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If you’re reading this, you probably know that a trip to Costco can sometimes feel like a full-contact sport, especially during peak hours. The crowd’s huge, the aisles are packed, and the lines? Don’t even get us started. But what if we told you there’s a way to shop smarter, not harder?
Knowing the best time to shop at Costco can seriously upgrade your shopping game. Whether you’re shopping on a Tuesday morning, a Wednesday night, or even on the weekend, timing your visit right can make all the difference when it comes to the Costco crowds. Let’s dive into figuring out the best time to shop at Costco.
For more smart shopping tips and savings hacks, text HACKS to 57299.
Krazy Coupon Lady employees know the best time to shop at Costco because we’re at the warehouse every week.
In case you didn’t know, here at KCL we actually shop the deals we tell you about. So we have real people on foot in Costco all week long. And even if our KCL team members aren’t going to Costco for work, we’re there just because we love Costco. With all these visits to Costco, we know when it’s at its busiest — and when it’s not (and that’s when we go!).
TIP: Even though they have self-checkout lanes now at some Costco locations, you’re still not going to be able to skip the lines like you can with Scan & Go at Sam’s Club.
Aim to shop in the middle of the week, about an hour before Costco closes.
A broad answer as to when you should go to Costco would be in the middle of the week and an hour before they close. And if you want the exact, ultimate best time to go to Costco based on our observations, that would be on a Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. (since Costco typically closes at 8:30 p.m.).
But if you’re up with the sunrise, hit Costco as soon as it opens on weekdays (at most locations that’s 10 a.m.). Everything’s just been restocked, and the crowd is still thin.
Related: Check out the Costco coupon book before you shop so you can plan your shopping trip ahead of time.
When is the worst time to go to Costco?
Avoid Mondays because it can get a bit hectic with everyone restocking after the busy weekend crowd. And Sundays are a total no-go — it’s by far the busiest day of the week at Costco.
TIP: If you need to make a Costco return, just know that the return line is extra long first thing in the morning. With the awesome Costco price adjustment policy, it’s no shocker that people are there utilizing it.
Heading to Costco on the weekend? Get there right when they open or before they close.
If the weekdays are a no-go for you, we’ve got some tips for the weekend, too. Try to shop as soon as the store opens or just before it closes. Midday, especially on Saturdays, is just crazy busy.
Avoid the Costco crowds entirely when you shop online (but remember that some prices may be higher).
If you’re not up for dodging carts at all, shopping Costco.com is a solid backup plan. You can get pretty much everything you need without having to brave the crowds — and even non-members can shop the deals with a 5% surcharge.
Just remember that when you shop Costco online, some prices will be higher than what you’ll see in the warehouse (even if you have a membership).
