We all want to score big savings at Costco, but time is often just as valuable as money—especially when you’re navigating those long lines! While not everyone has the luxury of leisurely wandering the aisles like we do, no one wants to get stuck waiting forever at the checkout.

So, if you’re hoping to make your Costco run as smooth and quick as possible, here are some tips on the best days and times to shop—straight from a seasoned Costco regular.

Best Days to Shop at Costco

Weekends at Costco are a madhouse—think crowded aisles and long lines if you can, try to shop on a weekday when you’ll find shorter lines and fewer people.

Mondays are typically VERY busy with Instacart shoppers. In our Ulitmate Guide to Online Shopping at Costco, you can read more about the benefits and downsides of shopping through Instacart. Still, the gist is that personal shoppers from the company do your shopping in the warehouse. Often, these workers are handling multiple orders at once and hustling.

The sweet spot? Tuesdays and Wednesdays. These are generally the least busy days, so you can shop without feeling like you’re in a race for the last item on the shelf.

Mondays and Fridays can be crowded, not only with regular shoppers but also with Instacart shoppers stocking up for delivery. However, if you’re lucky enough to go to Costco on a Monday after a holiday, you’ll find the store much quieter. We just went the day after MLK Day and the aisles were EMPTY; it was glorious. Most people have already done their shopping for the week, leaving you with more elbow room.

A common question we get is about Costco sales—does shopping on certain days get you better deals? The answer is no. Costco’s discounts rotate constantly, and there’s no magical “sale day.” You’ll always find something on sale, no matter when you go. If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on the best deals, sign up for our email newsletter and have the discounts delivered straight to your inbox!

Best Times to Shop at Costco

If you’re looking for the ultimate Costco experience, head there first thing in the morning. Most locations open their doors at 10 a.m. (and often a few minutes earlier), and, as a seasoned Costco regular, we’ve found that’s the perfect time to shop. The aisles are practically empty, the lines are short, and you’ll get in and out faster than you can say “bulk buy.” Plus, the store is still being stocked, so it’s a great time to grab fresh items before they’re picked over.

The only downside? You’ll miss out on the free samples. Most sample stations start handing out tastings around 11 a.m., so if you’re all about those little bites, plan your visit accordingly. But even then, it’s still relatively calm.

We get it—early mornings aren’t convenient for everyone, so if you can’t make it at 10 a.m., the next best time is about an hour before closing. This gives you plenty of time to shop before the store shuts down for the day. Redditors agree, with the consensus being that 7pm is ideal.

What should you definitely avoid? The prime chaos hours: weekday afternoons from 4–6 p.m., and weekend afternoons. These are peak times when the store is packed with people trying to get in their shopping before dinner or closing time.

So, there you have it! If you can hit up Costco during the quiet hours, you’ll breeze through your trip with minimal hassle. What’s your favorite time to shop? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy shopping!

Pin this for later.