Closest Airport to Napa Valley: Which One Should You Choose?

Whenever my friends plan a trip to Napa Valley, they all ask the same question: “Which airport should I fly into?”

With eight airports nearby, choosing the right one can be tricky. That’s where I come in! As a Bay Area local since 2017, I’ve become well-versed in navigating the region’s airports.

San Francisco International Airport is the most popular choice in Northern California. However, I recommend you fly into to Sacramento International Airport. The airport is just as close to Napa Valley, minus the crowds and city traffic.

Let’s get get into my top tips for deciding on the best airport to fly into for your wine country vacation. You will be sipping delicious vino on Napa’s hillside in no time!

#1 PICK

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Best Airport to Fly to Napa Valley: Read This First 👇

If I were booking a flight to Napa Valley, here is the order of airports I would look at first:

Sonoma County Airport: Closest airport to Napa Valley, but small and doesn’t offer a ton of nonstop flights.
Sacramento International Airport: Just as close to Napa Valley as SFO and OAK, but less chaotic traffic. Book a nonstop flight to here if you can!
Oakland International Airport: I much prefer flying into Oakland over San Francisco, it’s a smaller airport and I tend to have less flight delays.
San Francisco International Airport: Offers the most nonstop flight options

Choosing the best airport for you, depends on where you are flying in from. You can Uber from the airport to Napa Valley from any of these airports.

However, I do recommend renting a car and driving to Napa. Uber rides add up fast, and a car will allow you more flexibility in your itinerary, and you’ll be able to see a lot more of wine country.

✅ I highly recommend Discover Cars 🚗 for your Napa trip, it’s my go-to rental site!

1. Sacramento International Airport (SAC)

Why Fly into Sacramento International Airport: A great option if you want to avoid the heavy city traffic, especially during rush hour, from San Francisco

Sacramento International Airport (SAC) is my top pick for the best airport to visit Napa Valley. It is easy to get in and out, and SAC is just as close to Napa Valley as San Francisco and Oakland airports.

Serving 12 airlines, including Southwest, American, Delta, and United, SAC offers nonstop and direct flights across the U.S. and easy connections worldwide.

The on-site car rental center is a quick shuttle ride from each terminal, with pickups every 10 minutes.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: 1.5 to 2-hour drive depending on traffic.
✈️ Sacramento International Airport (SAC)

2. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Why Fly into SFO: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is the largest airport in the Bay Area, offering the most flight options and flexibility.

As the main gateway to Napa Valley, San Francisco International Airport connects easily with destinations across the U.S. and internationally, serving as a key hub for United and Alaska Airlines.

If you’re renting a car, SFO offers a convenient onsite rental center. It is centrally located and connects to the airport terminals via the AirTrain, which runs 24/7.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: 1.5 to 2-hour drive depending on traffic. If you are traveling during rush hour, be prepared for traffic in the Bay Area.
✈️ San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

🍷 Wine Gal Tip: If you can avoid SFO, I would. It’s busy and there is usually a lot of traffic getting in and out of the airport. Especially during rush hour! Before booking, I would check flights to Oakland or Sacramento airports first.

3. San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)

Why Fly into Oakland International Airport: OAK is a smaller airport that typically has fewer delays and often cheaper flights than SFO.

Oakland International Airport (OAK) is my go-to airport when traveling domestically and can be a great alternative to San Francisco International.

Located a similar distance from Napa as SFO, OAK allows you to bypass much of the city and bridge traffic.

Another major perk of flying from Oakland International to Napa Valley is there are a lot of budget airlines. Southwest is the largest airline at Oakland International and accounts for the majority of the passenger traffic.

The car rental center, just a five minute drive from the airport, is easily accessible via a 24-hour shuttle that runs every 10 minutes or less.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: 1.5 to 2-hour drive depending on traffic.
✈️ San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK)

🍷 Wine Gal Tip: If you rent a car in Oakland DO NOT fill up gas near the airport. Unfortunately, numerous robberies have been targeting rental cars at the gas stations along Hegenberger Road and 98th Avenue.

4. Sonoma County Airport – Charles M. Schultz (STS)

Why Fly into Sonoma County Airport: It is the closest airport to Napa Valley that offers flights from commercial airlines.

If you can find a nonstop flight, I recommend flying into Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa. It’s a small, hassle-free airport just an hour’s drive from downtown Napa Valley. Plus, with onsite car rentals, pickup and drop-off are quick and easy.

You can find nonstop flights from San Diego, Burbank, Los Angeles, Reno, Orange County, Portland, Seattle, Dallas, Denver, Phoneix, and San Francisco.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: 1 hour drive depending on traffic.
✈️ Sonoma County Airport – Charles M. Schultz (STS)

5. San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Why Fly into San Jose International Airport: If you find a flight for a great price that works with your itinerary.

San Jose International Airport (SJC) is another option in the Bay Area, though it’s the farthest from Napa Valley. Despite the distance, it offers a reasonable drive and many nonstop flights.

For car rentals, SJC has a center with 12 companies. It’s located across from Terminal B, with a shuttle available from Terminal A.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: 2 to 2.5 hour drive depending on traffic.
✈️ San Jose International Airport (SJC)

🍷 Wine Gal Tip: If you do not want to rent a car, there is an Amtrak only 10 minutes away from the airport. It is about a 3 hour and 15-minute train ride from Santa Clara to downtown Napa.

6. JetSuiteX – Oakland or Concord (JSX)

Why Fly with JetSuiteX: This is your best option if you are looking for luxury on a budget. And you save tons of time avoiding the hassle of crowds and lines from the airport.

Many people traveling to Napa Valley do not know that JetSuiteX is also available and could be a convenient option when flying into the Bay Area. They have locations in Concord at Buchanan Field or a private terminal near Oakland International Airport.

JSX is a hop-on jet service that provides lavish flights at an affordable price. Also, a massive perk of flying with JSX is you only need to arrive 20 minutes before your flight.

It is definitely worth checking out! We have flown with JetSuiteX in the past, and during peak travel season have even found tickets cheaper than flying basic economy.

Car rentals are partnered with JSX and available upon arrival at Oakland with a reservation or onsite at the Concord location.

✈️ JSX Flys From the Following Destinations: Austin, Burbank, Concord, Dallas-Love Field, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Monterey/Carmel, Oakland, Orange County, Phoenix, Reno/Tahoe, and San Diego

7. Napa County Airport (APC)

Why Fly into Napa County Airport: Perfect for those chartering a plane or for pilots who own their own aircraft.

Napa County Airport, known as the “Skyport to the Wine Country,” is the closest airport to Napa Valley wineries, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Napa.

While you can fly into Napa County Airport, it’s only accessible via charter flights or private aircraft, with no commercial airlines allowed.

Another downside is there are no onsite car rentals, so you’ll need to arrange an Uber or Lyft to your hotel.

However, starting July 3rd through November 2025, JSX is offering nonstop flights directly to Napa County Airport (APC) from Burbank and Orange County.

This new route is a game-changer for SoCal travelers looking to skip the hassle and get straight to the heart of wine country.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: a 15 minute drive
✈️ Napa County Airport (APC)

8. Buchanan Field Airport (CCR)

Why Fly into Buchanan Field Airport: If you are flying with JetSuiteX (JSX) or chartering a plane/own an aircraft.

Like Napa County Airport, Buchanan Field Airport caters exclusively to charter flights and private aircraft, with no commercial airline service.

The key difference is that JSX operates at Buchanan, offering affordable luxury flights that put you just an hour’s drive from Napa Valley wineries.

There is a car rental center located onsite at the Buchanan Field Airport in Concord.

🚗 Distance from Napa Valley: 45 minute – 1 hour drive depending on traffic
✈️ Buchanan Field Airport (CCR)

Planning on Bringing Wine Home With You?

One of the best things you can do after visiting Napa Valley is bring home the wine you loved.

Many wineries offer shipping, but if they don’t ship to your state or you’ve collected bottles from different spots, wine shipping centers in Napa can help.

A cheaper option if you’re flying with Alaska Airlines, they let you check a case of wine for free with their Wine Flies Free program, and Southwest offers two free checked bags, perfect for packing wine in a secure travel box.

🌟 My Recommendation: Best Airport to Fly into For Napa Valley

The best airport for you to fly into depends on numerous factors including budget and your departing destination.

But if you can, I recommend flying into Sacramento International Airport over some of the other major airports.

This is because SAC is known for its stress-free experience and exceptional reliability.

However, I would always check flights and prices to San Francisco International Airport and other major airports before booking. SFO is a larger airport and offers more flight options.

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