SMF cell phone lot: where to wait for arriving passengers
Picking someone up at Sacramento International Airport? Wait at the Free Waiting Area until they call, then drive to the arrivals curb. Here is where it is, the rules, and what it costs to park and meet them inside instead.
Checked October 14, 2026
Where is the SMF cell phone lot?
Near the Interstate 5 entrance/exit, with access to both terminals; the airport also calls it the Cell Phone Lot.
Find the Free Waiting Area on Google Maps
Rules
Free; 3-hour limit; vehicles must be attended at all times.
What's there
Portable restrooms, free Wi-Fi, paid EV charging (DC fast and Level 2).
Waiting at the curb and other options
- Waiting at the terminal curb is not allowed; unattended or waiting vehicles are ticketed or towed. Use the free waiting area instead.
Meeting them inside instead
To walk in and meet your passengers in the terminal, you pay for short-term parking. The lowest posted price at a lot within walking distance:
How these lots work at other airports: Airport cell phone lots explained.
Sources
From the airport's own pages. If something has changed, tell us and we'll recheck.
- Free Waiting Area — Sacramento County Department of Airports. Checked October 14, 2026.
- Frequently Asked Questions — Sacramento County Department of Airports. Checked October 14, 2026.
- Parking — Sacramento County Department of Airports. Checked October 14, 2026.
- SMF Parking Rate Changes Support New Garage and Customer Improvements — Sacramento County Department of Airports. Checked October 14, 2026.