The last time I went to Sacramento airport parking, I noticed that there were a few changes being made in the parking area. It was in a full major expansion mode, which is quickly changing the parking picture like a new garage, new technology, new rates, and reservations on the way.
I have created this guide mentioning all the parking essential information to find the best parking spot for your vehicle. It covers how to reserve a parking spot, how to pay, what parking lot is the best, and some handful of practical tips that can be used while using the parking lot.
Sacramento parking at a Glance
Cheapest on-airport option: The economy lot is the cheapest lot, but shuttle services are required to commute there.
Best balance of price and walking distance: For the best balance of price, select the daily lot.
Most convenient: The most convenient option for the passengers is the covered garage, which is connected to the terminals by pedestrian bridges.
What are different parking options at Sacramento airport?
Garage 1
Garage 1 has sheltered parking for both terminals at Sacramento Airport. There is no shuttle service provided with the garage.
The pedestrian bridges at the garage connect with Terminal A from the 3rd floor and Terminal B from the 5th floor. No cross-roading is available as well.
For the passengers having electronic vehicles, the EV charging space is available near the Terminal A and B elevators.
The price is $2 for 30 mins and $21 for daily prices.
The Daily Lot
This is not a sheltered parking lot, it is situated very close to the terminals and is a solid middle ground. This is situated before the entrance of the garage on Airport Boulevard.
The airport authorities are in full plan to convert this area into a rental car center in the future.
Vehicles that are longer than 21 feet will be charged double the given rate.
EV charging is available at this lot, 4 level 2 chargers and one paddle charger are available.
Shuttle services are available after every 15-20 minutes.
The price of a daily lot is $2 for 30 minutes and $14 for 24 hours.
Economy Lots (South, East, and West)
These are known as the budget-friendly parking lots, however they are not close to the terminals.
South Economy Lot
This is situated on the south of the airport roadway system.
The South Economy lot is $2 for every 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours.
No EV charging is available at the parking lot.
The shuttle services are available after every 20-30 minutes and take up to 60 minutes to reach the terminal, and no walkway pedestrians are allowed.
East Economy Lot
The East Economy Lot is situated to the east of the terminals near Airport Boulevard.
The parking charges at the East Economy lot are $2 for 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours.
No EV charging is available at the parking lot.
The shuttle services are available after every 20-30 minutes and take up to 60 minutes to reach the terminal, and no walkway pedestrians are allowed.
West Economy Lot
The West Economy Lot is located to the west of the terminals of Airport Boulevard.
The parking charges at the East Economy lot are $2 for 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours.
No EV charging is available at the parking lot.
The shuttle services are available after every 20-30 minutes and take up to 60 minutes to reach the terminal, and no walkway pedestrians are allowed.
Hourly Parking
Short-term parking is made for the people who are picking up someone, or going to the airport for a short visit.
The cost for short-term parking is $2 for 30 minutes.
In case you have no plans of meeting someone, you would have to use the cell phone lot and wait for them to come to the curb
What's New: Parking Garage 2
There is an upcoming garage that is being built next to Terminal B, and it will have 5,500 spaces. This is one of the biggest projects where SMF is making an expansion. With this, the airport will be bridging out:
This will bring new parking technology to help the drivers in finding a parking space.
New way for the entry and tools for various payment options
The customers can reserve the place online from next year.
Tips for a Smoother Experience
Make sure to arrive early apart from what you have planned. Parking at Sacramento follows the first-come, first-served rule, so make sure to give yourself some extra time and reach early. During peak seasons, the lots fill up very quickly, due to which looking for a place can be a bit difficult.
Make sure to remember your parking spot, there might be chances of you getting lost since the parking lots look identical. So keep a picture of your parking lot with you.
Always book your parking lot with the length of the trip. So that you are not spending more.
Always have a backup plan. If the parking lots are full, always go for off-site parking, if not, you can try rideshares or buses to commute to the airport.
Make sure to check the new rules or any recent updates on the website before leaving for the airport.
Conclusion
Parking at Sacramento airport can be a bit hectic depending on the peak hours or holidays. So choose wisely before leaving for the airport since the online booking is not available. Select the garage parking if you want the fastest route to your gate or economy if you are going on a long vacation and need to park your car safely somewhere. This guide above covers every option that is required for parking. It covers different parking lots available at Sacramento Airport and what their cost is. After reading this guide, select the right spot for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every parking spot at Sacramento costs differently. Starting from Garage 1, the price is $2 for 30 mins and $21 for daily prices. The daily lot price is the price of a daily lot, which is $2 for 30 minutes and $14 for 24 hours. The South, East, and West Economy Lot is $2 for every 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours. The hourly parking cost for short-term parking is $2 for 30 minutes.
It all depends on your convenience and travel time. For example, Garage 1 has sheltered parking for both terminals at Sacramento Airport. There is no shuttle service provided with the garage. Daily Garage is not a sheltered parking lot, it is situated very close to the terminals and is a solid middle ground. This is situated before the entrance of the garage on Airport Boulevard. The South Economy lot is $2 for every 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours. The parking charges at the East Economy lot are $2 for 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours. The parking charges at the East Economy lot are $2 for 30 minutes. After crossing 2 hours, the fee increases to $12 for 24 hours.
No, there is no free parking available at SAC airport.
Sacramento Airport follows a first-come, first-served basis rule for the passengers who wish to park there. The passengers need a ticket before parking at any parking lot at Sacramento Airport.
Yes, there are certain parking lots, like Economy, South, or West, which offer discounted rates to their customers.
