What Time Does Costco Close? Hours, Early Entry, Rules

Anyone who’s ever stood outside a locked Costco door at 8:31 PM knows that guessing closing time can be a costly mistake, and with changing membership perks, early-entry hours, and new entry rules, keeping track of when your local warehouse closes is trickier than it used to be. Here’s a practical guide to Costco hours, including how to find your store’s exact schedule, when to avoid the crowds, and what the latest policy changes mean for your next trip.

Typical weekday closing time (US): 8:30 PM ·
Typical weekday closing time (UK): 9:30 PM ·
Executive early entry (weekdays): 1 hour before opening ·
New entry rule effective: Membership card scan required ·
Slowest day to shop: Weekday mornings (Tuesday–Thursday)

Five key facts, one pattern: the hours you need depend on your membership tier, your location, and the day of the week.

What time does Costco close today?

Typical closing hours by region

Costco closing times are not uniform. In the United States, warehouses typically close at 8:30 PM Monday through Friday, 7:00 PM on Saturday, and 6:00 PM on Sunday, according to Costco Customer Service (official operations page). In the United Kingdom, the pattern shifts later: 9:30 PM on weekdays, 8:00 PM on Saturday, and 6:00 PM on Sunday.

However, these are guidelines, not guarantees. Local exceptions exist — for example, the Clackamas, Oregon warehouse lists its own hours and holiday closures, demonstrating that the final word comes from your local store’s page.

How to find your local store’s hours

• Use the Costco Warehouse Locations directory (official store locator).
• Download the Costco app for real-time updates and holiday hours.
• Call the warehouse directly — phone numbers are listed on the store locator page.

The implication: a few seconds of checking can save a wasted trip.

What is the slowest time to shop at Costco?

Slowest days of the week

According to a Delish shopping guide (lifestyle publication), the least crowded days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Weekends, especially Saturday afternoons, are the most congested.

Slowest times of day

Weekday mornings, right after opening, are the quietest. Early afternoon (around 1 PM to 3 PM) is the second-best window. Late afternoon and evening see the heaviest traffic as people stop by after work.

Expert recommendations from Delish

“The best time to shop at Costco is Tuesday through Thursday mornings,” says the Delish article. “Avoid weekends and holiday weeks if you value your sanity.”

— Delish (lifestyle and food publication)

The pattern: your shopping experience — and the length of your checkout line — is largely determined by the day you choose.

Does Costco let certain members in early?

Executive membership early shopping hours

Costco Executive members can enter the warehouse one hour before the official opening time on weekdays, a policy that took effect in early 2024 and was updated in June 2025, as reported by Axios (business and politics news outlet). The early entry starts at 9:00 AM on weekdays and Sundays, and 9:00 AM on Saturdays with a shorter 30-minute window before standard opening.

How to qualify for early entry

• You must hold an active Executive membership ($130 per year, per Business Insider (retail and finance coverage)).
• Gold Star and Business members do not qualify — they must wait until standard opening.
• Early entry is not available on weekends for any tier.

The trade-off: for an extra $70 over the standard Gold Star membership, you get first dibs on fresh stock and quieter aisles — but only on weekdays.

What is the new entry rule for Costco?

Membership card scanning at entrance

Starting in 2024, Costco began deploying membership scanning devices at warehouse entrances. According to Costco Customer Service (official policy notice), members must scan their physical or digital membership card’s barcode or QR code before entering. If the card lacks a photo, a photo ID may be required.

Enforcement starting Labor Day 2024

The rollout was announced in the months leading up to Labor Day 2024 and has been gradually implemented across US warehouses. By 2026, some secondary sources report the scanners are fully in effect nationwide, though Mashed (food and retail blog) notes that timeline may vary by location.

“Costco’s entrance scanning policy is intended to verify membership status before entry,” a company notice quoted by Yahoo Finance (financial news syndication) states. “Guests must be accompanied by a valid member.”

The catch: the rule effectively ends the old practice of borrowing a friend’s card or walking in without one. If you’re not a member, you’re not getting past the scanner.

How can I find Costco hours for my local store?

Using the Costco website store finder

The Costco Warehouse Locations directory (official store locator) shows hours, services, and holiday closures for each warehouse.

Using the Costco mobile app

Download the Costco app for real-time updates, holiday hours, and the ability to save your preferred store. The app’s store locator uses your device’s GPS to find the nearest warehouse.

Calling the warehouse directly

Phone numbers are listed on the store finder page. Calling ahead is the most reliable way to confirm hours on holidays or during special events.

The implication: a few seconds of checking can save a wasted trip.

Frequently Asked Questions