KEY TAKEAWAYS

The best way to get from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe is by car, which takes an average of 2 hours, covering roughly 113 miles.
If you’re traveling without a car, you can take the bus, train, or plane, depending on your budget or time constraints.
Taking the bus is the cheapest and most direct option; the train (Amtrak) is more comfortable but takes more time and requires a transfer while hopping on a flight costs the most.

The drive from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe is relatively short if you plan to rent or drive your own car, but this isn’t always possible, especially if you are on vacation.

The challenge is finding the best Sacramento to Lake Tahoe transportation options, which range from trains to local buses.

As a huge fan of Lake Tahoe, I have traveled countless times to the lake’s gorgeous shores and used every imaginable way to get there for a day of hiking or snowboarding.

I created this list of the best options for getting to Lake Tahoe so you can focus on the other essential details, like where to stay and eat.

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4 Best Ways to Get From Sacramento to Lake Tahoe

If you don’t know how to get from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe without a car, here are four options that you can choose from.

The fastest option is renting a car and driving there. For those who prioritize space and comfort, traveling by train is a great option, but it’ll take you longer than hopping on a bus.

Traveling by bus can take you to Lake Tahoe in under three hours depending on whether you’re heading to the South shore or the North shore.

Ridesharing is a great option if you don’t mind traveling with strangers and have flexible travel plans.

	Length of Time	Cost
Bus	2:30 hrs – ~ 3 hrs	$21-34
Train	4 hrs	$35-$44
Carpool	2 hrs – 3 hrs	Cost of gas split amongst riders
Rental Car	~2 hrs – 2:30 hrs	Cost of gas

1. Bus from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe

Travel Time: 2:30 hrs
Cost: $21 – $34

The cheapest Sacramento to Lake Tahoe transportation option on this list is by bus with two options available depending on which side of the lake you are traveling to.

The earliest arrival time for both bus companies is in the early afternoon so make sure to plan accordingly.

El Dorado Transit

Cost: $34
Departing From: Sacramento Valley Station
Drop-off Location: South Lake Tahoe – Stateline Transit Center
Services Onboard: Wheelchair, bike racks, Wi-Fi
Departure/Arrival Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Taking the El Dorado Transit Bus to South Lake Tahoe from Sacramento is the cheapest and most direct option.

The bus will leave the Sacramento Valley Station at 10:00 a.m. and arrives at the Stateline Transit Center at 12:30 p.m.

The Stateline Transit Center is right by Heavenly Village, meaning you can easily walk to many accommodations that are less than ten minutes away.

El Dorado Transit partnered with Amtrak so that you can book your ticket in advance through Amtrak’s website. Only one bus goes to South Lake Tahoe daily, so make sure you don’t miss it.

Coming back to Sacramento

Book your tickets in advance through Amtrak’s website and take the 1:25 p.m. bus at Stateline Transit Center. This bus will arrive at Sacramento Valley Station at 4:45 p.m.

If you’re traveling on weekdays or holidays, the bus to Sacramento will leave at 2:35 p.m. and will arrive at 5:55 p.m.

Greyhound

Cost: $21
Travel Time: Bus (2:40 hrs) + TART Bus (28 mins) = ~3:10 hours
Departing From: Greyhound Sacramento Bus Station
Drop-off Location: Greyhound Truckee Bus Station
Services Onboard: Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining leather seats, extra legroom, restroom, onboard entertainment
Departure Times: 10:35 a.m., 6:55 p.m.

If you need to travel from Sacramento to North Lake Tahoe, then hopping on the Greyhound bus is your best option.

You want to take the bus heading to Truckee which runs two daily trips. We recommend taking the 10:35 a.m. bus so you can arrive at Kings Beach by 1:55 p.m., which is the earliest arrival time.

From the Greyhound Sacramento Bus Station, hop on the 10:35 a.m. bus that will stop by Roseville and Colfax before arriving at Truckee Bus Station at 1:15 p.m. You can book your ticket here.

Book your bus ticket here

From the Truckee Bus Station to Lake Tahoe

At Truckee Bus Station, you’ll have to transfer to the Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) bus. The station has a waiting area, restrooms, and paid parking.

From there, ride the Highway 267 Route bus, which is free to all passengers. It leaves every hour, with the first trip at 7:00 a.m. and the last trip at 5:00 p.m.

It will take about 28 minutes to get to Northstar Village Gate #8 and 53 minutes to get to Kings Beach.

Since you’ll arrive at Truckee Station at 1:15 p.m., there’s a 45-minute gap before the 2:00 p.m. TART bus leaves. This gap gives you a cushion in case you get stuck in traffic along the way so you don’t miss this connection.

sacramento to tahoe train — Sacramento to Lake Tahoe Train

2. Sacramento to Lake Tahoe by Train (Amtrak)

Travel Time: Train (3:30 hrs) + TART Bus (28 mins) = 4 hrs
Cost: $35-$44
Departing from: Sacramento Valley Station
Drop-off Location: Truckee Amtrak Station
Services Onboard: Seating options, air-conditioning, onboard dining, Wi-Fi, desk, power outlets, restrooms, bicycle-friendly, wheelchair and ADA accessible
Departure/Arrival Time: 11:09 am – 2:38 pm

Compared to the Greyhound Bus, this is the more expensive option that arrives an hour later at the same location. However, if you’re after the services, onboard the train.

From Sacramento Valley Station, board the 11:09 a.m. train, which will stop by Roseville and Colfax before arriving at Truckee Amtrak Station at 2:38 p.m. You’ll be taking the TART to North Lake Tahoe from here.

Local Tip: After purchasing your Amtrak ticket on their website, you’ll receive your eTicket as a PDF attachment to your emailed receipt. You can just show the eTicket barcode and your ID to the conductor instead of printing it out.

3. Carpool via a Facebook Group

Cost: Cost of gas split amongst riders

Another way to get from Sacramento to Tahoe without driving is carpooling. This Tahoe Carpool and Lodging (SF) group leaves from San Francisco, but you could ask to arrange a pick-up from Sacramento.

Because you’re carpooling, the cost of gas will be split amongst riders. However, it might take you a long time to find companions heading to Lake Tahoe at your chosen date and time.

Some people here are looking for ways to get to Tahoe to go skiing or snowboarding, so this group is an excellent option if you’re also planning to hit the slopes.

4. Rental Car

There are two routes you can take to get from Sacramento to Tahoe.

If you’re visiting North Lake Tahoe, I-80 to Highway 89 or 267 will take you to Tahoe City or Kings Beach. Highway 50 is the direct way to get to South Lake Tahoe.

Highway 50 is a great route as it is more scenic than I-80, but it has windy sections and lower speed limits.

I-80 is more straightforward, with only a few scenic spots, but it has higher speed limits and better opportunities for pit stops.

If you’re renting a car to drive from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe in winter, tire chains are a must especially if your car isn’t a four-wheel drive with snow tires.

Make sure to check the weather and road conditions by dialing 511 within Nevada or visiting their website before driving.

❗❗ Do you want to find the best deals on rental cars? Check out RentalCars.com and compare the best rates from the biggest rental car companies. Find out the car rental age in California.

FAQs

Is there a shuttle from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe?

No, there isn’t. You can get there by riding a train, taking a bus, carpooling, or renting a car. If you’re visiting Lake Tahoe without a car, the best and fastest way to get there would be to ride the bus or rent a car.

Does Amtrak go from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe?

No, it doesn’t. From Sacramento Valley Station, you can only ride the Amtrak until Truckee Bus Station.

You have to hop on the Highway 267 Route TART bus that will take you to North Lake Tahoe. The whole trip is about 4 hours long.

How far is Sacramento from Tahoe?

From Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe, the driving distance is 105 miles and will take about 2 hours in good conditions. The driving distance to North Lake Tahoe is 113 miles and would take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Whether you’re visiting Tahoe for the snow or its beautiful beaches, the drive is definitely scenic.

Wrap-Up: Sacramento to Lake Tahoe

Now that you know the different options to travel from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe, you can focus more on creating the perfect itinerary for your upcoming trip to the lake.

Don’t forget to check the weather, plan your outfits, and enjoy the beautiful views that Lake Tahoe offers.

Related:

How to Get from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe [By Bus, Train, Car]