Downtown Denver skyline from City Park with the Rocky Mountains behind. Flights from Sacramento to Denver

Route guide

Cheap Flights from Sacramento to Denver

Flights from Sacramento International to Denver International, with Southwest's nonstop pattern, the walk from gate to train at each end, and what to expect at a mile high.

SMF to DEN · 907 mi · 2h 33m est.

SMF to DEN
907 miles
2h 33m nonstop (estimated)
4 airlines in our fare results

Photo: David Herrera, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Sacramento to Denver flight insights

Average flight time

~2h 33m (estimated)

SMF → DEN

Cheapest cached price

$165

Checking live fares…

Last checked Oct 19, 2026

Planning a trip from Sacramento to Denver? The average flight time on this route is ~2h 33m (estimated). The lowest fare we recorded on this route recently was $165 (last checked Oct 19, 2026); today's live fare for your dates can differ.

Sacramento (SMF) and Denver (DEN) are about 907 miles apart in a straight line. Flight times vary by airline, direction and routing, so check the scheduled time shown with each result.

Sacramento to Denver at a glance

SMF to DEN is about 907 miles in a straight line. The curved line is an illustration; the route your airline flies may differ.

Route Quick Facts

Quick facts for flights from Sacramento to Denver on Eazair
Origin	Sacramento (SMF)
Destination	Denver (DEN)
Average Flight Time	~2h 33m (estimated)
Current Lowest Fare	$165
Fares Last Checked	Oct 19, 2026
Distance	907 miles (SMF to DEN)
Time in Denver	1 hour ahead of Sacramento
Airlines in our fare results	4

Local time in Denver is 1 hour ahead of Sacramento. Sacramento is on Pacific Time, Denver on Mountain Time.

Flight deals from Sacramento to Denver

Colorado's State Capitol says Denver's official elevation, marked on the fifteenth of its west steps, is 5,280 feet. This page searches Sacramento International (SMF) to Denver International (DEN). Southwest's Sacramento to Denver route page, checked 22 Oct 2026, answers yes to nonstop service, 5 times a day Monday through Friday, 4 on Saturdays and 5 on Sundays; schedules change. Southwest, United, Delta and American turned up among partner results in EazAir's single fare check for this route. At SMF, Southwest flies from Terminal B and the others from Terminal A.

Southwest passengers check in at Terminal B, then ride the Automated People Mover from level 3, just ahead and to the right of Old Soul Baking Co., to gates B12 and B14 to B23. Without a car, SacRT lists its Airport Express, Route 142, at Terminals A and B daily from 5:15 a.m. to 10:33 p.m., and Yolobus 42A and 42B come in from Davis, Woodland and West Sacramento to the arrivals level.

Southwest arrives at Denver's Concourse C, gates C23 to C37, C40 to C47, C49 and C51; DEN lists American there too, Delta at A and United at A and B, and says the train ride from Jeppesen Terminal to the C Gates takes less than 10 minutes. For downtown, the RTD A Line leaves the Transit Center on Level 1, beneath the Westin, every 15 minutes and reaches Union Station in 37 minutes, according to DEN, and RTD charges an Airport Fare.

EazAir's first fare check for Sacramento to Denver was on 19 Oct 2026, for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days later; one check cannot show a pattern. Southwest, Delta and American's lowest fares allow a carry-on; United Basic Economy does not on domestic flights, bar some MileagePlus exceptions. SMF's SMForward page expects a new Terminal B to Concourse B walkway to open in the first quarter of 2027. Search your own dates, and check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

Airports for Sacramento to Denver flights

Departure · Sacramento

Sacramento International (SMF)

Pacific Time

Arrival · Denver

Denver International (DEN)

Mountain Time

About Denver

Areas to know in Denver

LoDo (Lower Downtown)
RiNo Art District
Capitol Hill

Weather in Denver

A semi-arid climate with over 300 sunny days a year; the high altitude keeps evenings cool even in summer, and winter brings snow to the nearby mountains.

Sacramento to Denver: airport and fare guide

Airport details were checked on 17 Oct 2026 and route details on 22 Oct 2026, against the airport, airline and transit pages listed under Sources. Airports and airlines change these details, so confirm them with your airline before you fly.

The SMF website also lists Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC) and Mather Airport (MHR). The flights in this guide use Sacramento International (SMF).

About this route

Southwest's route pages, checked 22 Oct 2026, list nonstop flights from Sacramento to Denver and from Denver to Sacramento.

Southwest's route pages, checked 22 Oct 2026, answer yes to nonstop flights from Sacramento to Denver and from Denver to Sacramento.
At Sacramento, Southwest lists Terminal B, gates B12 and B14 to B23.
At Denver, Southwest lists Concourse C, gates C23 to C37, C40 to C47, C49 and C51.
DEN's train to the gates links Concourse C with Jeppesen Terminal, and DEN says the ride to the C Gates takes less than 10 minutes.
For Concourse C, DEN says to take the main escalators or elevators down to the Level 4 train platform after security.
Colorado's State Capitol says Denver's official elevation is measured on its west steps, where the fifteenth step is marked One Mile Above Sea Level, at 5,280 feet.
Colorado's health department says altitude sickness symptoms usually appear within 6 to 24 hours of arrival at altitude and can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness level.
Colorado's health department suggests limiting alcohol and avoiding strenuous activity for the first 24 to 48 hours after arrival, and drinking water daily because the dry air raises dehydration risk.
Southwest says all bags at Denver must be checked 45 minutes before scheduled departure, and its Denver ticket counter opens 120 minutes before the first departing flight.
SMF says Terminal A and Terminal B are separate buildings, and Southwest lists its Sacramento gates in Terminal B.
DEN says the final phase of its Great Hall Program includes renovating airline check-in on the south end of Level 6, with the program due to finish by the end of 2027.
SMF's SMForward page, which shows no date, lists a new walkway between Terminal B and Concourse B under construction, with opening expected in the first quarter of 2027.

Leaving from Sacramento International (SMF)

Airline	SMF terminal
American	Terminal A
Delta	Terminal A
United	Terminal A
Southwest	Terminal B
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

From downtown Sacramento, SacRT Route 142 serves Terminals A and B. SacRT lists it daily from 5:15 a.m. to 10:33 p.m.
From Davis, Woodland or West Sacramento, Yolobus 42A and 42B stop at both terminals.
SMF says the curb is only for active loading and unloading. Drivers can wait at the Free Waiting Area near the Interstate 5 entrance and exit, with a three-hour limit.
SMF says TSA checkpoints open at 4 a.m. daily and close at 12:30 a.m., depending on flight schedules.
SMF's rule of thumb is to arrive two and a half hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. Check your airline's own advice too.
SMF says you may be denied check-in if you arrive less than 45 minutes before your flight.

Arriving at Denver International (DEN)

Airline	DEN concourse
Delta	Concourse A
United	Concourses A and B
Southwest	Concourse C
American	Concourse C
Other airlines	Check your boarding pass or airline app.

DEN's airline page shows no update date, so confirm your concourse on your boarding pass.

DEN has three concourses, A, B and C, beyond security. The train to the gates links them with Jeppesen Terminal.
The train leaves from a platform on Level 4. DEN says the ride from the terminal to the C Gates takes less than 10 minutes.
With an A gate boarding pass you can walk the A-Bridge, directly north of the security checkpoints, instead of taking the train.
In Jeppesen Terminal, even-numbered doors are on the west side and odd-numbered doors are on the east side.

Getting from DEN	Where to board	Where it goes
RTD A Line	Transit Center on Level 1, beneath the Westin Denver International Hotel. DEN says trains run every 15 minutes. RTD says trips to or from the airport need an Airport Fare.	Union Station in downtown Denver, 37 minutes according to DEN, with stops at 61st & Peña, 40th & Airport and 38th & Blake.
Rideshare	Level 5, Island 5, on the East or West side of the terminal. DEN says to order your ride after collecting your luggage.	Wherever you booked.
Taxis	Level 5, Island 1. DEN says taxis are available 24 hours a day and you can go straight to the stands after baggage claim.	Your destination.
Mountain carriers	Level 5, Island 4.	The carrier's own routes.
Hotel and rental car shuttles	Hotel shuttles pick up on Level 5. A free rental car shuttle runs from the Jeppesen Terminal pickup area.	Hotels and the off-site rental car counters.

What the lowest fares include

Fare	Carry-on	Checked bag	Seat	Changes
Delta Main Basic	Delta says every passenger can bring one carry-on and one personal item free.	Delta charges for checked bags on domestic flights unless you qualify for a waiver, such as Medallion status or an eligible Delta SkyMiles American Express card.	Assigned after check-in. You may be able to buy a seat ahead of time for a fee.	Refunds are not allowed after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation window. Delta says a change or cancellation may be possible for a fee, with any value left as an eCredit.
American Basic Economy	Included, plus a personal item.	Not included, except for some AAdvantage status members and eligible cardmembers.	A free seat is assigned at check-in, or you can pay to choose one.	Generally not allowed. American describes a 24-hour window and some credit options on its Basic Economy page.
United Basic Economy	Not included on domestic flights. One personal item only, unless you are a MileagePlus Premier member, travel with one, or hold a qualifying MileagePlus card.	Not included; check United's bag fee calculator.	Assigned by United before boarding.	Changes may not be allowed. Refund if cancelled within 24 hours of booking, under United's 24-hour policy; after that, partial travel credit.
Southwest Basic	Southwest's policy allows one carry-on and one personal item.	Checked bag fees apply to Basic fares.	A free Standard seat is assigned at check-in. Preferred and Extra Legroom seats cost extra.	Only by upgrading to a Choice fare or higher. Cancelling at least 10 minutes before departure gives a flight credit, which for Basic expires 6 months from booking.

Based on the airlines' own pages, checked on 17 Oct 2026. Fees are left out because they change often. Check the final price, bags and fare rules on the partner site before you pay.

How EazAir measured fares on this route

EazAir's first fare check from Sacramento to Denver was on 19 Oct 2026. For the return direction, Denver to Sacramento, EazAir's first 4 checks ran from 28 Sep to 19 Oct 2026. Each check asked partner travel sites for the lowest one-way economy fare for one adult, departing 30 days after the check. Results can include connecting flights. One check cannot show a pattern. Search your own dates for current prices.

Sources

Southwest: Flights from Sacramento to Denver (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Flights from Denver to Sacramento (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Airport information, Sacramento (SMF) (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Airport information, Denver (DEN) (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
DEN: Facilities (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
DEN: East security checkpoint opens (4 Aug 2025, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
Colorado State Capitol: History of the Capitol (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Top 5 things to know, stay safe when visiting Colorado (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
SMF: FAQ (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
DEN: Great Hall Program (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
SMF: SMForward (no date shown, accessed 22 Oct 2026)
SMF: Airlines (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SMF: Security information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SMF: Free Waiting Area (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
SacRT: Airport Express (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Yolobus: Travel to SMF on the 42 (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DEN: Airlines (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
DEN: To and from the airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
RTD: Airport (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Delta Main Basic (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Fares and discounts (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Carry-on baggage (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Delta: Bags (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
American Airlines: Basic Economy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
United: Basic Economy FAQ (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare information (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Assigned seating (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Carry-on baggage policy (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
Southwest: Fare types and benefits (no date shown, accessed 17 Oct 2026)
EazAir fare checks for SMF to DEN, 19 Oct 2026 to 19 Oct 2026; DEN to SMF, 28 Sep 2026 to 19 Oct 2026

Frequently asked questions

Will I feel the altitude when I land in Denver?

Possibly. Colorado's health department says symptoms usually appear within 6 to 24 hours of arrival and can affect anyone, whatever their age or fitness. It suggests limiting alcohol, avoiding strenuous activity for the first 24 to 48 hours, and drinking water, because the dry air raises dehydration risk.

How do I get from the Southwest gates at Denver to baggage claim?

Southwest lists Concourse C at Denver. From there, ride the train to the gates back to Jeppesen Terminal; DEN says the ride from the terminal to the C Gates takes less than 10 minutes.

Which Sacramento terminal do Denver flights leave from?

Southwest lists its Sacramento gates in Terminal B. SMF lists American, Delta and United in Terminal A, and says the two terminals are separate buildings, so check your airline before you are dropped off.

Who flies nonstop from Sacramento to Denver?

Southwest's route pages, checked 22 Oct 2026, answer yes to nonstop flights from Sacramento to Denver and from Denver to Sacramento. Schedules change, so check the stops listed with each result.

Do the lowest Sacramento to Denver fares include a carry-on?

Southwest's policy allows one carry-on and one personal item, Delta says every passenger can bring a carry-on free, and American Basic Economy includes one. United Basic Economy on domestic flights includes a personal item only, with exceptions for some MileagePlus members and cardholders.

What is Southwest's bag cutoff in Denver for the flight home?

Southwest says all bags at Denver must be checked 45 minutes before scheduled departure, and its Denver ticket counter opens 120 minutes before the first departing flight of the day.

Airline bag fees

Baggage allowances differ significantly between fare classes (Basic/Light vs. Standard/Flex) and can change over time. Always verify the exact allowance for your specific fare with the airline before you fly.

Checked bag fees from each airline's own website
Airline	Carry-on, basic economy	1st checked bag	2nd checked bag	Source
American Airlines	Included	$45	$55	aa.com, Sep 24, 2026
United Airlines	Not included	$40	$50	united.com, Sep 24, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Included	$45	$55	delta.com, Sep 24, 2026
JetBlue	Included	$45	$59	jetblue.com, Sep 24, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Included	$45	$55	alaskaair.com, Sep 24, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	flyfrontier.com, Sep 24, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Not included	Varies	Varies	suncountry.com, Sep 24, 2026

Domestic US fees per bag, each way, when paid online in advance. "Varies" means the airline prices bags by route and date.

Travel tips

Arrive early for domestic flights

TSA generally recommends arriving at least 2 hours before a domestic departure, more at larger hub airports during peak travel periods.

Pack a mixed carry-on

Keep a change of clothes, chargers, and any essentials in your carry-on rather than only your checked bag, in case of a delay or a bag that doesn't arrive with you.

Ease jet lag on longer routes

On longer cross-country flights, adjusting your sleep schedule a day or two before departure and staying hydrated in flight can reduce jet lag on arrival.

Screenshot your confirmation

Save a screenshot or PDF of your booking confirmation and boarding pass before you travel, in case you lose signal or battery at the airport.

Check in online when it opens

Most airlines open online check-in 24 hours before departure. Checking in early can help with seat selection and, on some airlines, boarding group assignment.