Sacramento Airport Parking Fees: Everything You Need to Know

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You may frequent the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), but no matter how much you prepare, airport travel can still leave you feeling overwhelmed, especially at bigger international airports like SMF. 

The chaos of the security line can make anyone’s head spin, but the stress doesn’t start there. Before you even get inside the building, you’ll have to deal with the stress of finding a parking spot.

While parking is just a small part of airport travel, knowing what to expect with SMF parking rates can quickly alleviate some of that pre-travel stress. 

Courtesy of Yountville

Short-Term Parking

Short-term parking at Sacramento International Airport is ideal if you’re only staying for a few hours (or a few minutes). There are two short-term options to choose from: the parking garage and the daily lot, which are available for both terminals A and B.

LotHourly Parking RateDaily Maximum Rate
Parking Garage$2.00 per 30 minutes$19.00
Daily Lot$2.00 per 30 minutes$13.00

Both the parking garage and daily lot charge by half-hour intervals, which is ideal for short stays. This option is perfect for quick drop-offs or pick-ups, ensuring you’re not paying for more time than you need. But if you end up staying longer than you thought, the daily maximums are $19.00 and $13.00.

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Long-Term Parking

Travelers needing to park for an extended period can find long-term parking at Sacramento Airport, including economy lots, the daily lot, and the parking garage. Each option provides convenience and flexibility according to your length of stay and budget.

LotHourly Parking RateDaily Maximum Rate
Parking Garage$2.00 per 30 minutes$19.00
Daily Lot$2.00 per 30 minutes$13.00
East Economy Parking Lot$2.00 per 30 minutes$11.00
West Economy Parking Lot$2.00 per 30 minutes$11.00

If staying on budget is one of your top priorities, the economy parking lots will be your best option. 

Both the East and West lots charge by the half hour and offer a daily rate of $11. They offer more affordable parking than the parking garage ($19.00) and daily lot ($13.00) because they’re farthest away from the terminals. However, if you don’t want to make the trek to your terminal, there’s a free shuttle service that arrives every 25 to 30 minutes

If you want to be a little closer, the daily lot is slightly more expensive but offers more frequent shuttle services every 15 to 20 minutes

While the parking garage is the most expensive option for long-term vehicle storage, it provides the added benefit of covered parking, which will protect your vehicle from the elements. It’s also the closest option to the terminals, providing a short walk. 

Keep in mind that the typical long-term stay limit for your car is about three weeks. If you plan to be away longer than this, you’ll need to call the airport at (916) 874-0825.

Free Parking

Free parking is hard to come by, especially at airports like SMF. There isn’t any free parking available, but there is a waiting area at the southwestern end of the airport. It’s essentially a cell phone lot, which allows you to stay in your car while you wait to pick up passengers. 

Remember the following:

  • You must stay inside your car while waiting
  • There is a three-hour waiting limit
  • You can get a ticket if you leave your car unattended

Additional Parking Services and Amenities

Sacramento International Airport offers a few amenities to help you feel safer leaving your car behind. This airport has 24/7 security and lot attendants, so people are keeping an eye on your car at all times. That being said, it’s still recommended to take any valuables out of your vehicle, just in case. 

In addition to around-the-clock security, the airport has various other amenities, including EV charging stations. 

EV Charging Stations

Travelers driving electric vehicles don’t have to worry about coming back to an uncharged car at SMF. The airport provides EV charging stations in the parking garage, daily lot, and the cell phone lot. Garage charging stations are located in the following areas:

  • Two level two charging stations are on every level of the garage near the Terminal A elevators.
  • 12 level one charging stations are dispersed among levels three through six of the garage near Terminal B elevators.

With these charging options, you can park your electric vehicle and charge it while you travel, ensuring it’s ready for the road when you return. All EV charging stations at this airport are free to use, making it a convenient and cost-effective fuel option while you’re away on your trip.

Payment Methods and Tips

Recently, SMF shifted to cashless operations at the payment booths. So, you’ll need to make all your parking payments with a credit or debit card at the entry and exit gates. Contactless payment options are also available for those using mobile wallets, adding extra convenience. 

If you’d prefer to pay with cash, don’t worry. There are designated self-serve kiosks throughout the airport. 

Keep in mind that Sacramento Airport doesn’t allow parking bookings in advance. However, the airport website keeps an updated parking map of how many spots are available in each lot so you can plan ahead.

How to Save Money on Sacramento Airport Parking

One of the best ways to save money is by utilizing the economy parking lots, especially for long trips. In one of the SMF lots, your parking fee can increase quickly with each passing day. Thankfully, the economy lots can save you a few dollars per day–which might seem like nothing, but it can save you a good amount by the time you get back.

Final Thoughts

Sacramento International Airport is a busy place, with about 24,000 people passing through the airport each day. This leads to hundreds to thousands of cars needing parking. 

Using airport parking is a good option for those who may be away for a few days to a week or two. But if you think you’ll be leaving your car for a longer period, using other car storage options may make more sense for you.

Try Neighbor, a peer-to-peer car storage marketplace, that lets you choose from nationwide car storage spaces in your preferred neighborhood. These options are up to 50% cheaper than other car storage options. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Prepay for Parking at Sacramento International Airport?

You cannot prepay your parking fee or make parking reservations at SMF. However, the airport’s updated parking log and map will track the number of spots available. Before your arrival, check this live report so that you aren’t driving up and down rows in a full lot. 

Is There Free Parking at SMF?

All regular parking spots and accessible parking spots have the same rates. The only free option is the cell phone lot, which is only for people waiting to pick up passengers. You cannot leave your car here unattended. 

How Much Is Parking at Sacramento International Airport?

Parking at SMF ranges from just $2.00 to $19.00 per day. The fee will ultimately depend on which lot you choose to park in and how long you’re leaving your car behind–but the highest daily maximum would be $19.00 in the parking garage. 

Neighboring Airports

Burbank Airport (Bob Hope Airport) (BUR)

Las Vegas Airport (LAS) (Harry Reid International Airport)

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

Ontario International Airport (ONT)

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