Sacramento Airport (SMF) Terminal Guide 2026
Sacramento International Airport serves California's capital region — gateway to state government, Intel's UC Davis research corridor, and the Sierra Nevada ski resorts. Here's everything you need to navigate SMF.
SacRT light rail: Good for downtown only
Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) light rail stops at SMF and connects to downtown Sacramento (45 min, $2.50). However, it does not reach Roseville, Folsom, Rancho Cordova tech corridor, UC Davis (in Davis), Lake Tahoe, or any Sierra Nevada destinations. For those destinations, car service is the only practical option.
SMF Quick Facts
Terminal A — Southwest & Alaska
Terminal A handles the two major domestic carriers operating out of Sacramento with the most frequent service. Southwest Airlines dominates domestic volume at SMF, offering extensive point-to-point service across its network.
| Airline | Key Routes | Lounge |
|---|---|---|
| Southwest Airlines | Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, Chicago Midway, Dallas Love Field, Baltimore, Orlando, Honolulu | None |
| Alaska Airlines | Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, Phoenix, Boise, Anchorage, Hawaii routes | None at SMF |
Terminal B — American, Delta, United & International
Terminal B was significantly expanded in 2011 and handles the legacy carriers providing connections to international and transcontinental routes. United Airlines uses SMF as a spoke for its San Francisco (SFO) hub.
| Airline | Key Routes | Lounge |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Phoenix (PHX), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago O'Hare, New York JFK | None at SMF |
| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Detroit, New York JFK | None at SMF |
| United Airlines | San Francisco (SFO), Denver, Chicago O'Hare, Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), Washington Dulles | None at SMF |
| Frontier Airlines | Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Atlanta | None |
| Volaris / Viva Aerobus | Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun | None |
SacRT light rail: When it works, when it doesn't
| Destination | Light Rail? | Car Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Sacramento | Yes (45 min, $2.50) | $65 | Rail practical for downtown only |
| State Capitol | Yes (50 min) | $65 | Capitol/Sac State station |
| Midtown Sacramento | Partial (45-55 min) | $68 | Depending on exact location |
| Roseville | No rail service | $95 | 25 mi via I-80 East |
| Folsom (Intel, Broadcom) | No airport connection | $95 | 25 mi; light rail to Folsom but not from SMF |
| UC Davis (Davis) | No rail service | $85 | 15 mi west via I-80 W |
| Lake Tahoe (South) | No rail service | $275 | 100 mi via US-50 E; chains in winter |
| Lake Tahoe (North / Tahoe City) | No rail service | $295 | 105 mi via I-80 E to Hwy 267 |
SMF to Lake Tahoe & Sierra Nevada ski resorts
Sacramento is the primary gateway for one of the best ski regions in North America. The Sierra Nevada ski corridor — including Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Sugar Bowl — draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually who fly into SMF and drive east.
Winter driving warning: I-80 and US-50 between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe regularly require tire chains or all-wheel drive vehicles during winter storms (November through April). When chain controls are in effect, rental cars and standard sedans cannot proceed without chains. Detailed Drivers uses AWD vehicles for all Sierra Nevada transfers — no chain stops, no delays.
| Resort | Distance from SMF | Sedan/SUV | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palisades Tahoe (Olympic Valley) | 105 mi | $295 | I-80 E to Hwy 267 / SR-89 |
| Heavenly Mountain (South Lake Tahoe) | 100 mi | $275 | US-50 E over Echo Summit |
| Northstar California | 107 mi | $295 | I-80 E to Hwy 267 N |
| Sugar Bowl | 90 mi | $265 | I-80 E — Donner Pass |
| Kirkwood Mountain | 115 mi | $315 | US-50 E, then SR-88 S |
| Mammoth Mountain | 310 mi | $625 | US-395 S; Sprinter recommended for groups |
Flat-rate car service pricing from SMF
| Destination | Distance | Sedan | SUV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Sacramento | 12 mi | $65 | $85 |
| State Capitol Building | 12 mi | $65 | $85 |
| UC Davis (Davis) | 15 mi | $85 | $110 |
| Rancho Cordova (tech corridor) | 18 mi | $80 | $104 |
| Roseville (HP, AMD, Hewlett Packard) | 25 mi | $95 | $124 |
| Folsom (Intel, Broadcom, VMware) | 25 mi | $95 | $124 |
| Elk Grove / South Sacramento | 22 mi | $85 | $110 |
| San Francisco (SFO area) | 90 mi | $245 | $318 |
| South Lake Tahoe | 100 mi | $275 | $358 |
| Palisades Tahoe / North Lake Tahoe | 105 mi | $295 | $384 |
All-inclusive pricing. No California highway tolls or chain surcharges added. AWD vehicles for Sierra Nevada routes in winter. Book at detaileddrivers.com/reservations or call (888) 420-0177.
Corporate car service for Sacramento companies
| Organization | Location | SMF Sedan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| State of California (Capitol) | 1315 10th St, Sacramento | $65 | Legislature, Governor's Office, state agencies |
| Intel Corporation (Folsom) | 2200 Mission College Blvd (Folsom campus) | $95 | Major chip design facility |
| HP Inc. (Roseville) | 8000 Foothills Blvd, Roseville | $95 | Major HP printing/PC operations center |
| UC Davis Medical Center | 2315 Stockton Blvd, Sacramento | $70 | Major academic medical center |
| Sutter Health (HQ) | 2200 River Plaza Dr, Sacramento | $65 | Major regional health system |
| Blue Shield of California | 601 12th St, Oakland (SMF visits) | $65 | Insurance HQ; Sacramento regulatory offices |
| VSP Global | 3333 Quality Dr, Rancho Cordova | $80 | Vision care; Rancho Cordova corridor |
SMF airport frequently asked questions
What terminals does SMF airport have?
Sacramento International Airport has two terminals: Terminal A (Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines) and Terminal B (American, Delta, United, Frontier, and international carriers). The terminals are connected by an indoor walkway and share baggage claim on the lower level.
Is there light rail from SMF to downtown Sacramento?
Yes, SacRT light rail connects SMF to downtown Sacramento in approximately 45 minutes for $2.50. However, the light rail does not serve Roseville, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, UC Davis (Davis), or any Sierra Nevada destination. For those destinations, professional car service is the only practical option.
How far is SMF from Lake Tahoe?
South Lake Tahoe is approximately 100 miles from SMF via US-50 East. The drive takes 1.5-2 hours in summer and 2-3+ hours in winter with snow. Detailed Drivers uses AWD vehicles for all Sierra Nevada routes, eliminating the chain stop delay that rental cars face. Flat-rate pricing to South Lake Tahoe is $275 for a sedan.
How far is SMF from UC Davis?
UC Davis campus in Davis is approximately 15 miles west of SMF via I-80 West. The drive takes 18-25 minutes off-peak. Detailed Drivers charges $85 flat rate for a sedan transfer between SMF and UC Davis. Davis Amtrak station is also available as an alternative drop-off.
Is it better to fly into SMF or SFO for Sacramento?
SMF is always better for Sacramento. SFO is 90 miles from downtown Sacramento — the car service from SFO to Sacramento alone costs $245-280 and takes 90 minutes. Unless you have a specific flight that doesn't serve SMF, there is no reason to route through SFO for Sacramento-area destinations.
Does SMF have AWD vehicles for ski resort transfers?
Yes. All Detailed Drivers vehicles used for Lake Tahoe and Sierra Nevada ski resort transfers are all-wheel drive (AWD), which means your driver can pass through chain control checkpoints without stopping. This is a significant advantage over standard rental cars and standard sedan services that must stop and install chains.
Book car service at SMF
Flat-rate transfers from SMF to the State Capitol, Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Intel Folsom, UC Davis, and all Sacramento destinations. AWD vehicles for Sierra Nevada routes.