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There is one daily train from Oakland to South Lake Tahoe. Traveling by train from Oakland to South Lake Tahoe usually takes 5 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 5 hours and 6 minutes.
| Distance | 147 mi (236 km) |
| Fastest train | 5h 6m |
| Lowest price | $66.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Oakland to South Lake Tahoe
(Based on 2 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Over all it's easy and nice. Both train and bus has bathroom. Cons: 1. At train station it's very confusing to find the correct track to get on train. 2. Bus seats are very narrow/small. Tips: Need to arrive early to find some strain station staff to ask which track to wait for train. From Sac to Tahoe some area the road is under construction, expect some waiting time(adds together total 40-60minites).
5.0
Pros: The comfort and ease of travel. Cons: Amtrak was a bit late.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Oakland to South Lake Tahoe. Furthermore, there is only one train per day, so you will have to plan your travel around this limited availability. On the other hand, you won't have to spend a ton of time comparing a bunch of possible options.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 1 | 5h 23m | $66.00 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 1 Amtrak trains from Oakland to South Lake Tahoe every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $66.
The distance between Oakland and South Lake Tahoe is approximately 147 miles, or 236 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours and 6 minutes.
Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Trains departing from Oakland to South Lake Tahoe tend to have the most passengers on Wednesday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Wednesday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Sunday as the least number of people tend to travel then.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Oakland at 7:00am and arrives in South Lake Tahoe around 5 hours later.
Typically there is only one scheduled train per day. However, it is not a direct train. This means that you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train at some point during your journey. You will need to remember to bring your carry-on luggage with you when you transfer trains. Depending on the carrier's policy, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage.
You can also take a train for your return trip from South Lake Tahoe to Oakland.
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.
Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.
It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attribution
Image credit: David Wilson
Link to image attributionThe Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and San Joaquins trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.
245 Second St
Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave
South Lake Tahoe receives travelers from Oakland at its two active train stations.
Transp Ctr
South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd
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