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South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento bus

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South Lake Tahoe - Sacramento Bus Schedule

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Journey Information

There is one daily bus from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. Traveling by bus from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento usually takes around 3 hours and 13 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak Thruway bus can make the trip in 3 hours and 5 minutes.

Distance85 mi (137 km)
Shortest duration3h 5m
Cheapest price$34.00
Trips per day2
Most frequent serviceAmtrak Thruway
Bus lines1

Bus Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Average score for buses from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento

(Based on 6 ratings and reviews)

4.8

4.0

Boonyakiat

March 11, 2021

Amtrak Thruway

Arrived on time

5.0

Keith

November 19, 2019- Solo travel

Amtrak Thruway

Bus was nearly empty. Nice music playing.

5.0

Sara

October 8, 2019- Visiting friends

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Gorgeous and comfy ride. Cons: It was perfect. Tips: This is the only way to travel from Tahoe to Sacramento.

5.0

Deborah

August 8, 2019- Visiting family

Amtrak Thruway

Pros: Great driver very comfortable after a great time I'm glad I can just leave the driving to him I can even sleep and it's so nice 2 ride and be able to visit family. Cons: Maybe $10 cheaper otherwise nothing. Tips: Yeah go for it it's great.

What bus companies travel from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento?

There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. Amtrak Thruway is the only company that has bus schedules available to search and book at the moment. It only makes the trip once a day on most days.

BusDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak Thruway13h 13m$34.00
  • Amtrak Thruway, also known as Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach, is a system of intercity passenger buses operated by Amtrak to connect train stations to areas that are not served by the carrier’s railroads. On the bus, passengers can enjoy comfortable reclining seats with leg rests and access to onboard restroom facilities. Amtrak Thruway bus tickets from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento start at $34. On average, there are 1 Amtrak Thruway bus trips on this route every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bus takes an average of 3 hours and 13 minutes to cover the 85 miles from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. However, the fastest bus only takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.

The busiest and least busy days to travel on this route tend to change frequently from week to week. Weather, holidays, local events, and other factors can affect how crowded the bus is on any given day.

There is usually only one bus per day from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. It leaves the station in South Lake Tahoe at 1:00pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.

There is usually only one bus per day from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento. Fortunately, this happens to be a direct bus, meaning that you do not have to get on a different bus at any point during your trip.

Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento; ticket prices start at $34.00.

City Information

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Station Information

Where does the bus leave from in South Lake Tahoe?

Main departure station: South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd

South Lake Tahoe has two bus stations with service to Sacramento.

All bus stations in South Lake Tahoe:

  • South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd

  • Transp Ctr

Where does the bus arrive in Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

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Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

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Main arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

All bus stations in Sacramento:

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

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