Get Through Airport Security Fast
Over a million travelers a year
find flights on Laters.com
Edited by Adinda Irawan
Edited by 
TL;DR: Covers the July 2025 end of TSA's shoes-off rule and the May 2025 REAL ID requirement. Gives arrival-time guidance, PreCheck/Global Entry/CLEAR costs, 3-1-1 liquids rule, and the upcoming EU ETIAS requirement.
✈️ Get Through Airport Security Fast (Now That Nobody's Taking Their Shoes Off)
Airport security has never been anyone's favorite part of a trip, but it has genuinely changed in the last year, in ways worth knowing before you're standing in line rehearsing a routine that no longer applies. The shoes-off rule that governed American airports for nearly two decades is gone. A new ID requirement quietly became mandatory. And most people are still packing and dressing for an airport that doesn't quite exist anymore.
This guide covers what's actually true right now: what to wear, what to pack, what ID to bring, and how domestic and international checkpoints differ, updated for how security actually works today, not how it worked when your dad taught you to travel.
🕐 How Early Should You Actually Arrive?
If your goal is to never again sprint through a terminal while your boarding pass flaps in your hand, these timings still hold up:
- Domestic flights: arrive at least 2 hours before departure
- International flights: aim for 3 hours before your flight
- With TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or a Fast Track lane: you can often shave 30 or more minutes off that
🧠 Pro Tip: Early morning and late-night flights still tend to have shorter lines. If you can help it, avoid the 7–10 AM and 4–7 PM crunch.
✅ The Actual Ways to Move Faster Through Security
1. Check In Online and Use a Mobile Boarding Pass
Skip the check-in line entirely. Most airlines let you check in online and send your boarding pass straight to your phone, and if you're not checking a bag, there's genuinely no reason to go anywhere near a counter.
2. Make Sure Your ID Actually Works Now
This one's new, and it trips people up more than anything else on this list. Since May 7, 2025, TSA has required a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID like a passport, to fly domestically within the U.S. A standard, non-compliant state license may no longer get you through, full stop. Check your license for a star in the corner; if it's not there, bring a passport instead, and don't find this out at the checkpoint.
3. Join a Trusted Traveler Program
- TSA PreCheck (U.S.): roughly $78–$85 for 5 years. Shorter, dedicated lines, and you keep your laptop and liquids in your bag.
- Global Entry (U.S.): $120 for 5 years, up from $100 after the first fee increase since 2008. Includes TSA PreCheck plus expedited customs on the way back into the country.
- CLEAR (U.S.): now around $209–$219 a year, a private biometric ID-check service that skips the document line and hands you off to the physical screening, faster still when paired with PreCheck.
- Fast Track / Priority Lanes (UK, EU, Asia): available at many airports as a paid add-on at booking or through premium travel cards.
🧠 Travelers with PreCheck still report saving 15–30 minutes a trip, and that gap hasn't shrunk even with the shoes-off rule gone, since PreCheck also skips the liquids-bag and laptop-removal steps.
4. Dress Smart, Even Though the Shoe Rule Is Gone
Here's the update that actually rewrites this whole section: as of July 8, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security ended the nearly twenty-year-old shoes-off requirement at TSA checkpoints nationwide. Everyone, PreCheck or not, can now generally keep their shoes on. Old habits die hard, and plenty of people still instinctively start unlacing their sneakers in line out of pure muscle memory. You don't have to anymore.
- Skip the belt, metal jewelry, and oversized watches, the metal detector still notices those
- Empty your pockets before you reach the scanner, not while standing in it
- Avoid clothing with lots of hidden compartments or heavy layering, those can still trigger a pat-down
- One footwear exception is still real: shoes with steel toes, metal shanks, or heavy buckles can still set off the detector and land you back through the scanner without them, so "any shoes" doesn't quite mean any shoes
🧳 Carry-On Packing Tips to Breeze Through Screening
Keep your essentials accessible:
- Passport, boarding pass, and ID in an outer pouch, where you can grab it without a small archaeological dig
- Laptop and large electronics in a side pocket, since most travelers still need to pull these out separately
- Liquids bag (100ml max each container, 1L total) in a separate clear pouch, the 3-1-1 rule hasn't gone anywhere, whatever you may have heard
🧠 Tip: packing cubes or zip pouches keep this organized so you're not performing a live unpacking show at the X-ray belt while everyone behind you sighs audibly.
Items to avoid in your carry-on:
- Bottled water or drinks, you will be asked to finish it or lose it
- Scissors, knives, or tools
- Oversized toiletries, yes, the sunscreen you swear is basically empty still counts
- Loose lithium-ion batteries not stored properly
✈️ What Actually Happens at the Checkpoint
Knowing the sequence in advance takes most of the mystery, and the anxiety, out of it:
- Document check – show your ID (REAL ID-compliant, or a passport) and boarding pass
- Baggage screening – bags pass through the X-ray machine
- Body scan – walk through the scanner or metal detector, shoes on, in most cases
- Additional screening – random checks or flagged items may need a closer look
🧠 At busy airports, build in time for a random bag check, especially if you're carrying camera gear, a drone, or anything else that makes an X-ray technician pause and lean in.
🌍 Flying Internationally? Here's What's Different
Security rules vary by country, and "vary" is doing some real work in that sentence. Most places follow the same 100ml liquids guideline, but plenty layer on extra steps.
Expect:
- Exit immigration checks before you reach the departure gate
- Customs declarations even if you're only transiting through a country
- Multiple security layers at airports like Tel Aviv, Doha, or Istanbul
- No PreCheck-style lanes in a lot of regions, so budget the extra time
🔒 Bonus Tip: Double-check visa and transit rules before you fly, and if Europe is on your itinerary, know that a new entry requirement called ETIAS is expected to start applying to visa-exempt visitors, including transit passengers, sometime around late 2026. It's a short online form, not a visa, but it's the kind of thing you want to sort out before you're standing at the gate, not during your layover.
🚀 Insider Tips for Frequent Flyers
- Avoid lines near the main entrance. Walk to a smaller checkpoint if the airport has more than one, most people never bother.
- Watch which line you join. Business travelers move fast. Families with strollers, understandably, do not.
- Check wait times online. Apps like MyTSA, FlightAware, or your airport's own site will tell you before you've committed to a line.
- Charge your phone beforehand. Some checkpoints ask you to power devices on, and a dead phone can get you flagged for a longer look.
❌ What Not to Do
- Don't joke about weapons or security. It will not be taken as the harmless bit you think it is, and it can genuinely delay your entire day.
- Don't rush the line. It won't move faster, and it tends to draw exactly the kind of attention you're trying to avoid.
- Don't forget to finish or dump your water bottle first. You will be asked to toss it, every time, no exceptions.
- Don't start repacking your bag at the scanner. Be ready before it's your turn, not while five people wait behind you.
- And don't reflexively start untying your shoes out of habit. It's a lovely, deeply ingrained instinct from the last twenty years, and it's simply not necessary anymore.
🛩 Final Takeaway
The secret to getting through airport security fast, even now that half the rules have quietly changed underneath everyone, still comes down to preparation, the right ID, and a little bit of calm. Plan ahead, keep your shoes on with a clear conscience, and move with purpose instead of panic.
Whether you're flying for work, a weekend somewhere warmer, or the big trip you've been saving for, clearing security without drama buys you back the one thing every airport tries to take from you: a little time to actually sit down before you fly.
💼 Booking Tip from Laters.com
When you book flights through Laters.com, you'll see:
- Accurate layover times
- Multi-airline connections across 650+ carriers
- Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
- Flexible payment options: Buy Now, Pay Later, crypto, e-wallets, and more
What Travellers Say
Real reviews from real customers who booked flights with Laters.com.
Buy Now Pay Later, Cryptocurrencies, over 100+ ways to pay
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I arrive at the airport for security?
It's still recommended to arrive 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights, to leave room for check-in, screening, and whatever unexpected delay the day throws at you.
Do I still need to take my shoes off at airport security?
No. The Department of Homeland Security ended the nearly 20-year-old shoes-off requirement on July 8, 2025. Nearly all travelers can now keep their shoes on at TSA checkpoints nationwide, regardless of PreCheck status. One caveat: footwear with heavy metal components, like steel toes or metal shanks, can still trigger the detector and send you back through without them.
Do I need a REAL ID to fly domestically now?
Yes. As of May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an acceptable alternative, such as a valid passport, to fly domestically within the U.S. Check your license for the compliance star; if it's missing, bring a passport instead.
What items are not allowed through airport security?
Prohibited items include full-size liquids over 100ml, sharp objects like knives and scissors, firearms, explosives, and flammable substances. Always check your specific airport or airline for the full list.
Can I bring snacks through airport security?
Yes, solid snacks like chips, sandwiches, or fruit are fine. Liquid or gel-based foods, like yogurt, soup, or peanut butter, still fall under the 100ml liquid rule.
What is TSA PreCheck and how does it work now?
TSA PreCheck is a U.S. government program, roughly $78–$85 for 5 years, that puts pre-approved travelers in a faster, dedicated line where you keep your laptop and liquids in your bag. It no longer differs from a standard line on shoes, since nobody has to remove them now, but it still saves 15–30 minutes on average.
Do I need to remove my laptop at airport security?
Yes, unless you're using TSA PreCheck or a designated fast-track lane. Laptops and tablets generally still need to come out of your bag and go in their own bin.
What is the 3-1-1 rule for airport security?
The 3-1-1 rule still applies to carry-on luggage: 3.4 ounces (100ml) per liquid container, all fitting into 1 quart-sized clear zip-top bag, 1 bag per traveler.
Can I go through airport security without a boarding pass or the right ID?
No. You need a valid boarding pass and acceptable government-issued ID, which now specifically means a REAL ID-compliant license or a passport for domestic travel, to get past the checkpoint and reach the gates.
How can I get through airport security faster in 2026?
Check in online, confirm your ID is REAL ID-compliant before you leave the house, pack liquids and electronics somewhere accessible, and consider TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or a Fast Track lane where available. Worrying about your shoes is no longer part of the equation.
What happens if I get randomly selected for extra screening?
Random screening is a standard part of airport security. You might get a pat-down, a bag search, or a few extra questions. Stay calm and cooperate; it's usually only a few extra minutes, however irritating those minutes feel.
Read More
Never Miss a Laters.com Flight Deal
Laters.com flight deals, BNPL promotions and flash sales, straight to your inbox.