Sacramento International Airport

Airport Airport

IATA Code
SMF
ICAO Code
KSMF
Airport Type
Large Airport
Class
International

Single-terminal layout with two concourses (A and B) connected airside. Sacramento International serves as a regional airport for Northern California with several million passengers annually (around 10-13 million pre-pandemic levels). Southwest and Alaska are among the largest carriers by operations; American, Delta and United also operate multiple daily flights.

The airport has a central landside building with ticketing, baggage claim and ground transport; airside passengers move into two concourses that handle domestic and limited international services.

Sacramento International Airport
Elevation: 8 m
38.6954, -121.5910

Terminal Guide for Sacramento International Airport #

The main terminal building at Sacramento International consolidates ticketing, security and baggage claim in one central facility with two airside concourses (A and B). Airlines are spread across the concourses rather than being grouped by a single carrier; most major U.S. carriers operate from the central terminal and use gates in one of the two concourses. Facilities include ticket counters, car rental desks and TSA security screening in the landside terminal, with shops and eateries beyond security in both concourses.

Because the concourses are connected airside, transferring passengers can walk between them without passing through security again; ground transport and parking are concentrated at the central landside curb with shuttle links from economy lots.

Getting to and From Sacramento International Airport #

Main ground options are taxi/rideshare, airport shuttles, private car and public bus; downtown Sacramento is about 12-16 miles (20-30 minutes) by car depending on traffic.

  • Taxis / rideshare: Taxi and rideshare pickup is available at the arrivals curb; typical downtown trip is about 20-30 minutes and fares vary by service (expect $35-$60 depending on time and traffic).
  • Airport shuttles / hotel shuttles: Many airport-area hotels provide free shuttle service; check your hotel for hours and pickup locations at the terminal curb.
  • Public bus: Regional public buses (Yolobus and other operators) serve routes to Sacramento and nearby cities; travel times are longer than a taxi and depend on route and stops.
  • Driving / rental car: The airport has an on-site rental car facility and multiple parking options (hourly, daily, economy with shuttle). Driving to downtown is typically around 20-30 minutes.

Facilities, Shopping, and Dining at Sacramento International Airport #

SMF offers standard U.S. airport facilities: food and shopping both landside and airside, airline lounges, free Wi‑Fi, charging points and accessible services.

  • Lounges: Major carriers operate lounges or contracted partner lounges; lounge access depends on carrier status or paid entry.
  • Food & drink: A mix of sit-down restaurants and grab‑and‑go outlets is available landside and in both concourses; B concourse generally has newer options.
  • Wi‑Fi & charging: Free Wi‑Fi is provided; charging points and USB outlets are available at gates and seating areas.
  • Luggage & showers: There is no wide public left‑luggage network or public shower complex - check with airlines or airport information for specific services.
  • Accessibility: The terminal is accessible with elevators, ramps and dedicated parking; ask airport staff for assistance if needed.

Hotels and Layovers at Sacramento International Airport #

Most airport hotels are a short drive away and offer free airport shuttles; downtown Sacramento has many more choices if you prefer a wider selection.

  • Marriott / Sheraton / Hyatt / Hilton properties - multiple nearby options within 10-20 minutes by car; check the parent chain sites for properties and shuttle details: marriott.com, hyatt.com, hilton.com.

For long layovers, look for airport-area hotels that advertise a free shuttle or a day‑use room; downtown hotels are 15-25 minutes away by taxi/rideshare if you prefer more restaurants and nightlife.

Tips for Sacramento International Airport #

  • TSA PreCheck & CLEAR: SMF participates in TSA PreCheck; if you have PreCheck the shorter lanes are usually in the morning-look for the dedicated lane signs on arrival to security.
  • Concourses are connected airside: If you have a connecting flight at SMF you can walk between Concourses A and B without re-clearing security - give yourself 10-20 minutes to move between gates.
  • Economy parking shuttle: If using the economy lot expect a 5-10 minute shuttle ride to the terminal; allow extra time during peak travel periods.
  • Food choices vary by concourse: More full-service and newer options are on Concourse B; budget options and grab-and-go are available landside before security.

Weather & Climate near Sacramento International Airport #

Climate

Sacramento International Airport's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 3°C to 34°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 44 Good
Best Time to Visit
JuneJulyAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
47°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 97 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.7h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
16°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

80 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.

90 Ideal

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
22°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
13.1h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

94 Ideal

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
11° 27°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
14.1h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
14° 31°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
14.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 34°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
15° 34°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
14.4h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 33°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
14° 33°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
13° 31°
45%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

9 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
Very High
12.3h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 10°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

93 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
10° 26°
50%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

28 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
11.1h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).

73 Very Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
18°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Low
10.0h daylight

December

December is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

Nearby Cities #