New York LaGuardia · LGA
LGA TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at LaGuardia Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~4 min
- Average~17 min
- QuietestWednesday around 11 PM
- BusiestSunday around 6 AM
LGA TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Terminal B (New): Terminal B Checkpoint — brand-new facility, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
- Terminal C: Terminal C Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck
Look Up LGA Wait Times for Any Day & Time
LGA 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 | 14 | 16 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 19 | 15 |
| 5 AM | 29 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 28 | 27 | 27 |
| 6 AM | 40 | 33 | 31 | 24 | 36 | 29 | 25 |
| 7 AM | 22 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 27 | 24 | 25 |
| 8 AM | 24 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 17 | 14 |
| 9 AM | 17 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 12 |
| 10 AM | 16 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 12 |
| 11 AM | 15 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 19 | 12 |
| 12 PM | 22 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 19 | 17 |
| 1 PM | 17 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 23 | 16 |
| 2 PM | 20 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 15 |
| 3 PM | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 22 |
| 4 PM | 20 | 20 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 31 | 17 |
| 5 PM | 27 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 29 | 19 |
| 6 PM | 23 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 21 |
| 7 PM | 18 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 18 | 15 | 15 |
| 8 PM | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 10 |
| 9 PM | 9 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| 10 PM | 7 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| 11 PM | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
How to Get Through LGA Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at LGA is wednesday around 11 pm. Avoid sunday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at LGA 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 LGA?
Standard screening at LaGuardia Airport averages ~17 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 40+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at LGA?
The shortest lines are wednesday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is LGA security busiest?
The busiest window is sunday around 6 am, with waits around 40 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does LGA have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. LaGuardia Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does LGA have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including LGA 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 LGA wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.