Houston Intercontinental · IAH
IAH TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at George Bush Intercontinental Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~3 min
- Average~13 min
- QuietestMonday around 11 PM
- BusiestSunday around 6 AM
IAH TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Terminal A: Terminal A Checkpoint
- Terminal B: Terminal B Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
- Terminal C: Terminal C Checkpoint
- Terminal D (International): Terminal D Checkpoint — Federal Inspection area for arrivals
- Terminal E: Terminal E Checkpoint
Look Up IAH Wait Times for Any Day & Time
IAH TSA Wait Time Heatmap — Minutes by Day & Hour
Standard-lane estimates in minutes. <5 5–11 12–21 22+
| Hour | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 AM | 13 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| 5 AM | 23 | 19 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 21 | 19 |
| 6 AM | 28 | 25 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 26 | 27 |
| 7 AM | 22 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 14 |
| 8 AM | 15 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 12 |
| 9 AM | 13 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
| 10 AM | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 10 |
| 11 AM | 13 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 13 |
| 12 PM | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| 1 PM | 14 | 15 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 17 | 13 |
| 2 PM | 16 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 11 | 16 | 12 |
| 3 PM | 14 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 18 | 12 |
| 4 PM | 15 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 17 | 16 |
| 5 PM | 19 | 22 | 13 | 15 | 20 | 17 | 14 |
| 6 PM | 18 | 16 | 11 | 14 | 14 | 20 | 13 |
| 7 PM | 14 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 11 |
| 8 PM | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 9 PM | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| 10 PM | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| 11 PM | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
How to Get Through IAH Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at IAH is monday around 11 pm. Avoid sunday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at IAH are typically a fraction of standard. CLEAR skips the ID-check line entirely.
- Pack smart. Check our TSA Packing Guide to avoid delays from prohibited items. Have laptops and liquids easily accessible.
- Use mobile boarding passes and have your ID ready before reaching the checkpoint. This alone can save 2–5 minutes.
- Check live conditions on the MyTSA app ↗ and FAA delay map ↗.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical TSA wait times at IAH?
Standard screening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport averages ~13 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 28+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at IAH?
The shortest lines are monday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is IAH security busiest?
The busiest window is sunday around 6 am, with waits around 28 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does IAH have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does IAH have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including IAH offer CLEAR expedited identity verification. CLEAR members skip to the front of the document-check line, then proceed through standard or PreCheck physical screening.
How accurate are these IAH wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.