Is it better to park or ride-share to Sacramento International Airport? Here’s the breakdown

Jacqueline Pinedo
·4 min read

When factoring transportation to and from Sacramento International Airport, is it better to gamble on a ride-share or parking?

Sacramento airport has seen an increase in travel since COVID-19 restrictions eased, leading to crammed parking lots, but ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft are known for surge pricing that makes costs hard to predict.

Here’s a breakdown of estimated parking and ride-share costs at Sacramento International Airport:

What does it cost to park at Sacramento airport?

Sacramento airport has five lots, and although they all share the same $2 per half hour rate, they vary on daily rates.

Important note: The airport parking has been full everyday except for Monday for the past month, Johnston said.

“We are seeing a record number of people coming through the airport now and parking has really become a premium,” said Scott Johnston, a spokesman for Sacramento International Airport.

Here’s the quick price breakdown, according to the airport website:

  • Hourly Parking: $30 a day maximum (this lot is recommended for short stays only, not overnight)

  • Garage Parking: $18 a day maximum (covered parking, near the terminals)

  • Daily Lot: $12 a day maximum (uncovered lot, walking distance of the terminals)

  • East Economy Parking: $10 a day maximum (uncovered lot with shuttle to terminals)

  • West Economy Parking: $10 a day maximum (uncovered lot with shuttle to terminals)

Here’s a breakdown on what it would look like to park at the airport for three days:

  • Garage Parking: $54

  • Daily Lot: $36

  • East Economy Parking: $30

  • West Economy Parking: $30

How much does an Uber or Lyft to the airport cost?

It’s difficult to get an exact price for an upcoming ride-share, but here are price breakdowns for both Uber and Lyft.

Uber

Uber relies on traffic, driver supply and ride demand at the time you request your ride to determine its prices, a spokesperson told The Bee. In other words: Upfront pricing is just an estimate and you could end up paying more.

Uber pricing can vary on three factors, according to the ride-share website:

We calculated the estimated cost for a one-way Uber ride leaving from downtown Sacramento, through its price estimator. Uber prices ranged from $30 to $77 at noon Friday, depending on the car option you select.

For a round trip, based on this estimate, an Uber ride could cost anywhere from $60 to $154.

Lyft

Lyft pricing varies on four factors, according to the ride-share website.

  • Calculated base price

  • Time

  • Base charge

  • Service fees

According to the ride-share website, “some airports trips may be subject to a surcharge fee that may not be included in your initial fare estimate.”

We calculated the estimated cost for a one-way Lyft ride leaving from downtown Sacramento, through its price estimator. Lyft prices range from ranged from $32 to $84 at 1 p.m. Friday, depending on the car option you select.

For a round trip, based on this estimate, a Lyft ride could cost anywhere from $64 to $168.

Which one is more affordable?

It depends, and both scenarios can be hard to predict.

Here are some questions to consider when deciding which one you’ll use for your trip:

  • How long will you be gone? If you park at the airport for an extended period of time, it may be more cost effective to use a ride-share.

  • Are you traveling over the holidays? Ride-share surge prices are more likely to run up your bill but you’ll need to plan further in advance to find a parking spot.

  • How far away do you live from the airport? Distance from your destination affects the cost of Uber and Lyft.

  • How much time do you have before your trip? Getting dropped off at the airport certainly saves time. If you park in one of the economy lots, you’ll need to factor in time for a shuttle.

Here’s how you can check parking availability and Lyft and Uber estimates when planning your trip:

General guidance urges travelers to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of a domestic flight, and three hours before an international flight.

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