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Trip Summary
2 trains operate daily from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz. The train trip from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz is usually about 11 hours and 33 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 8 hours and 2 minutes.
Distance | 176 mi (283 km) |
Fastest train | 8h 2m |
Lowest price | SEK 901.34 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
Price trends for trains from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz
Monthly avg. prices
Which train should you take from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz. The schedule is relatively limited as the train only runs twice a day.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 2 | 11h 34m | SEK 901.98 |
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 2 Amtrak trains from South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 2 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from SEK 901.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between South Lake Tahoe and Santa Cruz is approximately 176 miles, or 283 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 11 hours and 33 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 2 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 South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz. 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 Wednesday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs South Lake Tahoe at 1:00pm while the last train of the day leaves at 1:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
Trains leave the station in South Lake Tahoe twice a day, so there are a couple of options depending on your preferred travel time. However, there are no direct trains. 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 change 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 Santa Cruz to South Lake Tahoe.
City Information
Station Information
Where is the train station in South Lake Tahoe?
Main departure station: South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd
There are two stations in South Lake Tahoe where you can board the train to Santa Cruz.
All train stations in South Lake Tahoe:
South Y Transit Ctr - 1000 Emerald Bay Rd
Transp Ctr
Where is the train station in Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
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- South Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz