Sacramento International Airport [SMF]: Ultimate Terminal Guide

Key Takeaways

• Sacramento International (SMF) consists of 2 terminals linked by pedestrian bridges.
• SMF has 2 Escape Lounges, each costing $50 at the door. Select credit card holders receive complimentary access.
• The airport features TSA PreCheck lanes, Global Entry kiosks, and Mobile Passport Control lines.

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) served 13.9 million passengers in 2025, and over 50% of those passengers flew with Southwest Airlines. SMF is primarily a domestic airport, with nonstop flights to just 6 international destinations in Mexico and Canada. The airport is in the middle of a 20-year expansion plan that could add destinations such as Tokyo, London, and Frankfurt in the near future.

Quick Info

Airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Terminals: A and B
Airport Address: 6900 Airport Blvd., Sacramento, CA, 95837
Distance From Downtown Sacramento: 11 miles (18 kilometers)
Website: flysmf.gov
Phone Number: 916-929-5411
Annual Passengers: 13.9 million
Flight Information: Departures and arrivals info can be found online.

Airlines Operating From SMF

Terminal A

• Air Canada
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• United Airlines

Terminal B

• Aeromexico
• Alaska Airlines
• Boutique Air
• Contour Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Horizon Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• Volaris

SMF Airport Terminals

SMF has 2 terminals at the airport’s north end. Terminal A and Terminal B are not directly connected, but passengers may walk between the terminals via pedestrian bridges that link both buildings to the terminal garage.

A series of access roads loop around the parking facilities, allowing vehicles to pick up and drop off directly outside the terminals. Parking garages are outside both terminals. The Terminal B parking garage is due to open in fall 2026. The rental car facility is at the south end of the terminal near the east economy parking lot.

Terminal A

Terminal A is on the east side of the airport and spans 2 levels. The lower level is outside the secure area and has airline ticketing desks on the east side and baggage claim on the west side. After clearing security on the upper level, passengers may proceed to the departure concourse, which offers several shops and restaurants.

Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines operate from Concourse A’s 13 gates, A1 to A5 and A10 to A17. An Escape Lounge is near gate A10, and a pet relief area is near the entrance to gates A1 to A5.

Terminal B

Terminal B is on the airport’s west side and serves domestic and international flights. The terminal has 3 levels, with baggage claim and ground transportation on level 1, ticketing on level 2, and access to the parking garage from level 3.

To reach the departures area, passengers must ride the automated people mover (on level 3) to Concourse B and clear security. Concourse B has 19 gates, numbered B4 to B12 and B14 to B23.

The concourse has a variety of shops and restaurants, and an Escape Lounge is immediately after the security checkpoint on the left.

Interterminal Transport

Walking

Passengers can easily connect between terminals by walking across the bridges that span the terminal parking garage. The map above shows the walking route, which takes about 7 minutes. From Terminal A, the sky bridge is accessible from level 2, and from Terminal B, it’s accessible from level 3.

Terminal Shuttle

The daily parking shuttle runs between terminals A and B every 10 minutes and is free. Shuttles operate from the transportation curbs outside of both terminals. See when the next shuttle is due with the airport’s live shuttle tracker.

Automated People Mover

The Automated People Mover, or APM, transports passengers between Terminal B and Concourse B. The station is on level 3 of the terminal, and the journey takes less than 2 minutes.

Security and Customs at SMF

SMF has security checkpoints in terminals A and B, and both open at 4 a.m. until the last flight departure.

TSA PreCheck

There are dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoints open during peak hours.

TSA PreCheck enrollment is through CLEAR+, available at both security checkpoints. At Terminal A, the CLEAR+ kiosks are in front of the security checkpoint, and in Terminal B, they are on the right side of the automated people mover entrance. Enrollment is available Sunday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Global Entry

SMF participates in Global Entry and has kiosks for passengers who have been approved for the program.

There’s no Global Entry enrollment center at SMF. The closest is at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Sacramento International Airport participates in Enrollment on Arrival at Terminal B international arrivals.

Mobile Passport

SMF has dedicated Mobile Passport Control lines for eligible participants to complete their arrival information via the app.

SMF Airport Lounges

SMF has 2 Escape Lounges located at:

• Concourse A, near gate A10: open Saturday through Wednesday from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Concourse B, immediately after the security checkpoint on the left side: open Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Passengers may purchase lounge access for $50 at the door or $45 when booked online at least 24 hours in advance. Cardholders of the Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, or the Centurion^® Card from American Express receive complimentary access to the lounge.

Hot Tip:

These are credit cards with airport lounge access, so you can avoid paying for a lounge day pass at the airport.

Dining and Drinks at SMF

SMF features more than 20 restaurants, cafés, and fast-food places where passengers can grab a bite before their flight. A few are before security for early arrivals, while the majority are within the secure area.

SMF Wi-Fi and Charging Points

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals, concourses, the rental car facility, and the cell phone waiting lot. To connect, select “FlySacramento” from the available connections.

SMF Airport Lost and Found

If you lose an item inside the terminals or while traveling on an airport shuttle bus, contact the lost and found office at 916-874-0701. The office is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is between terminals A and B.

If you lose an item at a security checkpoint, contact TSA at 916-830-0227 or email smf.lost@tsa.dhs.gov.

If you lose an item on board an aircraft, contact the relevant airline.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services

Airport volunteers staff information kiosks at both terminals, and passengers may also call 916-929-5411 for paging services.

Baby Facilities

SMF has 2 nursing rooms adjacent to the restrooms on the left after security in both concourses.

Children’s Play Area

There are no children’s play areas at SMF.

Hot Tip:

Plan ahead for your family vacation by reading our study on the most kid-friendly U.S. airports.

Traveling With a Pet

SMF has 4 pet relief areas:

• Terminal A, outside the east end of the terminal
• Terminal A, near gate A1
• Terminal B, outside the west side of the terminal
• Terminal B, near gate B11

The airport also aims to reduce passenger stress by offering therapy dogs through the Boarding Area Relaxation Corps (B.A.R.C.) program, which is a partnership between the airport and the Sacramento nonprofit Lend a Heart, Lend a Hand.

Smoking Areas

Smoking is permitted at least 25 feet from any doorway leading to an airport building.

Money

ATMs are at:

• Terminal A, in the baggage claim
• Concourse A, to the right after security
• Terminal B, on levels 1 and 3
• Concourse B, near gates B11, B15, B19, and B21,

Luggage Storage

There are no luggage storage facilities at SMF.

Important SMF Phone Numbers

Customer service: 916-929-5411

Parking services: 916-874-0825

Lost and found: 916-874-0701

Travel to and From SMF

Transportation

Bus

• Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT): Route 142 is an express service that operates daily between SMF and downtown Sacramento, every 20 to 30 minutes.
• Yolobus: Routes 42A and 42B serve downtown Sacramento, West Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, and SMF

Public buses depart from the center island outside Terminal A and from the Terminal B west commercial curb.

Shuttles

Shared and private shuttles are available to book through SuperShuttle Express. Shuttles depart from the ground transportation area northwest of Terminal A and from the Terminal B west commercial curb.

Taxi

On-demand taxis or taxis booked with the Sacramento Independent Taxi Owners Association are available outside both terminals. Taxi ranks are at the ground transportation area northwest of Terminal A and from the Terminal B east commercial curb.

A round-trip between SMF and downtown Sacramento costs $70. Seniors and military personnel receive a 20% discount.

Ride-Hailing

Ride-hailing services Uber, Lyft, and Wingz are authorized to operate from SMF. Vehicles may drop off curbside and pick up from the ground transportation area northwest of Terminal A and from the Terminal B east commercial curb.

Directions by Car to SMF

Arriving From Downtown Sacramento

Take I-5 N to exit 528. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Airport/Garden Highway, and merge onto Airport Boulevard to access the terminals.

Arriving From Downtown San Francisco

Take I-80 E and continue for around 67 miles (toll road). Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 70 for CA-113 N towards Woodland, and continue on to CA-113 N. Take exit 37 for Main St. toward Downtown/Woodland, and turn right after Carl’s Jr. (on the right). Slight right to merge onto I-5 S toward Sacramento. Take exit 528 toward Sac Int’l Airport and then turn left onto Airport Boulevard to access the terminals.

SMF Airport Parking Information

Terminal Garages 

The terminal garages are adjacent to the terminal buildings and connected by pedestrian bridges. The Terminal B garage is scheduled to open in fall 2026, adding 5,500 parking spaces. Electric charging is available on every level near the elevators.

To reach Terminal A from the Terminal A garage, take the bridge from level 3, and to reach Terminal B, take the bridge from level 5. Parking fees are $2 per 30 minutes up to a daily maximum of $21.

Daily Lot

The daily lot, located south of the Terminal 1 garage, offers uncovered parking. A shuttle bus transports passengers to and from the airport every 15 to 20 minutes. Parking fees are $2 per 30 minutes up to a daily maximum of $14.

Economy Parking Lots

The economy parking lots provide the cheapest parking at SMF. The east economy lot is just beyond the daily lot, the south economy lot is off W. Elkhorn Boulevard, and the west economy lot is off Crossfield Drive.

Shuttle buses transport passengers between the parking lots and the terminals, operating every 25 to 30 minutes. Parking fees are $2 per 30 minutes up to a daily maximum of $12.

Pickup and Drop-Off Parking

SMF has a free waiting area near the south economy parking lot. Instead of circling the airport, visitors may wait here until they receive a pickup call. Visitors must always stay with their vehicles and may wait up to 3 hours.

Hotel and Parking Packages

If you need to stay overnight at the airport before or after your trip, you can book a package deal with accommodation and parking.

Hotel and parking packages can be booked with airportparkingreservations.com, and you could save money compared to booking parking at the airport plus a separate hotel.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

Accessible parking spaces are in all airport parking lots, and airport parking shuttle buses are equipped with lifts for wheelchair access.

Parking Contact Number

General inquiries: 916-874-0825

Car Rental at SMF Airport

The rental car center is south of the terminal, and passengers must take the courtesy shuttle bus departing from outside both terminals. Shuttles operate every 10 minutes, and customers renting from off-airport rental agencies are picked up from the rental car center.

The following rental companies are available on airport property:

• Alamo: 800-327-9633
• Avis: 916-922-5601
• Budget: 800-763-2999
• Dollar: 866-434-2226
• Enterprise: 800-736-8227
• Hertz: 800-654-3131
• National: 800-227-7366
• Payless: 916-441-4488
• Thrifty: 916-285-0648
• Zipcar: 866-494-7227

The following rental companies are available off airport property:

• Airport Van Rental: 916-913-8133

Hot Tip:

Register for a credit card that includes rental insurance as a benefit to avoid paying the rental company’s expensive insurance fees.

SMF Airport Hotels

Accommodations are about 4 miles from the airport, and many hotels offer complimentary shuttle buses.

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

The Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Airport-Natomas offers a comfortable stay for those looking to stay close to SMF. The hotel amenities include a complimentary hot breakfast each morning, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Award nights start at 38,000 Hilton Honors points per night, depending on the day of the week and seasonal demand.

Close to the airport, the Golden 1 Center, and the Sacramento Zoo, the Four Points by Sheraton is located well for a visit to Sacramento. The hotel offers guests an outdoor pool and whirlpool, a fitness center, a complimentary airport shuttle, and a restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. Award nights start at 28,000 points per night.

Just 10 minutes from SMF via a free 24-hour-a-day shuttle, the Hilton Garden Inn is stellar for travelers. Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, restaurant, fitness center, free parking, and a dining credit for Hilton Honors members with Gold status or above. Award nights cost around 43,000 points.

Hot Tip:

If you want to top off your points to stay at any of these hotels, see our guides on the best ways to earn more Hilton Honors points or Marriott Bonvoy points.

Final Thoughts

Sacramento International Airport ranked eighth in our study of the top 10 airports in the U.S. based on overall passenger satisfaction, average delay and cancellation times, public transit, lounge access, and Wi-Fi. Passengers love the airport’s canine therapy program, where dogs roam the boarding areas, creating a calming environment for nervous flyers.

In 2026, SMF continues major upgrades, including a new parking garage and an elevated pedestrian bridge linking Terminal B to Concourse B. The project also supports the expansion of Concourse B with additional gates, improving capacity, accessibility, and overall passenger flow.