Cheap train tickets from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Millions of travelers trust Wanderu every year to get:
Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
See what travelers are saying about Wanderu:
Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe Train Schedule
Trip Summary
On most days, there is one scheduled train that travels from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe. The train trip from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe is usually about 14 hours and 35 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 14 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 313 mi (503 km) |
| Fastest train | 14h 25m |
| Lowest price | CZK 2,051.37 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe
Average train ticket prices from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe by month
Which train should you take from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Santa Barbara 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 | 14h 35m | CZK 2,051.37 |
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 Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from CZK 2,051.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe
The distance between Santa Barbara and South Lake Tahoe is approximately 313 miles, or 503 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 14 hours and 35 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 14 hours and 25 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.
Wednesday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Wednesday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Tuesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
Most days, there is only one train which leaves Santa Barbara at 10:00pm and arrives in South Lake Tahoe around 14 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 Santa Barbara.
City Information
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is a major travel destination along the southern coast of California. Dramatically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers incomparable scenery with a comfortably warm climate year-round. White stucco buildings with Mediterranean-style architecture, gorgeous beaches, and upscale local cuisine give Santa Barbara the nickname "The American Riviera."
There are many kinds of vacations to enjoy in Santa Barbara. You can spend days on the soft sand of Leadbetter Beach, surfing in the swells at Rincon Point, or shopping for trinkets along Stearns Wharf. Or embrace the area's history by visiting the Mission Santa Barbara, a Spanish mission founded in 1786. Highlights from the mission include Spanish architecture, a rose garden, a museum, and even crypts.
Santa Barbara Airport, only a few miles from downtown, serves passengers to the region. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops in Santa Barbara on its way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, with plenty of connections to other SoCal hotspots. Intercity buses, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?
Main departure station: 209 State Street
There is one train station in Santa Barbara.
All train stations in Santa Barbara:
209 State Street
Where is the train station in South Lake Tahoe?
Main arrival station: South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd
South Lake Tahoe receives travelers from Santa Barbara at its two active train stations.
All train stations in South Lake Tahoe:
South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd
Transp Ctr
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Barbara?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara to Bakersfield Train
CZK 1,594+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Burbank
CZK 607+
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train
CZK 582+
- Santa Barbara to Martinez Train
CZK 1,597+
- Santa Barbara to Merced
CZK 1,663+
- Santa Barbara to Modesto
CZK 1,675+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Moorpark
CZK 419+
- Santa Barbara to Oakland Train
CZK 1,860+
- Santa Barbara to San Francisco Train
CZK 1,782+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Jose
CZK 1,882+
- Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo
CZK 712+
- Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Train
CZK 774+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Santa Clara
CZK 1,748+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz
CZK 2,735+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Simi Valley
CZK 481+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Stockton
CZK 1,678+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Portland
CZK 5,180+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Seattle
CZK 6,193+
Continue by train from South Lake Tahoe
- Train from South Lake Tahoe to Davis
CZK 900+
- South Lake Tahoe to Fresno Train
CZK 1,468+
- South Lake Tahoe to Los Angeles Train
CZK 2,119+
- South Lake Tahoe to Martinez Train
CZK 1,172+
- South Lake Tahoe to Oakland Train
CZK 1,382+
- South Lake Tahoe to Sacramento Train
CZK 774+
- South Lake Tahoe to San Diego
CZK 2,527+
- Train from South Lake Tahoe to San Francisco
CZK 1,507+
- South Lake Tahoe to San Jose Train
CZK 1,612+
- Train from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz
CZK 1,784+
- South Lake Tahoe to Stockton Train
CZK 906+
Check out these popular routes
- London to Paris
CZK 5,283+
- Hartford to New York
CZK 930+
- New Haven to New York Train
CZK 626+
- Washington D.C. to Newark
CZK 2,387+
- Train from Newark to New York
CZK 1,822+
- Fort Lauderdale to Orlando
CZK 755+
- Train from Tampa to Orlando
CZK 395+
- Raleigh to Charlotte Train
CZK 649+
- Newark to New York
CZK 332+
- New York to Hartford Train
CZK 815+
- New York to New Haven Train
CZK 956+
- Train from New York to Boston
CZK 2,786+
- New York to Albany
CZK 1,391+
- Seattle to Portland Train
CZK 6,392+
- Train from Seattle to Philadelphia
CZK 17,093+
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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. 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.