Going to the airport without a Real ID or approved alternative such as a passport, you may soon face a steep fee, if you want to fly. The Transportation Security Administration on Monday announced it will begin charging travelers $45 to pass through checkpoints when they show up without a valid identification. The fees are set to launch on Feb. 1, 2026.
This is an increase from the $18 fee the TSA proposed last month. The TSA estimates 94% of passengers already have a Real ID — so this would only affect a small amount of travelers.