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Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is an international airport serving Sacramento, California. SMF (Sacramento International Airport) is located 11 miles northwest of downtown. This is the primary airport for the region and a major hub for several leading airlines. SMF has two modern terminals, over 150 daily flights, and 12 million annual passengers; it is the California Capital Region's strong gateway for air travel.
Airlines and Destinations
Located five miles north of the state Capital, Sacramento International Airport (SMF) receives various airlines providing nonstop service to more than 50 destinations in the U.S. and Mexico. Its primary airline is Southwest Airlines with 54% of passengers. Other major airlines that serve SMF include American, Delta, United, Alaska, and Frontier.
SMF has grown its route network substantially in recent years. This year, it added 18 new nonstop routes, including numerous West Coast and Mountain West destinations (A9-Jan). SMF also launched its first-ever international nonstop flight to Toronto, Canada.
Passengers and Flights
In 2022, over 12 million travelers passed through Sacramento International Airport - putting it close to pre-pandemic levels. On an average day, there are 150 departing flights and a total of about 8,000 per year, which equates to around 2 million passenger departures.
How to Get Here
Driving
SMF is located at I-5 and has excellent signage to direct motorists around the airport. Downtown Sacramento is just a 20-25 minute drive (traffic depending, of course).
Public transportation
Yolobus #42A is a direct service from the airport to downtown Sacramento, stopping at various stations along the way. Passengers need to pay $2.50 per ride with exact change.
Rideshare/taxi
SMF operates Uber and Lyft, while traditional taxi services are also available outside the airport area to facilitate easy commutation.
Sacramento International Airport offers various parking facilities to suit every passenger's needs. Some of the facilities include: a cell phone lot; Economy lot $12/day; daily terminal garage; EV charging; Yolobus charges $2.50 per ride, Uber/Lyft $20-$40 to and from Sacramento downtown, Taxi $35-$50. The terminals of Sacramento International Airport, Terminals A and B, are connected by a free shuttle bus service. Terminal A, with 14 gates, operates mainly using Southwest Airlines. Terminal B, which comprises 19 gates, is mainly used by other airlines such as American, Delta, and United.
Each facility provides a wide range of convenient amenities for passengers, such as food and retail options along with complimentary Wi-Fi.
Navigate the Airport
The layout of the airport is easy to understand with clear directions signposted all along Sacramento Airport. The terminals are designed to provide easy access for passengers, allowing them to quickly find key locations such as gates and security checkpoints.
Getting Between Terminals
At SMF, moving from Terminal A to Terminal B is easy. It has a nice little free shuttle bus that runs non-stop between the two ends with various stops in-between for passengers. The journey on the shuttle is quite short, as it only takes around 2 to 6 minutes, so that passengers with connecting flights or those who want to reach other areas can get into the terminals faster.
Services and Amenities
The following are some of the services and amenities provided by Sacramento International Airport for its passengers to indulge in during their journey:
- Free Wi-Fi access in the terminals
- Wide range of eateries, from mom-and-pop to big-name chains
- Retail shops (news, gifts, specialty stores)
- Business centers with work stations and power refueling
- Nursing rooms and family restrooms
- Pet relief areas
- Currency exchange
- ATMs and banking services
Restaurants and Shops
SMF features numerous dining and shopping options, serving its passengers of all kinds. A selection of airport eateries and stores are:
Restaurants:
- Esquire Grill - fresh, local American cuisine
- Famous Famiglia: Known for by-the-slice pizza and Italian grub
- The Gateway Bar and Restaurant: Cocktails, beer, pub fare
Shops:
- InMotion: For electronics, accessories/vacation essentials
- Hudson: news, books, and convenience
- See's Candies: Legendary California chocolate brand
Security and Customs
Security screening at Sacramento International Airport is a speedy process, with TSA checkpoints provided in Terminal A and Terminal B; travelers should plan to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before their scheduled domestic departure (and two hours prior to international departures) to enable plenty of time to pass through security.
International Arrivals: SMF features a customs and immigration facility in Terminal B for international travelers so passengers can do everything they need to right when they land.
Accessibility
The airport provides various accessibility features and services, including:
- Wheelchair and electric cart assistance
- ADA compliant — reserved ADA parking spaces
- Elevators, ramps, and moving walkways located in all terminals
- Accessible washrooms and breastfeeding rooms
- Hearing aids available upon request
- Service animal relief areas
Travel Tips
Some travel tips for a pleasant Sacramento International Airport experience:
- Always arrive at the airport 90 minutes before a domestic flight and 2 hours prior to international flights for check-in, security & boarding.
- Use your airline website or mobile app for flight status, gate information, and any changes or potential delays.
- Stay connected and productive with the airport's free Wi-Fi.
- Before boarding a plane, learn the layout of the airport and know what services are available in its terminals.
- If you need more budget-friendly long-term parking, try the economy lot or off-airport options.
- Give yourself extra time to complete security screening, particularly during peak travel periods, and have all necessary documents (ID and boarding pass) ready.
- If picking up passengers who are arriving, use the cell phone lot rather than circling the terminals.