Parking at Sacramento airport? How early should you arrive? Your Thanksgiving flight guide
As holiday travelers gear up for takeoff, Sacramento International Airport is “all-hands on deck” for the busy season.
Here’s what you should know before heading to the airport:
When are the busiest days at the airport?
The Transportation Security Administration anticipates the busiest days of travel to be the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and Sunday, Dec. 1. TSA is projected to screen 18.3 million passengers from Tuesday, Nov. 26 to Monday, Dec. 2, nationwide.
As for SMF, while the days will certainly be busier, “we’re really not projecting a real spike,” said Scott Johnston, an airport spokesman. “It’s just going to be really steady.”
Johnston said this is the “new norm” for the airport, which was named the top in the country by The Wall Street Journal just two years ago.
It’s been seeing “record-breaking days and months pretty much all the time now.”
Sacramento was recently named one of the “Best Places to Travel in 2025” by New York-based magazine Travel & Leisure — thanks in no small part to the expected upgrades as the airport undergoes renovations.
When should I get to the airport?
Holiday travel is also coinciding with construction at the Sacramento airport. The airport is building a new parking garage near Terminal B, which will add up to 5,500 parking spaces.
The hourly lot, which was west of Terminal B, is closed permanently as crews build the new garage, expected to be complete in late 2026.
With construction in full swing, officials said to plan for extra time to account for traffic.
Johnston emphasized that travelers should arrive 2.5 hours before takeoff for domestic flights, given the increased traffic and congestion. For international travelers, Johnston said to make it 3 hours or 3.5 hours.
“The one key thing that we try to tell everybody is, if you allow enough time, you’ll be fine,” Johnston previously told The Bee.
Where can I park at Sacramento International Airport?
Airport parking is expected to fill up fast, so plan ahead, airport officials said.
The airport’s parking website is regularly updated with the number of available parking spots in each lot. Johnston said travelers should check it regularly, as parking conditions can shift in a flash.
“The parking situation is a little tricky right now,” Johnston said last week. “We’ll always have a place for you to park, but the parking space that you may be used to parking in may not be available this time.”
Johnston anticipates that the economy lots are going to be the only available lots. The entrances for the economy lots are located on Crossfield Drive, off of Airport Boulevard, well before you reach the airport terminals and parking garages.
How much does it cost to park?
The daily lots cost $13 per day and the economy lot is $11.
Shuttle services from the rental car terminal, the daily lots and economy lots to the airport are provided in roughly 15 to 20 minute intervals.
It can take up to 60 minutes to get from economy to the terminal, according to the county website.
How should I get to the Sacramento airport?
Johnston said passengers should find ways to get to the airport without having to park. That will “save you a lot of stress and a lot of time,” he said Friday.
Rideshare apps, like Uber and Lyft, could save time and costs. For example, with Uber Reserve, travelers can request a ride up to 90 days ahead of time.
But in terms of pricing, it can be a gamble as rideshare services often add surcharges during busy times.
Where do I go to pick a passenger up?
Those picking up visiting family and friends at the airport should head to the waiting area first. During peak times, travelers can take 30 to 35 minutes to get off the plane, retrieve bags and reach the pickup area.
The airport moved its free waiting area, or cell phone lot, to just off Airport Blvd. near the gas station.
Drivers should exit Airport Boulevard toward the gas station and look for the lot on the right. The former waiting area has become the west economy lot off Crossfield Drive, The Bee previously reported.
“If you get there early, then you’re going to have to keep doing loops, which causes traffic and burns gas,” Johnston said. “So the free waiting area is a good resource.”
What will security checks look like?
Sacramento airport offers TSA PreCheck and CLEAR for travelers who want to get through long security lines faster.
Sacramento International Airport offers TSA PreCheck enrollment at Terminal A, terminal B and Terminal B baggage claim. You can also pre-enroll online at www.tsa.gov/precheck.
Passengers can also opt in for CLEAR, a platform that uses biometric data to speed up the screening process, in Terminal A and Terminal B.
Do I need a Real ID to fly domestically?
Not yet, but you will soon. The deadline to get your Real ID is May 7, 2025. After that, you’ll need either a passport or the Real ID to fly.
What not to bring to the airport
Johnston advised travelers to skip putting gift wrap on their presents, because it can make screening difficult. TSA.gov also has specifics on what items travelers can and cannot bring.
Liquids or gels — anything that can spill, spray, spread, pump, or pour — must be 3.4 ounces or less in your carry-on, TSA said.
That includes food items, like gravy, cranberry sauce, wine, jam and preserves. Anything more than 3.4 ounces should go in your checked bag.
This story was originally published November 26, 2024 at 5:00 AM.