Sacramento International Airport Parking Rates Are Going Up: What Travelers Need to Know Before October 26

Sacramento County supervisors unanimously approved new parking rates at Sacramento International Airport on Tuesday, and travelers will feel them as soon as the new 5,500-space garage opens on October 26. Garage parking rises from $21 to $28 per day, daily lots go from $14 to $19, and economy lots climb from $12 to $14. The county also proposed $1 annual increases from 2028 through 2031, and a reservation system launching next year will set daily rates between $20 and $34 depending on the lot.

County officials say the old rates simply failed to keep pace with inflation, and even with the increases, SMF remains cheaper than parking at Bay Area and Reno airports or in downtown Sacramento garages. The new garage adds thousands of terminal-adjacent spaces, which should ease the hunt for a spot during peak travel times.

For locals, the practical takeaway is simple: budget more for airport parking this holiday season, or start comparing alternatives like rideshare, offsite lots, or getting a ride from a friend. The gap between SMF and its competitors is narrowing, so the cheapest option may look different than it did a year ago.

Will the new rates change how you get to the airport? Let us know in the comments.