How early should I get to Sacramento airport and how much does it cost to park?

More than 6 million Americans are planning to fly during the holiday season, and 1.25 million Californians, according to the American Automobile Association.

That’s only 8% shy of 2019’s pre-pandemic national fly total and 13% of California’s 2019 fly total, according to the AAA Southern California Automobile Club news release.

So whether you’re flying in or out of California, here’s what you need to know about when to get to the airport — and if you’re parking at Sacramento International Airport — here’s what you need to know about costs.

How early should you get to the airport

When traveling within the U.S., Delta Airlines suggest arriving at the airport at least two hours prior to departure. For most airports, you must check in 30 minutes before departure and be at the gate 15 minutes before takeoff.

If you’re traveling internationally, you should arrive at the airport at least four hours before your departure. You must be checked in at least one hour before departure and be ready at the gate to board 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

If you’re flying in or out of Sacramento International Airport, visit the Sacramento County’s Sacramento International Airport page for current information about flight arrival and departure times.

Where to park

Some parking lots may fill to capacity and close, so please plan to arrive early. Visit our website and use the interactive parking lot map which shows real-time availability, according to the Sacramento County Sacramento International Airport page.

Also, download the PassioGO! app for real-time shuttle bus information including when the next shuttle bus will arrive and how many passengers are on the bus.

If you’re being picked up

It takes approximately 25 minutes for a passenger to land, grab their bag and to be ready for pick up, according to a Sacramento International Airport news release.

Drivers should wait in the free waiting area or the cell phone lot to avoid a ticket and save on fuel.

The cell phone lot is a three-minute drive to both terminals A and B and is located near Interstate 5. There’s a three-hour limit and vehicles must be attended at all times, according to the website.

Packing and security tips

Travelers should be prepared for delays, especially between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, according to AAA.

Here’s what you need to know about getting through airport security as seamless as possible, according to Delta Airlines:

• Pack light.
• Leave your pocket knives, scissors or other sharp objects at home. Or place them in your checked baggage if they’re not prohibited or restricted.
• Pack any spare lithium batteries for cameras, cell phones or laptop computers in your carry-on baggage only.
• Be prepared to take off your shoes, belt and remove your phone and other personal electronic device from your pocket.
• Have your I.D. and boarding pass out and ready to be checked.

Parking costs

All of the paid lots available at Sacramento International Airport are designed for passengers to park their car for a couple of days and board their flights. But if you plan to be away longer than three weeks, call 916-874-0825.

The airport offers several options at different price points, so be sure to determine what lot to use based on how long you’ll be away and how far you’re willing to walk. Here are the options:

Hourly parking - Terminal B

$2 per half hour/ maximum of $29 per day

This lot is closest to Terminal B, but it’s designed for short stays. So if you’re parking for more than a few hours, the parking garage or the daily lot are recommended — unless you’re willing to pay to be closer to Terminal B.

Daily parking (parking garage) - Terminal A

Terminal and B $2 per half hour/ maximum of $18 per day

Covered parking for Terminal A and Terminal B is available in the garage. All parking is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

East and West Economy parking lot

$2 per half hour/maximum of $10 per day

The East Economy lot is credit and debit card only. A ticket will not be issued when customers enter. Instead, customers will enter a credit card or debit card when entering the lot and use the same card when exiting the lot. The West Economy parking lot is pre-paid by the license plate.

Therefore, customers have to pay when they park by entering their license plate number at the pay station located inside the bus shelters. Shuttle services arrive in 25-minute to 30-minute intervals but it can take up to one hour from the time you park until the time you arrive at the terminal.

Please note that the East and West Economy parking lots are farthest from the terminals and have no walking paths. Parking reservations are not available.

Where to pay for parking with cash

Cash is not accepted at the parking lot cashier booths in all parking lots at Sacramento International Airport.

Customers who want to pay with cash will have to pay before returning to their car at pay-on-foot kiosks:

• In the parking garage and outside of door 1 at terminal B.
• On level 1 in lobbies C and D and level 3 in lobby C in the parking garage.
• On level 5 in lobby C of the parking garage and outside door 1 at the cross-walk to the hourly lot.

This story was originally published December 21, 2021 at 12:18 PM.