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Tips on TSA wait times at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

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    Quick insights

    • TSA wait times at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) are frequently over 15 minutes.
    • Wait times often extend to 25 minutes or more around 5 a.m. on weekdays.
    • Travelers can use mobile apps that provide current TSA wait times based on real-time data.

    For many travelers, long TSA lines can add unwanted stress to a trip. As FLL serves a high volume of passengers—from Broward County natives to numerous wintertime travelers—this large airport hub sometimes experiences extended TSA wait times.

    If you’re concerned about your wait time for an upcoming trip out of FLL, there are several resources available to help you estimate your TSA wait time and potentially reach your gate faster. Here are some things to know about TSA wait times at FLL and a few tips to help you clear security more efficiently.   

    TSA wait times at FLL

    TSA wait times at FLL are often at least 15 minutes. During busy travel periods, wait times may extend to 25 minutes or more. You are likely to encounter longer lines around 5 a.m. on weekdays, with Wednesdays often being the busiest day of the week. Wait times usually increase on holidays, too.

    FLL experiences seasonal travel patterns that can contribute to longer TSA wait times. South Florida’s population noticeably increases from October through April due to an influx of seasonal residents seeking warmer weather.

    Plus, Fort Lauderdale is a major cruise port, with cruise activity peaking from November to April. During these months, many seasonal residents and cruise passengers travel through FLL, potentially leading to long lines at airport security.

    MyTSA and other mobile apps provide current wait times for standard and TSA PreCheck® lanes at FLL and many other airports.

    Please note that the apps do not guarantee your actual wait time. Sudden fluctuations in TSA wait times can occur due to increases in passenger volume, equipment availability, TSA staffing levels and other factors.

    Timing your arrival at FLL

    TSA recommends arriving 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights, and your airline’s website may make a recommendation based on your departure airport. There are some apps that, in addition to providing current TSA wait times, use historical data to predict wait times on a given travel day.

    To determine their airport arrival time, travelers may factor in their projected TSA wait time along with the estimated time needed for parking, checking in with the airline and other pre-boarding tasks. 

    FLL offers several parking services that could potentially reduce the time it takes to reach your gate. Here are a few tips for parking more efficiently at FLL:

    • Download the FLL airport app: The mobile app provides real-time parking availability, allowing travelers to identify which garages are full.
    • Know where to park: Long-term parking is available in the Cypress, Hibiscus and Palm Garages. You can view the map on the FLL parking page to see which garage is closest to your terminal.
    • Use Space Finder: The Hibiscus and Palm Garages are equipped with Space Finder—an automated parking guidance system that helps you find an open space faster by directing you toward available spots with color-coded lights.
    • Consider curbside valet: This service is available at the departure level in Terminals 1 and 4.

    Some airlines offer mobile apps that allow travelers to check in, access a mobile boarding pass and pre-check their bags. In some cases, travelers who use the app don’t need to stop at the airline self-service kiosk or counter.

    If you pre-check your bags through the app, note that you’ll still need to drop the bags off at the airline counter.

    How to get through airport security faster at FLL

    You can potentially expedite your airport security experience by taking certain steps. Here are our tips to help streamline your security screening.

    Choose the right travel time

    While some travelers may not have flexibility with their itinerary, it could be worth considering flights with off-peak travel times when TSA lines are typically shorter.

    Travelers can use apps to predict their TSA wait times, which may be particularly helpful when traveling during holidays or from October through April when seasonal travel peaks. Additionally, travelers can compare estimated wait times at FLL and Miami International Airport (MIA) when selecting an itinerary.

    Follow TSA rules

    Familiarizing yourself with TSA guidelines, especially carry-on restrictions, generally eases the security screening process. Keeping your bag organized may also make the screening smoother.

    You’re typically required to remove your shoes, belts and light jackets, and take your laptop and liquids out of your bag. Being prepared and wearing easy-to-remove items could help the screening go faster.

    Consider programs that help expedite screenings

    TSA PreCheck—a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP)—allows eligible travelers to use designated security lanes. During the security screening, members enrolled in TSA PreCheck usually don’t need to remove their shoes, belts and light jackets, and can leave their laptops and liquids in their bags.

    Becoming a member of CLEAR Plus—a privately operated traveler program—is another way to streamline the security check-in process. Members use the designated kiosk, which uses biometrics to confirm their identity rather than the usual identification documents.

    After your identity is authenticated, you’ll proceed to the screening lines as usual. While CLEAR Plus is not a TTP, this program can be bundled with TSA PreCheck.

    In summary

    At FLL, TSA wait times are often over 15 minutes and can extend to 25 minutes or more during peak travel periods. The airport frequently experiences high traffic volumes around 5 a.m. on weekdays. Additionally, TSA lines may be longer from October through April due to seasonal travel.

    To access current TSA wait times at FLL for both standard and TSA PreCheck security lanes, travelers can download MyTSA or other mobile apps. FLL also offers several services to streamline airport parking including curbside valet and garages outfitted with automated parking guidance system.

    Some potential ways to get through security faster include preparing for your screening, enrolling in TSA PreCheck or choosing an off-peak travel time. 

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