Sacramento International Airport to Hike Parking Fees Next Month

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) will implement significant parking rate increases starting October 26, coinciding with the opening of its new $390 million parking garage. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved the hikes on Tuesday, which will affect all airport parking lots.

The most substantial increase will be for the closest parking spots. The maximum daily rate for the new garage will rise from $21 to $28, a $7 jump. Daily lots within walking distance of the terminals will see their rates increase from $14 to $19, while economy parking will go from $12 to $14.

Airport officials stated that the revenue generated from these increases will be used to pay off the debt incurred for the construction of the new 5,500-space garage. Additional funds will also support technology upgrades, including a system designed to help drivers quickly locate available parking spaces.

The price hikes are not expected to be a one-time event. Proposed annual increases of $1 are planned from 2028 through 2031, suggesting further cost rises for airport parking in the coming years.

Despite the upcoming increases, Sacramento's new parking rates will remain competitive compared to other major California airports. San Francisco International Airport charges up to $39 daily for its domestic garage, San Diego International Airport charges up to $40, and Los Angeles International Airport can charge as much as $70 for premium terminal parking. Similarly, Sacramento's new $14 economy parking rate is lower than San Diego's $15-$20 range, San Francisco's $27, and LAX's $35.

County officials noted that Sacramento's parking rates had not kept pace with inflation and that the new pricing aims to align them more closely with market rates. A staff report indicated that SMF's parking costs, even after the increases, will remain cheaper than those at Bay Area airports and Reno, and will continue to be less expensive than parking in downtown Sacramento garages.