Question 1

Is it safe to travel by train from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Accepted Answer

Our train partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, train carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
In addition, federal law requires all train passengers to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the trip. Please make sure you are wearing a face mask or you may not be allowed to board the train.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

When are trains the most crowded?

Accepted Answer

Trains from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe are the most crowded on Friday. 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 Monday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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 13 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.

Question 8

When are the first and last trains of the day?

Accepted Answer

Most days, there is only one train which leaves San Francisco at 7:00am and arrives in South Lake Tahoe around 5 hours later.

Question 9

Where is the train station in South Lake Tahoe?

Accepted Answer

South Lake Tahoe receives travelers from San Francisco at its two active train stations:

Question 10

Where is the train station in San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

There is one train station in San Francisco:

Question 11

Prices as travel date approaches

Accepted Answer

Since the average price of train trips from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe remains pretty consistent throughout the year, there’s no need to book your tickets too far in advance. However, we still recommend you purchase your train tickets at least 48 hours ahead of departure time to avoid surprise last-minute surges and the risk of the train selling out.

Question 12

Average prices by travel date

Accepted Answer

Over the next four weeks, the average daily price of train tickets to South Lake Tahoe from San Francisco is expected to remain pretty much the same. As a result, a one-way train trip will cost about  regardless of the day you pick to travel.

Question 13

Monthly average prices

Accepted Answer

Traveling from San Francisco to South Lake Tahoe by train will cost you about the same regardless of the time of year for which you plan your trip. In general, train ticket prices for that route don’t fluctuate much throughout the year, so expect to pay around  whenever you decide to board the train to South Lake Tahoe.

Question 14

Need a return trip from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco?

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.

Accepted Answer

With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free and with no additional fees. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.

Lowest price	$59.00
Fastest train	5h 0m
Trains per day	1
Train lines	1

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