Sacramento International Airport (SMF) recorded more than 1 million passengers in July 2022, making it the second busiest month in SMF history. July figures from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) showed 1,195,870 passengers passed through the Airport, nearly reaching SMF’s busiest month in history - July 2019 saw 1,230,600 passengers.
The Airport will continue to be busy as the holiday travel season approaches. Travelers visiting SMF over Labor Day weekend - one of the busiest travel holiday weekends of the year – are encouraged to arrive early, anticipate delays and be prepared by
checking parking lot status on our website.
To ensure a smooth experience, all travelers are encouraged to be prepared by staying on top of communication from their airlines and ensuring they pack their patience when arriving at SMF. Here are a few additional tips for travelers heading out this weekend:
When to arrive at the airport
One of the best ways to save time before a flight is to make plans to arrive ahead of time. SMF recommends that travelers arrive at least 2.5 hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight.
Parking at SMF
During holiday travel, parking lots at SMF can get a little tight. Due to construction, the Airport has temporarily closed a portion of the East Economy Lot, so please allow enough time to park in one of the lots the airport will open if needed and catch a shuttle to the terminals.
Travelers are strongly advised to consider getting dropped off by friends/family, taking public transportation, or using a taxi or app-based ride-sharing.
Use the PassioGo App to track shuttle bus status
For travelers parking in either the Daily or Economy Lots you can track the status of your shuttle by downloading the PassioGo app on your smartphone.
- Public Transportation: Sacramento Regional Transit District’s route 142 runs express service between the airport and downtown seven days a week. YoloBus also offers daily routes throughout the region.
- App-Based Ride-Sharing: Lyft, Uber and Wingz all service SMF and have designated areas for pickup at both terminals
- Taxis: Taxi service is provided by the Sacramento Independent Taxi Owners Association. Travelers can make reservations by calling 916-444-0008. Taxis can be found outside of baggage claims at both terminals.
SMF’s current parking rates
- Hourly: The hourly lot near Terminal B is $2 per ½ hour with a maximum of $29/day.
- Daily: The daily lot is conveniently located for both terminals and is $2 per ½ hour with a maximum of $18/day.
- East Economy: The economy lot is $10/day. Shuttles run every 25 – 30 minutes, but travelers should be prepared that it could take 60 minutes from the time you park till they get to the terminal. There is no walking path.
- West Economy: This economy option, also known as the “Overflow Lot,” is $10/day. Travelers will need to pay when they park by entering their license plate number at the pay station (located inside the bus shelters) and providing electronic payment. Shuttle service is provided at 25-30 minute intervals. It can take 60 minutes from the time they park until they arrive at the terminal.
- Cash is not accepted at parking lot cashier booths. If travelers must pay with cash, they must pay at a self-service kiosk, which are found in the garages and some terminal lobbies, before getting in their car.
Another insider tip: There are check-in kiosks throughout the terminal before security, not just near the airline counters, so travelers can avoid the crowds at the main desks.
Want to get through security faster?
SMF’s TSA Pre✓ enrollment center is open. The TSA Pre✓ expedited screening process for travelers reduces the time spent waiting in the security line. If travelers pre-enroll on the Pre✓ website, they can go through the entire process at SMF in five minutes or less. The application center is located in the baggage claim area in the southeast corner of Level 1 of Terminal B. Hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Walk-in customers are accepted and will be accommodated around scheduled appointments. SMF has expedited lanes for CLEAR subscribers that speed up the identification process in the security line. CLEAR uses your eyes to confirm your identity, moving you faster through the line. Still, it has an annual membership fee and you need to be subscribed before getting to SMF.
