Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 8:22 AM - For Immediate Release
Holiday Travel Begins; Arrive Early & Be Prepared with Information
SACRAMENTO, CA. — Sacramento International Airport is ready to serve holiday travelers with extra staff, live entertainment, and great opportunities for last-minute shopping. Besides arriving two hours in advance of departure, airport officials encourage customers to know airline and TSA requirements, and to be flexible about parking options.
With Christmas falling on a Sunday, the busiest travel days are expected to be Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 21-Dec. 24.
Another rush occurs when travelers return from their holiday destinations on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 2-3.
The airport has increased staffing to deal with the holiday rush. Musicians will perform at various times throughout the day Dec. 21-24 in the baggage claim areas of both terminals. Even the Boarding Area Relaxation Corp. (BARC) therapy dog program has added visits from Dec. 16-24, with extra teams on site Dec. 20 and Dec. 21.
Here are some tips for an enjoyable experience at the airport this holiday season:
GETTING HERE
- Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. When a lot fills to capacity, customers must select another option and pay the posted rate. The Economy Lot ($10/day) will fill and close sometime during Christmas week. The Daily Lot ($12/day) is minutes from both terminals by walking or taking a shuttle, but it may also fill and close by Christmas.
- Hassle-free-parking with plenty of spaces is available at the garage ($17/day). The garage offers covered parking and is a short walk from either terminal.
- Want someone else to drive? Options include taxicabs, SuperShuttle, offsite van and shuttle bus companies, Yolobus public transportation, and on-demand taxicab services like Uber, Lyft, and Wingz.
- Picking someone up? Avoid circling the terminals by using the Free Waiting Area, also known as the cell phone lot. Visitors can park and wait until their passenger calls to let them know they are at the curb. It’s a 3-5 minute drive to either terminal.
CATCHING A FLIGHT
- Parking overnight at the Hourly B lot is not recommended, as is it designed – and priced – for short visits. The airport has enough parking spaces that the Hourly B lot will not be left with as the only parking option.
- Make sure you know TSA regulations. If you have a question about what you can or cannot bring, check out the TSA’s “Can I bring my…” page:
https://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_home.aspx
- A bottle of Napa Valley wine for dinner? Toys for the kids? A little holiday bling for someone special? Airport concessions offer excellent last-minute gift ideas. See a list here.
- Musical entertainment will be available on selected dates until Christmas Eve. View the list of performers here.
The Sacramento County Department of Airports is responsible for planning, developing, operating and maintaining the county’s four airports: Sacramento International Airport, Executive Airport, Mather Airport and Franklin Field. Sacramento International Airport offers more than 155 daily nonstop flights on 12 domestic and international carriers to 36 destinations. The regional economic impact of the Sacramento County Department of Airports is more than $4 billion annually. For more information, visit sacramento.aero.