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 15 hours and 20 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 15 hours and 10 minutes.
| Distance | 313 mi (503 km) |
| Fastest train | 15h 10m |
| Lowest price | PLN 363.40 |
| 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 | 15h 20m | PLN 363.40 |
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 0 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from PLN 363.
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 15 hours and 20 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 15 hours and 10 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.
Friday 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 Friday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Friday 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 15 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: Transp Ctr
South Lake Tahoe receives travelers from Santa Barbara at its two active train stations.
All train stations in South Lake Tahoe:
Transp Ctr
South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd
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 Phoenix
PLN 596+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Berkeley
PLN 259+
- Santa Barbara to Carpinteria Train
PLN 30+
- Santa Barbara to Emeryville Train
PLN 306+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Fresno
PLN 301+
- Santa Barbara to Lompoc Train
PLN 85+
- Santa Barbara to Los Angeles Train
PLN 102+
- Santa Barbara to Oxnard Train
PLN 63+
- Santa Barbara to Paso Robles
PLN 200+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Diego
PLN 163+
- Santa Barbara to San Francisco Train
PLN 317+
- Train from Santa Barbara to San Jose
PLN 326+
- Santa Barbara to Santa Ana Train
PLN 137+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Santa Rosa
PLN 325+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Simi Valley
PLN 85+
- Santa Barbara to Ventura Train
PLN 63+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Portland
PLN 744+
- Train from Santa Barbara to Seattle
PLN 840+
Continue by train from South Lake Tahoe
Check out these popular routes
- Toronto to Vancouver
PLN 2,066+
- Québec to Montreal
PLN 167+
- Los Angeles to Las Vegas
PLN 613+
- Los Angeles to Las Vegas
PLN 430+
- Los Angeles to Seattle Train
PLN 822+
- Train from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale
PLN 139+
- Train from Tampa to Miami
PLN 151+
- Train from Chicago to St Louis
PLN 193+
- Chicago to New York Train
PLN 1,191+
- Train from Boston to Philadelphia
PLN 790+
- Raleigh to Charlotte Train
PLN 115+
- Buffalo to New York Train
PLN 300+
- New York to Chicago Train
PLN 1,171+
- Train from New York to Pittsburgh
PLN 413+
- Philadelphia to Boston Train
PLN 852+
- Train from Seattle to Los Angeles
PLN 786+
- Train from Seattle to Baltimore
PLN 2,352+
- Seattle to New York Train
PLN 3,335+
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.