How many people will fly out of Sacramento airport for Memorial Day? Get ready for crowds

Jacqueline Pinedo
·2 min read

More than 100,000 travelers are expected to pass through Sacramento International Airport over the Memorial Day weekend, according to a Wednesday news release.

As estimated 3.39 million travelers are forecast to fly over the holiday weekend nationwide, which is a 5.4% increase since 2019, according to data from the American Automobile Association.

With airports gearing up for the travel frenzy over the weekend, here’s what you can expect if you’re flying out of Sacramento:

Sacramento International Airport

The airport is expecting to see pre-pandemic travel levels this weekend, said Scott Johnston, a spokesman at Sacramento International Airport.

The busiest times will land between Friday, May 26, and Tuesday, May 30, according to the news release.

Top destinations for Sacramento travelers include:

  • Hawaii

  • Southern California

  • Mexico

  • Las Vegas

  • Seattle

When should you arrive to the airport?

For travelers flying domestically, general advice suggests you should arrive two hours ahead of time. For those flying internationally, arrive three hours before your scheduled departure flight.

Parking at Sacramento International Airport

Parking has become a premium at the airport which has caused the garage parking lot to be full everyday except for Monday over the last month, Johnston previously told The Bee.

Airport personnel are urging travelers, if possible, to use alternate forms of transportation to get to their scheduled flights over the weekend.

Below are suggested alternatives to getting to the airport, according to the news release:

  • Ride share services

  • Taxi

  • Asking a friend for a ride

  • Public transportation

For those who decide to drive, they can check available parking in real time through the airport parking status website. Sacramento has five available lots which include:

  • 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)

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