Houston Intercontinental · IAH · Question
How Long Is TSA Security at IAH? Wait Times by Hour
Expert answer updated for 2026, with official sources and links to detailed guides.
TSA security at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) averages about 13 minutes in standard screening lanes. But actual wait times vary dramatically depending on when you fly.
Best and Worst Times for TSA at IAH
The shortest wait at IAH is typically monday around 11 pm, when lines average just 4 minutes. This is ideal for travelers with flexibility.
The longest wait is sunday around 6 am, when standard screening can reach 28+ minutes. If you must fly during this window, arrive early and consider TSA PreCheck to cut your wait significantly.
TSA PreCheck at IAH
IAH offers TSA PreCheck lanes that are typically 60–80% faster than standard screening. PreCheck costs $78 for 5 years ($15.60/year) and lets you keep shoes, belt, and jacket on, leave laptops and liquids in your bag, and use a standard metal detector. Enroll at tsa.gov/precheck. Many travel credit cards reimburse the fee. See our full PreCheck guide.
How to Check Live Wait Times
Our estimates reflect typical historical patterns. For real-time conditions on the day you travel, use the official MyTSA app from the TSA. You can also check the FAA delay map for airport-wide delays.
For our full hour-by-hour heatmap and interactive lookup tool, see the IAH TSA wait times page.