San Francisco · SFO · Question
How Long Is TSA Security at SFO? Wait Times by Hour
Expert answer updated for 2026, with official sources and links to detailed guides.
TSA security at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) averages about 14 minutes in standard screening lanes. But actual wait times vary dramatically depending on when you fly.
Best and Worst Times for TSA at SFO
The shortest wait at SFO is typically tuesday around 11 pm, when lines average just 4 minutes. This is ideal for travelers with flexibility.
The longest wait is friday around 6 am, when standard screening can reach 35+ minutes. If you must fly during this window, arrive early and consider TSA PreCheck to cut your wait significantly.
TSA PreCheck at SFO
SFO 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 SFO TSA wait times page.