Sacramento Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Sacramento Airport Map

The Sacramento Airport map below shows the complete layout of Sacramento International Airport (SMF/KSMF). Sacramento is California’s capital city airport and the fourth-busiest in the state, serving 13.9 million passengers in 2025 with more than 50% of those flying Southwest Airlines. SMF handles nonstop flights to over 40 destinations across the United States plus six international routes to Mexico and Canada.

As you can see on the Sacramento Airport map, SMF has two separate terminal buildings — Terminal A on the east side and Terminal B on the west side — each with its own check-in, security, and concourse. They are connected landside by a pedestrian skybridge through the parking garage and a free inter-terminal shuttle. Study the SMF airport map before you travel so you know exactly which terminal your airline uses.

Sacramento Airport Location Map

Sacramento International Airport is located about 10–11 miles (17 km) northwest of downtown Sacramento. The location map below shows SMF’s position in the Sacramento metropolitan area. The airport is accessed primarily via Airport Boulevard, which connects directly to Interstate 5 at exit 528. I-80, CA-99, US-50 and CA-113 can all be reached within 10 miles via I-5, and a new direct road connection to CA-99 via the extended Elkhorn Boulevard opened in May 2024.

Sacramento Airport Terminals Overview

SMF has two separate terminal buildings: Terminal A (east side, opened 1998) and Terminal B (west side, opened 2011). Both handle check-in, security, gates and baggage claim independently. They are not connected airside — passengers who need to switch terminals must exit the secure zone, use the pedestrian skybridge or inter-terminal shuttle, and re-clear security on the other side. Always verify your terminal at check-in before heading to security.

Terminal Layout at a Glance

Sacramento Airport Terminal A

Terminal A is the smaller of the two terminals, housing the four major legacy carriers. Built in 1998 and spanning two storeys, it has 13 gates (A1–A5 and A10–A17). The lower level handles landside functions — airline ticketing on the east side, baggage claim on the west side — while the upper level (Level 2) is the secure departure concourse reached via security screening. A Skybridge walkway on Level 2 connects to Terminal B through the parking garage.

Sacramento Airport Terminal B

Terminal B is the larger and newer of the two terminals, opened in 2011. It handles Southwest Airlines and eight other carriers across 19 gates (B4–B12 and B14–B23). Because of Southwest’s dominance at SMF — the airline accounts for more than half of all passenger traffic — Terminal B is typically the busier of the two buildings. After check-in and bag drop on the landside Level 2, passengers take an Automated People Mover (APM) on Level 3 to reach Concourse B and the security checkpoint.

Sacramento Airport Security Checkpoints

Both terminals have separate security checkpoints, both offering TSA PreCheck and CLEAR lanes. In Terminal A, security is located on Level 2 (the upper level). In Terminal B, passengers board the APM (Automated People Mover) on Level 3 and clear security after arriving at Concourse B. There is no shared security between the two terminals — if you need to change terminals, you must exit the secure zone and re-clear in the other building.

Automated People Mover (APM) — Terminal B to Concourse B

Walking Between Terminals at Sacramento Airport

Terminals A and B are separate landside buildings and are not connected airside. To move between them, you must exit the secure zone through baggage claim, then either walk the pedestrian skybridge (about 7 minutes — accessible from Level 2 at Terminal A and Level 3 at Terminal B) or take the free inter-terminal shuttle that runs every 10 minutes from the transport curb outside each terminal. After reaching the other terminal, you must join the security queue again. Allow at least 45–60 minutes for inter-terminal connections.

SMForward — Sacramento Airport Expansion 2026

SMF is mid-way through SMForward, its $1.3 billion long-term expansion programme. Several significant projects are active in 2026.

Getting to Sacramento Airport

There is currently no light rail or commuter rail directly serving SMF — Sacramento is one of the few major US metro areas without a rail link to its main airport. SacRT buses and shuttles provide public transport options, while taxis and ride-shares are the most popular choice for most travellers.

Sacramento Airport Parking

All SMF parking is first-come, first-served — advance reservations are not available for on-airport lots. Check parking availability in real time at flysmf.gov.

Sacramento Airport Map — Arrivals

Arriving passengers land at the concourse attached to their terminal (Concourse A for Terminal A, Concourse B for Terminal B) and proceed to baggage claim on the lower level of the respective terminal building. If you are an international arrival from Mexico or Canada, you will clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Terminal B international arrivals facility before collecting bags and exiting to the ground floor. Ground transportation — taxis, ride-share, rental car shuttles and hotel shuttles — is accessed from the transportation curb outside each terminal’s lower level.

Picking Up Arriving Passengers

Use the free cell phone waiting area (attended vehicles only, 3-hour maximum) and drive to the correct terminal’s pick-up curb once your passenger has their bags. Confirm in advance whether they are arriving at Terminal A or Terminal B, as the two are on opposite sides of the airport campus and a significant drive apart via the airport road loop.

Sacramento Airport Map — Departures

Departing passengers should first confirm their terminal — Terminal A for Air Canada, American, Delta and United; Terminal B for Southwest and all other carriers. Arrive at the correct terminal’s lower-level check-in counters, check in and drop your bags, then proceed to security. In Terminal A, security is upstairs on Level 2. In Terminal B, take the APM on Level 3 to reach Concourse B and the security checkpoint. Gates in Terminal A are straight ahead after security. In Terminal B, gates B4–B12 are to the right of security, gates B14–B23 are to the left.

Recommended Arrival Times

Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Check-in desks and bag drops typically close 45–60 minutes before departure. Peak security times at SMF are generally early morning (4–8 a.m.) and mid-afternoon on weekends. Gate information displays are located throughout both terminal buildings and on your airline’s app.

Insider Tips

SMF consistently earns high passenger satisfaction scores — The Wall Street Journal has named it among the top mid-sized US airports for efficiency. The airport’s B.A.R.C. (Boarding Area Relaxation Corps) therapy dog programme sends trained dogs through both concourses to help nervous flyers. Both terminals have nursing rooms adjacent to the restrooms on the left after security. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout all indoor public areas. If you are renting a car, allow extra time in 2026 as the rental facility is in a state of transition ahead of the new consolidated car center opening. For ski trips to Lake Tahoe, several resorts operate direct shuttles from SMF in winter.