San Diego · SAN
SAN TSA Security Wait Times 2026 — By Day & Hour
Typical security wait times at San Diego International Airport with checkpoint locations, heatmap, interactive lookup, and tips for getting through faster.
Estimated wait right now
~4 min
- Average~17 min
- QuietestMonday around 11 PM
- BusiestSunday around 6 AM
SAN TSA Checkpoint Locations
- Terminal 1 (New): Terminal 1 Checkpoint — brand-new, TSA PreCheck and CLEAR
- Terminal 2 (East & West): Terminal 2 Checkpoint — TSA PreCheck
Look Up SAN Wait Times for Any Day & Time
SAN 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 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 11 |
| 5 AM | 32 | 27 | 19 | 25 | 25 | 34 | 25 |
| 6 AM | 41 | 37 | 26 | 33 | 27 | 39 | 31 |
| 7 AM | 24 | 26 | 22 | 17 | 24 | 23 | 27 |
| 8 AM | 17 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 19 | 15 |
| 9 AM | 15 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 20 | 16 |
| 10 AM | 12 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 12 |
| 11 AM | 17 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 17 |
| 12 PM | 17 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 17 | 17 |
| 1 PM | 16 | 21 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 18 | 15 |
| 2 PM | 17 | 17 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 25 | 14 |
| 3 PM | 22 | 24 | 16 | 14 | 22 | 19 | 16 |
| 4 PM | 24 | 26 | 24 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
| 5 PM | 25 | 21 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 30 | 25 |
| 6 PM | 27 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 24 |
| 7 PM | 19 | 20 | 16 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 13 |
| 8 PM | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 9 |
| 9 PM | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 11 | 9 |
| 10 PM | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| 11 PM | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
How to Get Through SAN Security Faster
- Travel at off-peak hours. The quietest window at SAN is monday around 11 pm. Avoid sunday around 6 am if possible.
- Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. PreCheck waits at SAN 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 SAN?
Standard screening at San Diego International Airport averages ~17 minutes, ranging from a few minutes to 41+ at peak. PreCheck is usually much faster.
Best time to go through security at SAN?
The shortest lines are monday around 11 pm. Early mornings before the first departures and late evenings are generally calmest.
When is SAN security busiest?
The busiest window is sunday around 6 am, with waits around 41 minutes. Friday afternoons and Sunday mornings are heavy across most hubs.
Does SAN have TSA PreCheck?
Yes. San Diego International Airport has PreCheck lanes. Enrolled travelers keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Does SAN have CLEAR?
Most major U.S. airports including SAN 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 SAN wait times?
These are modeled estimates based on historical patterns — a planning guide, not live data. Check the MyTSA app for day-of conditions.