When you are traveling to and from Sacramento International Airport, it is a good idea to know about the airport and the amenities it offers. Whether it’s your holiday or a business trip, having general information and tips, especially when traveling alone or with a companion, can actually save you from experiencing troubled moments.
Our airport guide gives you all the essential insights that you, as a traveler, can make use of while journeying across places in any part of the globe.
- Brief Overview of Sacramento International Airport in California, USA
- About Airport’s Terminals
- Parking Options at Sacramento International Airport
- Airlines Operating at Sacramento International Airport
- Facilities and Services Available at Sacramento International Airport
- Hotels On-site and Nearby Sacramento International Airport
- Ground Transportation Options Available at Sacramento International Airport
- Conclusion
Brief Overview of Sacramento International Airport in California, USA
Situated at a distance of 16 km (10 miles) northwest of downtown Sacramento Capital City in the U.S. state of California, lies Sacramento International Airport. The airport is operated by the Sacramento County Airport System.
Sacramento International Airport is a major gateway to places, like the State Capitol of California, Old Sacramento and tunnels, Foresthill Bridge, Sacramento Bypass Wildlife Area, Hawver Cave with a lake inside the cave (which is 80 feet deep), and Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. It also serves Northern California getaways, which include Yosemite National Park, the Napa Wine Country, Lake Tahoe, and Heavenly Mountain Resort (a ski resort).
IATA: SMF
Address:
Sacramento International Airport
6900 Airport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95837
USA
Airport Contact: +1 (916) 929.5411
Website: https://sacramento.aero/smf
Operation Hours: Sacramento International Airport is open 24 hours. However, certain shops, food concessions, on-site accommodations, and public and private transport services may not offer services throughout the day and night. Also, services like airline check-in and baggage drop hours may vary with the flight schedule. Therefore, it is advised that you check with the airport.
About Airport’s Terminals
Sacramento International Airport has two terminals, Terminal A (new) and Terminal B (old), having a total of 32 gates. Terminal A consists of 13 gates, whereas Terminal B consists of 19 gates. Both terminals are connected with an inter-terminal shuttle service called SuperShuttle.
Travelers can easily find various amenities, such as information desks, lounges, ATMs, conference rooms for business travelers, newsagents, courtesy telephones, restaurants, restrooms, facilities for handicapped passengers, retail shopping outlets, ticket counters, baggage claim, and locker facilities, gift shops, transportation, car park and more at the airport.
Parking Options at Sacramento International Airport
Sacramento International Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options to travelers. Parking is available between Terminals A and B. One can choose from on-site parking options, off-site car parks, and garages that are located in the nearest proximity to the airport. These consist of a Parking Garage, Daily Lot, Hourly B Parking, an Economy Parking lot, and also a free waiting area.
Sacramento International Airport categorized its parking into short-term parking and long-term parking where you can park your car on an hourly basis and for the long term, you can park for 24hr or more. Here we discuss the different Parking lots and their parking charges.
- Hourly
- Daily
- Economy
Hourly parking:- This parking lot is nearby Terminal B so the passengers can get easy access to the terminal. So you can say the best parking if you count the convenience. Shuttle service is not available from this parking lot. In this parking, you have to pay $2 per 30 minutes. This amount is charged for each 30 minutes until 5 hours is complete. From 5 hours to 24 hours, the maximum charge is around $29 per day. If Passengers want to park their vehicle for more hours then they can park their car in a parking garage or daily lot which is suitable for long-term stay and their charges are approx $18 per day and $12 per day respectively. Cash payment is not accepted for this parking you have to pay through your cards or if want to pay in cash then you have to pay through a kiosk machine in advance outside Terminal B.
Daily Parking:- The parking Garage and Daily lot are suitable for the Long term. Both taking has a covered area parking where your car is parked safely from direct sunlight and rain. If you park for a few hours then you have to pay the same as hourly parking which is $2/30 Min. And if you park for a day and more than that then you have to pay only $18/day. Advance parking is not available here you have to get your parking space on a first come first serve basis. You have to pay your parking charges through payment cards. Daily parking is also easily accessible to the passenger at Terminal A and Terminal B because there is a pedestrian bridge from the 3rd floor if you want to go to Terminal A and if you want to go to Terminal B then through the 5th Floor pedestrian bridge is available.
A daily lot for parking is also available for the long-term from here shuttle service is available for dropoff frequently at each 15-minute to 20 minutes intervals. The daily lot is cheaper than the parking garage where you have to pay only $12 for one day or 24 hours.
Economy Lot:- The economy lot is also divided into 2 parts where an East economy lot and a West economy lot are available. Whereas the East parking lot is available at the cheapest rate where you have to pay only $10 per day. Shuttle service is available from the East parking lot at each 25-30 minutes interval. It may take 60 min from the time you park and arrive at the terminal. In this parking lot, you have to pay by card while the west parking lot is pre-paid by the license plate. Both parking lots are the farthest lot from the terminal.
Electrical vehicle (EV) charging stations are also at the airport parking area available in the parking garage, the Daily Lot, and the Free Waiting Area.
Valet Parking:
A Valet Parking service is also available at the airport. You also receive complimentary services, such as window cleaning and interior vacuuming, and luggage assistance.
Note* All passengers should remove all valuable items from their vehicle and lock their vehicle before heading to the terminal.
Airlines Operating at Sacramento International Airport
Sacramento International Airport serves a few domestic, international, government, and cargo airlines. Airlines that operate short and long-distance flights to and from the airport’s Terminal A include:
Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.
Airlines that operate flights to and from the airport’s Terminal B include:
Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, Boutique Airlines, Contour Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Sun Country, and Volaris.
Facilities and Services Available at Sacramento International Airport
Sacramento International Airport in California offers various amenities to passengers to make their traveling experience worthwhile. The airport also offers a range of duty-free stores, food and beverage outlets, Wi-Fi and internet access, business services, and more.
Security Check-points
There are security checkpoints at the airport’s terminals. All passengers are required to pass through the security checkpoints.
Help Desk
When you are at the Sacramento International airport and need help, there are information desks to assist you. Here, you can inquire about your flight or find other facilities easily at the airport. They are open 24 hours and can be found at the airside and landside of Terminals A and B. There are also volunteers available that offer assistance to passengers.
Wi-Fi and Mobile Charging Points
Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the terminals at the airport, in case you want to connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access the internet. Wi-Fi internet service at the airport is offered by AT&T. Internet kiosks are also available.
In addition to Wi-Fi internet access, mobile and laptop charging power outlets are also available at the airport, in case you need to charge your laptop and/or phone’s battery. These can be found at the landside and airside of Terminals A and B, and under the seats as well.
Baggage Handling and Storage
Luggage Lockers:
Lockers and luggage storage facilities are not available at the airport.
Luggage Wrapping:
Luggage wrapping services are not available at the airport.
Luggage Trolleys/Carts:
Luggage carts are available at the airport. A $5 fee per card is charged. These can be found in the Baggage Claim area, near terminal entrance doors and parking garage.
Porter Services:
Porter’s services are not available at the airport.
There is a Baggage Claim facility available at the airport.
Make sure to check with your respective airline as to what carry-on items (and their size) are allowed.
Lounge and Business Conference Centre
At Sacramento International Airport, passengers can use public lounges, VIP lounges, and business conference rooms, which may be available for free or paid in order to access these facilities.
A few lounges and business conference rooms that are available at the airport are:
Escape Lounge:
The lounge is located on the airside of Terminal A, next to Gate 10, and the airside of Terminal B, turn left just after security. Access to the lounge is via paying at the door.
Stores and Duty-Free Shopping
There are plenty of shops that can be easily found throughout the airport’s terminals and concourses. These shops sell a wide range of items, from children’s toys to fashion accessories for adults. You may also buy books, magazines, newspapers, etc. to help pass time during your stopover or flight delay.
Duty-Free stores are also available at the airport that sells all kinds of merchandise, including souvenirs. These are located throughout Terminal A and Terminal B.
Cafes, Bar, and Restaurants
Finding snack and beverage options should not be a problem as there are many local and popular nationwide food chains at Sacramento International Airport. These cafeterias and restaurants are located throughout the terminals and concourses, giving you the best options to eat and satisfy your pre-flight craving.
Food concessions have been operated throughout the airport with varying schedules. A wide variety of dining options are also available and can be found at both the landside and airside sections of Terminal A and Terminal B.
Other Amenities Available at Sacramento International Airport
There are other amenities that are available to passengers at the airport. These include:
Baby Care Facilities:
There is a baby care room available in the room. Parents and guardians traveling with infants can use the facility for breastfeeding, changing diapers, etc. It is located in the airside of Terminal A, near Gate A10, and Terminal B, near Gate B15.
Massage Bar:
There is a Massage Bar with massage chairs at the airport. Passengers can relieve stress and get a foot massage service for a duration of 10, 15, and 30 minutes. It is located in the airside of Terminal B. It opens from 8 am to 9 pm (Sunday to Friday) and from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays.
ATM:
ATMs are available at the airport. You can swipe your bank card and withdraw cash at the airport’s ATMs if you’re running low on cash or need to make cash payments at other services or stores. A $3 fee is charged to non-customers of Bank of America. You can find ATMs located at the airside and landside areas of Terminal A and Terminal B.
Currency Exchange Counter:
The currency used in Sacramento is the United States Dollar (USD). Currency exchange counters are not available at the airport. However, there is a branch of Travelex foreign currency exchange at Westamerica Bank in Sacramento city.
Banking Services:
Banking facilities are available at the airport.
Hotels On-site and Nearby Sacramento International Airport
Finding accommodations on-site or nearby Sacramento International Airport should not be a problem for travelers as there are several hotels and resorts out there. Whether you are traveling alone, with friends, family, or children, you will find convenient and affordable places for a comfortable stay during your visit to Sacramento in California, USA.
A few hotels that are located on-site as well as near the airport are:
Four Points by Sheraton Sacramento International Airport:
The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. There is a 24-hour free airport shuttle available to guests.
Homewood Suites by Hilton Sacramento Airport Natomas:
The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. It also offers a 24-hour free airport shuttle to guests.
Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Airport-Natomas:
The hotel is located about 5 minutes from the airport. It offers a free airport shuttle to guests.
Ground Transportation Options Available at Sacramento International Airport
Getting to and from Sacramento International Airport should not be much of a hassle as you will find transport options. You can quickly find a convenient mode of transportation to meet your travel needs. There are several ground transportation options available to travelers that make visiting nearby places and other places of interest very convenient, quick, and affordable.
Many travelers often find shuttle services to be very favorable as it saves them plenty of time when getting to hotels and/or airports. Free shuttle buses provide travelers with easy connectivity. Also, there may be a few hotels in the city and adjoining areas that provide free or on-demand shuttle services to and from the airport.
Additionally, you may also book pre-arranged rides that offer services to and from the Sacramento International airport, which can also be scheduled as per your needs. You can usually find their kiosks or counters/stands located either at the terminal’s entrance or exit area. These may also contain information on the companies that are permitted to render such services at the airport.
Airport Shuttle Service
SuperShuttle is an inter-terminal shuttle service available to passengers at the airport. It offers on-demand and door-to-door shared-ride services between the airport and Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, Placer, San Joaquin, Yuba, Butte, Solano, Sutter, and Nevada counties. Shuttles can be found in the ground transportation areas of airport terminals. Reservations are, however, recommended.
Hotel Shuttle Service
Few hotels in Sacramento city may offer free or paid shuttle services to and from Sacramento International Airport. Some hotels include Courtyard Sacramento Airport Natomas, Fairfield Inn & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas, Four Points by Sheraton Sacramento International Airport, Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Airport-Natomas, Hampton Inn & Suites Woodland, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Sacramento, Hilton Garden Inn Sacramento/South Natomas, and Holiday Inn Express Sacramento Airport Natomas.
Bus Service
A public bus transportation service is available for the commute. It is both affordable and convenient and can get you to places in no time. Yolana Bus Nos. 42A and 42B, and the Sacramento Regional Transit bus Express No. 142 operate to and from the airport and other parts of the city, including West Sacramento and Davis.
Train and Metro Services
There is no train or metro service available to and from the airport.
Taxi Service
Taxis are available, if you need a ride to a hotel or want to go sightseeing. These are metered taxis and reservation is not required. Taxi stands can be found at the curbside, in the airport’s ground transport area.
Car Hire/Rental Service
You can hire a car at Sacramento International Airport if you are in the mood to cruise around places in the city. There are several companies that offer cars on hire/rent at the airport. The car hire/rental agencies or companies have their counters/stands located on-site.
The companies or agencies that offer car hire/rental services at the airport include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, E-Z Rent a Car, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty, and Zipcar.
Ride-Sharing Service
Aside from several transport options that are available to travelers from and to Sacramento International Airport, ride-sharing services are also offered by Lyft and Uber.
Conclusion
Sacramento, the capital city of the U.S. state of California, is also a popular tourist destination that has visitors flocking from different parts of the world. There is an art museum at the airport that exhibits the creative works of artists. Also, there are several places of attractions to explore in this Spanish settlement.
Traveling to and from Sacramento International Airport in California, USA, will certainly give you a pleasant experience. And, if you plan on staying here for a while, you will find lots of attractions to enjoy your holidays.
