$79 Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Sacramento (SMF)

Popular airlines from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)

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Cheap Flights from Santa Barbara to Sacramento (SBA-SMF)

Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $79 for one-way flights and $149 for round trip, for the period specified. Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.

Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United
Hawaiian Airlines
Delta
American Airlines

Find the cheapest month to fly from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Sacramento (SMF)

August is typically the cheapest month to fly

From $157 - $511 per traveler.

Graph displaying average flight prices per month

Flights from Santa Barbara (SBA) to Sacramento (SMF)
Origin airport
Santa Barbara Municipal
Destination airport
Sacramento Intl.
Airlines serving
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest Airlines, United
Roundtrip price
$148
Distance
310 mi
Average flight time
1 hour 20 mins

Santa Barbara to Sacramento Flights

The cheapest times to fly from Santa Barbara to Sacramento

On average, Thursday can be the cheapest time to fly, according to data from the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), one of the world's biggest databases for global airline sales. The data reveals that you could save up to 16% by flying on a Thursday—the cheapest day to travel on average—instead of a Sunday—the most expensive. Some of the most affordable flights from Santa Barbara to Sacramento are during the month of August. You can find some of the cheapest flights from Santa Barbara to Sacramento with Expedia's search tool and vast selection of airlines.

 

The best time to book a flight from Santa Barbara to Sacramento

Sunday is one of the best days to book for cheap flights from Santa Barbara to Sacramento: Tickets reserved on a Sunday cost between 6% and 13% less than those reserved on a Friday, according to ARC data. The data also suggests booking early can also lead to cheaper airfares. You could save 24% by buying your tickets for domestic flights at least a month in advance and 10% by booking international flights 2 months in advance.

 

How to find cheap round-trip tickets from Santa Barbara to Sacramento

Being flexible with your dates and using Expedia's Price Drop Protection and Price Tracking features are some of the best ways of finding a cheap ticket from Santa Barbara to Sacramento in 2025. You can also book with separate airlines for your outbound and return journeys, from $79 one-way. Expedia also offers Price Drop Protection, so if the cost of your airfare goes down after booking, you'll receive a credit for the difference*. This is available for a small fee, and is free to One Key Gold and Platinum tier members.

 

Expedia's Price Tracking feature means you can stay on top of airfares without manually checking every day. It sends you automated price alerts for cheap Santa Barbara to Sacramento flights and uses historical data to indicate when the best time to book is. Download Expedia's free app to activate this handy tool in a few easy taps.

 

You could also save big by booking one of Expedia's vacation packages. Bundling together your Santa Barbara to Sacramento airfare with your accommodations and car rental is often cheaper than booking everything separately. There’s also One Key, Expedia's generous rewards program. Join for free and you could earn One Key cash on most bookings to save on future adventures.

 

*Terms apply.

 

Disclaimer: ARC The statistics are based on average round-trip ticket prices between January and August 2023. The percentages you see are averages.

 

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) cost?
Grab cheap return fares starting at $140 from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF). This information is based on the cheapest price found on Expedia for this return journey departing within the next three months. This airfare is for a Southwest Airlines flight leaving SBA on August 5 2025 and touching down at SMF. The price was last updated on July 10 2025 and has not changed since.
What is the cheapest month to fly from SBA to SMF?
The cheapest flights from SBA to SMF are usually during off-peak season, when demand is lower. To save money, avoid flying during public holidays, school breaks and major local events.
Which airlines fly direct from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
You can travel nonstop from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) on a Southwest Airlines flight.
What is the cheapest airline that flies from SBA to SMF?
With tickets starting at $70 for a one-way flight from SBA to SMF, Southwest Airlines is currently the cheapest airline on this route. This fare is based on the lowest price found on Expedia departing within the next three months. The flight takes off from SBA on October 2 2025. Prices were last updated on July 10 2025 and have not changed since.
How many flights per day from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
On average, Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) offers 6 nonstop flights to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) per week. If you're looking for more choice, take advantage of Expedia's filter tool to find flights with a layover. Squeeze in a quick visit to another destination or just break up your journey.
What are the most popular departure times for flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
The 11 AM departures from SBA to SMF are the most sought after. Prices can be higher for these popular slots. If you want to save on your fare, pick a less crowded time to fly.
What day of the week has the most flights from SBA to SMF?
If you travel on a Sunday, you'll get the largest range of choices for flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF).
What is the earliest flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
The first flight of the day jetting off from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) is at around 10:50AM UTC-8. Board this plane and you'll touch down at Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) at approximately 12:10PM UTC-8. The entire trip takes 1h 20m.
How long does it take to fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
The average flight time from SBA to SMF is 1 hour and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 310 mi.
What airline has the least delays from SBA to SMF?
Southwest Airlines has the strongest track record for on-time direct flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF), with an on-time rating of 91%. Use the Expedia App to view your flight status before you go and get real-time updates about any trip changes.
What is the best time to fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
To land at Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) on schedule, pick a flight that leaves from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) before 3 PM. The chance of cancellations is 22% higher, on average, for departures after this time.**Most reliable time of the day and month to travel recommendation is based on January through August 2024 flight status data sourced from OAG's global flight data platform.
What airports do you fly into for Sacramento from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA)?
Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) is the only airport in Sacramento with direct flights from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA). Explore the available options and discover affordable fares on Expedia.
Is it cheaper to buy a plane ticket from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF) last-minute?
Holding off until just before your trip to book a flight from SBA to SMF often results in higher prices. While you may come across some last-minute discounts, there's no guarantee. Allow some flexibility in your schedule for a better chance of landing a bargain.
Is it cheaper to book a SBA to SMF flight and hotel package?
Opting for a SBA to SMF flight and hotel package is usually cheaper than booking separately. With Expedia, you can enjoy the convenience of organizing your trip all in one place. Choose from our wide range of hotels and then add car rentals, flights and activities to your booking. Bundle it all together, and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Can I cancel or change the date of my flight from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento Intl. Airport (SMF)?
If you reserved your SBA to SMF flight in the last 24 hours, you may be able to cancel or modify it without fees. Depending on the airline and the fare type you purchased, additional charges may apply for changes beyond that time. Airline policies and contact information can be found in your itinerary or confirmation email. Or, go to our Customer Service portal for more details.

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