Sacramento Airport (SMF) TSA Wait Times & Security Updates
Are you planning to depart from Sacramento International Airport (SMF)? It is always recommended to refer to the SMF TSA wait times before your departure, to help you get a better idea on the estimated time it might take you before getting screened by TSA security.
Sacramento airport is considered one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over 13 million passengers a year and security lines can take a while on weekends, holidays and busy travel hours.
However, Southwest Airlines passengers should also check their airline’s recommended arrival time, as the time it takes to get through airport security may vary depending on how busy the airport is. It is advisable to arrive early especially on busy weekdays.
Typical SMF TSA Security Wait Times
Although, the SMF TSA wait times can fluctuate, depending on the time you arrive at the airport, sometimes moving swiftly and at other times you might have to wait a while.
Morning hours, weekends, and holidays tend to be busier, which means it is a good idea to avoid these times if you can. Alternatively, you can refer to the SMF Security wait time before leaving for the airport, to help you get a rough estimate. There are also a few other things you can do to speed up the security process.
Check this table below before your visit to the airport.
| Time period | Usual wait times(minutes) |
| 12am – 1am | – |
| 1am – 2am | – |
| 2am – 3am | – |
| 3am – 4am | – |
| 4am – 5am | 14-23 min |
| 5am – 6am | 18-22 min |
| 7am – 8 am | 12-21min |
| 8am – 9am | 16-35min |
| 9am – 10am | 15-19min |
| 10am – 11am | 12-35min |
| 11am – 12pm | 15-19min |
| 12pm – 1pm | 12-14min |
| 1pm – 2pm | 10-13min |
| 2pm – 3pm | 7-13min |
| 3pm – 4pm | 8-13min |
| 4pm – 5pm | 10-14min |
| 5pm – 6pm | 8-15min |
| 6pm – 7pm | 10-13min |
| 7pm – 8pm | 10-17min |
| 8pm – 9pm | 9-14min |
| 9pm – 10pm | 6-16min |
| 10pm – 11pm | 6-10min |
| 11pm – 12am | 2-5min |
Sacramento Airport TSA Checkpoints
Sacramento International Airport(SMF) has TSA checkpoints in Terminal A and Terminal B. Whenever arriving at the airport, it is important to verify the boarding pass and pay attention to the signages which will lead the way to the correct terminal.
| Terminal | Location | Timing |
| Terminal A | Level 1, adjacent to Starbucks | 4 a.m. to 12 a.m., every day. |
| Terminal B | Level 3, near DOCO market | 4 a.m. to 12 a.m., daily. |
SMF TSA Wait Times
TSA wait times at SMF airports may vary throughout the day, which means that the security wait time depends on your arrival at the airport. If there are fewer travelers at the airport, the queue will move at a faster pace, while busier times of the day can add an extra minute to the usual time.
Weekends, holidays, morning hours, and other heavily rush hour times can cause the TSA line to grow. It will be great if you check the most recent waiting time before your flight and add a few extra minutes to factor in any security delays. As usual, TSA security wait times at Sacramento Airport SMF can vary from 10 – 30 minutes on average.
TSA PreCheck Checkpoints
TSA PreCheck is a wonderful idea for people who want to enjoy their time at the airport and not spend it waiting on a line. As the kiosks are open, passengers who applied for this option have a choice of going through a less stressful screening process.
Before flying somewhere it is important to check TSA checkpoints and wait times to have an idea of how long it may take to go through security. It is also necessary to make sure that you have your boarding pass and ID ready so that you do not spend extra time searching for them.
Current Average TSA Wait Times at Sacramento International (SMF)
Current average TSA wait times at Sacramento International (SMF) generally varies from 9 to 18 minutes for normal lines though they change during the day, but if you goes through TSAPreCheck, wait times cuts 9 – 18minutes to around 5 minutes and passenger with CLEAR only have to wait about 1 minutes.
Mostly tsa wait times SMF depends on passenger volumes when fewer passengers are at the airport , the security line may move faster. During busy hours, the wait can be longer due to more travelers getting screened.
For travelers checking TSA wait times SMF, it is a good idea to refer to the latest information before heading out to the airport. This way, you should have a general idea of how much extra time you might need to get through security.
Sacramento Airport TSA wait times can change depending on the terminal, time of the day, and as passenger traffic. Since the lines can fluctuate rapidly, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and arrive early, especially during weekends, holidays, and other busy travel hours.
Wrap up
By referring to the SMF TSA wait times before your trip, you will be able to receive an accurate estimation of the time required to get through the airport security. Indeed, the security lines can vary in a matter of days depending on the level of airport congestion.
It is always better to arrive earlier than expected at the airport to keep a little buffer time for TSA security. As another alternative, you can double-check the latest Sacramento Airport TSA wait times before departing to the airport, to have a rough estimate.
A little forethought can go a long way and help you breeze through the airport with ease.
What Travelers Should Know About SMF Security
FAQ
You should arrive at the airport 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international one.
TSA checkpoints at Sacramento International Airport (SMF) open at 4:00 AM daily.
You can go through TSA security as soon as the checkpoint opens, which is at 4 in the mornings for Sacramento Airport (SMF) TSA Checkpoint.
Weapons, sharp objects, bombs, flammable objects, or liquids over 3.4 oz are prohibited from being brought on board.
You can refer to the Transportation Security Administration search tool to find out if you can bring something on board TSA flights.