Guide to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

Quick insights

Located 11 miles from downtown Sacramento, SMF is a gateway to popular Northern California destinations such as Yosemite, Lake Tahoe and Napa Valley.

While SMF primarily handles domestic flights, you can find direct international routes to Canada and Mexico. However, the airport is undergoing a 20-year expansion plan, which could pave the way for more international destinations in the future.

Whether SMF is your home airport or a stop along your journey, here are a few things to know about the airport, including transportation and parking options, as well as some tips for navigating security checkpoints efficiently.

Navigating to and from SMF

SMF is located at 6900 Airport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95837. The drive from SMF to downtown Sacramento typically takes 20 to 25 minutes via I-5 South, depending on traffic conditions.

When traveling to and from SMF, you have several transportation options, all accessible from the ground level curbs outside either terminal:

SMF parking

SMF offers a variety of parking options, including a covered garage and long-term parking for budget-conscious travelers. Choose from these on-site parking options at SMF:

For current SMF parking lot availabilityOpens overlay, visit the airport’s website or check the construction message boards on the side of the roadways as you enter the airport. Additionally, SMF also offers real-time shuttle trackingOpens overlay on their site.

Airport security at SMF

In Terminal A, the security checkpoint is located on the upper level at the entrance to the departure concourse. In Terminal B, travelers must take the automated people mover on level 3 to Concourse B before clearing security.

TSA wait times typically range from 10 to 30 minutes but could be longer during peak travel times like early mornings, late afternoons, holidays and summer vacation months. 

SMF officials recommend arriving 2.5 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. However, they advise travelers to go by their airline carrier’s recommendation, which some airlines list on their website or mobile app. You may want to consider how long pre-boarding tasks will take when planning your arrival time.

While the public areas of SMF’s terminals are open 24 hours, security checkpoints have specific operating hours. They remain open until the last departing flight of the day. Refer to the SMF website for up-to-date opening timesOpens overlay.

Customs is located on level 2 of Terminal B, with passengers exiting into baggage claim. Wait times may vary for this checkpoint but are typically 25 minutes or less.

How to expedite security screenings

Some Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) can help streamline security and passport screenings at participating airports, including SMF. SMF participates in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and MPC.

TSA PreCheck membership allows eligible travelers to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints, and they typically don’t need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screenings.

Global Entry members can bypass the standard customs line and use a designated kiosk to scan their passport, provide fingerprints and complete a customs declaration. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck benefits.

With MPC—a program with no application process or fee according to Customs and Border Patrol (CBP)—eligible travelers can create a profile and submit their passport and other information upon arrival at SMF through an app. Using the MPC app can streamline the passport screening process at the Customs checkpoint.  

Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees, such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, when the card is used to pay the fee.

SMF map

Explore SMF’s interactive mapOpens overlay to help you navigate the terminals, roadways and parking areas. The map may be helpful for finding your gate, locating airport services or planning your shopping and dining experiences.

SMF terminals

SMF’s two terminals are situated at the north end of the airport, with Terminal B on the west side and Terminal A on the east side. Each terminal features one concourse (Concourse A in Terminal A and Concourse B in Terminal B). The concourses close 30 minutes after the last flight lands.

While the terminals are not directly connected, you can travel between them via pedestrian bridges that link the parking garage to both terminals. Travelers can access the bridge from level 2 in Terminal A or from level 3 in Terminal B. The walk between the terminals is approximately 7 minutes.

In summary

SMF consists of two terminals—Terminal A and Terminal B—each with one concourse. The only way to travel between terminals is to use the pedestrian bridges that connect each terminal to the parking garage. Transportation options at SMF include public buses, rideshare services, on-site rental cars and more.

For parking at SMF, you can choose from the parking garage, Daily Lot and three Economy Lots. However, note that it could take as long as 60 minutes to reach the terminal from the time you park in one of the Economy Lots.

SMF participates in TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and MPC. These programs can help members streamline their security or passport screening at SMF and other participating airports.