Travelling from Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF): What you need to know
Start planning your holiday by checking out the best departure point for your flight from Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Explore the options for leaving from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), the city's main airports.
The average length of a direct Houston to Sacramento International Airport flight is 4 hours 15 minutes.
The timezone in Sacramento is UTC-7, which is two hours behind Houston. Sacramento International Airport is located in Sacramento.
The busiest route is from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF), with 13 direct services every week. If you're ready to head out sooner, the earliest flight from IAH to SMF is the 9:43am United Airlines option. If you prefer travelling later, the last departure is at 8:35pm with United Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for stress-free travel. Be at the airport with enough time to board your flight from Houston to SMF.
Delays at check-in and security are likely if you're heading away during high season, so allow even more breathing space. The recommendation for peak times? Get there up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Airports in Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Get there in one go from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Direct flights from Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) can be booked from here.
You can book a direct flight from Houston to Sacramento International Airport with United Airlines. This top airline operates departures from IAH.
United Airlines is the most frequently booked airline offering flights from IAH to SMF.
With 69.66% of its services arriving as planned, United Airlines is the leading performer for punctuality on this route.
IAH is about 27 kilometres from central Houston. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 20 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic. If you're taking public transport, expect the travel time to be around 50 minutes.
Catching an early flight from Houston to Sacramento International Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some bonus sleep) by staying at one of these hotels close to George Bush Intercontinental Airport:
Of all flights departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 78.42% land on time at their destination.
IAH is located at 16930 JFK Boulevard.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
You can book a direct Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF) flight ticket with departures from William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Work out whether departing from HOU makes the most sense for you.
You can board a direct flight from Houston to SMF with Southwest Airlines. This is one of the main carriers that operates this route out of HOU.
On the HOU to SMF route, Southwest Airlines is the go-to airline for most travellers.
If you're looking for a carrier known for its punctual service, book with Southwest Airlines. It boasts an on-time performance of 83.33% for flights between William P. Hobby Airport and Sacramento International Airport.
HOU is about 19 kilometres from central Houston. It'll take 20 minutes or so to get to the airport in a car from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.
Got an early start? Think about staying at one of these hotels near William P. Hobby Airport the day before your Houston to SMF flight:
Most flights that leave William P. Hobby Airport make it to their destination on schedule. It achieves a consistent on-time performance rate of 81.06%.
The address for HOU is 7800 Airport Boulevard.
About Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
Once your flight from Houston to Sacramento International Airport has landed, relax at a nearby hotel. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sacramento Airport Natomas is a convenient option that's an easy drive from SMF.
Grab a Sacramento International Airport rental car and explore Sacramento and beyond with your own wheels. Thrifty, Dollar and Budget are popular outlets you can book with here.
To secure the lowest price, book your vehicle around two weeks in advance of your Houston to Sacramento International Airport flight.
The address for SMF is 6900 Airport Boulevard.
Getting from Sacramento International Airport (SMF) to central Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport to the centre of Sacramento is around 14 kilometres. If you're getting a cab or renting a car, plan in advance to make your trip as easy as possible. Journey times will vary based on the time of day and traffic conditions.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey of roughly 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Houston to Sacramento International Airport is $156. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $294. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares could change.
Booking in advance is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Houston to SMF. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest Houston to Sacramento International Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your travel dates are flexible.
Snapping up a cheap flight ticket from Houston to SMF is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll let you know as soon as there's a price drop.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Houston to Sacramento International Airport.
The best time to fly from Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
August is when most people book flights from Houston to Sacramento International Airport (SMF). Plan your visit to Sacramento in May for a more laid-back experience.
Book a Houston to SMF flight ticket departing in July if you're eager to experience the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Sacramento to range from 15ºC to 37ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from Houston to Sacramento International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC and 17ºC.
More about Sacramento
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Sacramento right here. Check out these hotels once you've booked your flight from Houston to Sacramento International Airport:
You'll find plenty of terrific things to do in Sacramento when you're ready to sightsee. Make your way to Old Sacramento Waterfront followed by Fright Planet - America's Haunted Theme Park and California State Railroad Museum.
Explore more of the United States
San Jose is just one of the many places in the United States waiting to be discovered after you've seen Sacramento. Around 153 kilometres away to the south, check out popular attractions including Japantown (San Jose), Winchester Mystery House and The Tech Museum of Innovation.
Around 129 kilometres south-west of Sacramento, San Francisco is another essential stop in the United States. Start your sightseeing at Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies - Alamo Square and Alcatraz Island.
