120 | 5 years | Screening + reentry from abroad |
| CLEAR Plus | ~$209/yr | 1 year | The ID check |
Global Entry includes PreCheck, so frequent international travelers often choose it for the same lane plus a faster trip home. CLEAR solves a different step — the ID check — and pairs well with PreCheck. For a deeper look, see our guide on PreCheck vs CLEAR.
What to do if the PreCheck lane is closed
You still get expedited screening — it just happens in a standard lane. Here's the move:
- Look for the TSA PreCheckmark on your boarding pass. If it's there, your expedited screening travels with you.
- Show that boarding pass to the agent and use the standard lane they point you to.
- Keep your 3-1-1liquids and your laptop in your bag, and your shoes and a light jacket on. You don't unpack the way a regular traveler does.
A quick honesty note: when the dedicated lane is shut, the standard line may be longer than the PreCheck line would have been. That's exactly why it pays to check before you go and pad your arrival a little.
Why PreCheck lanes close off-peak
It comes down to staffing. TSA opens and closes lanes to match the crowd, so when only a handful of flights are leaving, the dedicated PreCheck lane may merge into a standard one to keep agents where the people are. That's why a lane's hours can shift week to week, and why a posted schedule beats a rule of thumb. Plan around today's real picture, not last month's.
Common questions about PreCheck hours
What hours is TSA PreCheck open?
PreCheck hours vary by airport and aren't the same everywhere. Most lanes open for the early-morning and late-afternoon rushes and may close during slow midday or late-night stretches. Check the TSA PreCheck checkpoint schedule for your airport, since each one sets hours around its own staffing and traffic.
What happens if the PreCheck lane is closed?
You still get expedited screening. Show the agent your boarding pass with the TSA PreCheck mark, and you can use a standard lane while keeping your shoes and a light jacket on and your 3-1-1 liquids and laptop in your bag.
Do I need to take my shoes off in PreCheck?
No. PreCheck travelers keep their shoes on, and since 2025 most travelers can keep shoes on in standard lanes too. You may still be asked to remove them if a scanner alarms.
How much does TSA PreCheck cost in 2026?
A new five-year membership runs about $77 to $85, depending on the enrollment provider you pick, and renewals cost a bit less. Global Entry, which includes PreCheck plus faster reentry from abroad, is $120 for five years.
Is CLEAR the same as PreCheck?
No. CLEAR Plus, about $209 a year, speeds you through the ID check, while PreCheck speeds you through the physical screening. They handle different steps, and many travelers pair the two.
Still deciding how much cushion you need? Read how early you should really arrive and set your timing by today's wait, not a generic two-hour guess.
Know the exact minute to leave
Whether the PreCheck lane is open or not, your Leave-By Time counts backward from your flight — drive, security wait, and the walk to your gate — so you head out with room to breathe.
Run your Leave-By Time