COVID-19 Travel Guide
Learn more ›
Wanderu Logo
United States flag
$
Log in

Compare train tickets from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe

switcheroo

San Francisco-South Lake Tahoe Train Schedule

No preview is currently available. Please try another date or search the full schedule.

Trip Summary

How much are train tickets from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe?

Lowest Price$59.00
Fastest Train5h 0m
Trains Per Day1
Train Lines1

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to travel by train from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe right now?

We stand behind CDC guidelines that caution passengers against non-essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak. That said, we recognize not everyone is in a position to completely abstain. Whether it’s for work, to take care of family or to get back home, some circumstances inevitably require travel. If you’re one of those individuals who still needs to book a trip, you can continue to do so on Wanderu.

Know that most train companies are still running at this time, though some have limited service. Visit our COVID-19 travel guide for resources and daily updates on the coronavirus and COVID travel restrictions.

In order to keep vehicles as clean and sanitized as possible, train companies are taking extra precautions for coronavirus. For details on what various companies are doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.

Can you take a train all the way from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe?

While the train is the main method of transportation from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a bus or express shuttle.

What is the price of a train ticket from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe?

In the last month, $59.00 was the average price of a train ticket from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA. You are more likely to find a ticket at this price or lower if you book online in advance of your travel date.

How long is the train journey from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe?

The distance between San Francisco and South Lake Tahoe is approximately 155 miles, or 249 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 3 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 5 hours,

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.

When are trains the most crowded?

Trains from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

When are the first and last trains of the day?

Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Francisco at 8:00am and arrives in South Lake Tahoe around 5 hours later.

Is there a direct train from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe?

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 San Francisco.

Which train should you take from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe?

Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects San Francisco, California to South Lake Tahoe, California. 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.

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak15h 4m$59.00

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

There is one train station in San Francisco:

  • 425 Mission St

Where is the train station in South Lake Tahoe?

South Lake Tahoe has one train station:

  • South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd

Price trends for trains from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe

Monthly average prices

$75$60$45$30$15ONDJFMAMJJAS

Prices as travel date approaches

$75$60$45$30$153020100

train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA
4.8
Based on 4 ratings and reviews

Based on 4 reviews
Overview
Users that traveled with Amtrak report that they were happy with the WiFi on board 50 percent of the time.
Ratings (Out of 5)
Comfort
4.3
Staff
4.8
Value
3.3
Condition
4.0
Richard
5.0
February 17, 2020Vacation
Pros
The train ride it was my first ride on Capitol Corridor. It was very pleasant. It gives me a new way to transit to South Lake Tahoe.
Cons
Nothing
Tips
Check it out as an option to travel car free.
Kevin
5.0
December 23, 2019Vacation
Pros
Traveled on amtrak from bus transfer to train transfer to bus were pleasant
Tips
Bus or train # may not reflect on booking...double check destination when broading.
Sadia
5.0
July 27, 2019Vacation
Pros
Very nice and awesome.
Cons
The booking process gave me issues because it sent confirmation email after 1.5 hours instead of 15 minute. I thoufht my tickets were not confirmed and so I booked them again. I did 2 bookings because of the delayed email amd had to cancle one of them. Please fix that.
Tips
Please be ready to swtich to the next transit quickly as sometimes there's less than 5 minutes to walk and take the next transit of the trip.

Plan your next adventure

Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.

Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more

iPhone
Android
Available on iOS & Android
Lowest PricesWe work directly with hundreds of carriers to find the best available fares.
No Wanderu FeesWe never add any extra fees. We just make it easy to book your travels.
Best Travel OptionsWe help you find & compare the best buses, trains and flights in one place.