Tahoe by Public Transit? How to Get There by Train or Bus — and How to Get Around When You’re There

For many people, one of the best parts about living in the Bay Area is its proximity to Lake Tahoe — for endless skiing, hiking and beach-laying opportunities, just a few hours away.

But anyone who’s a Tahoe regular knows that fighting traffic — both en route to the region and while you’re there — is often the worst part of the visit.

And with many Tahoe-area ski resorts also now requiring hard-to-get parking reservations on weekends and holidays, you might be extra tempted to investigate taking public transit to the region instead.

So if you’re looking for a car-free alternative to visiting Tahoe, keep reading for what to know about getting to — and then getting around — Tahoe without a car.

• Jump straight to: Once I’m there, how can I get around Tahoe without a car?

Method #1: Taking the train to Tahoe

For a smooth ride that offers beautiful views, you can take the California Zephyr, an Amtrak train, from Emeryville or Richmond and get off at Truckee.

The ride takes at least 5 hours, so bring a book or podcast and just enjoy the scenery as you glide up to the Sierra. 

One-way train tickets range from around $30 to $50 each, depending on demand, putting your total trip cost to around $100.

What else to know about taking the train to Tahoe:

This train runs just once per day

The Zephyr leaves the Bay Area or Truckee in the morning with no additional services — so make sure this kind of inflexibility fits your schedule before booking. 

The eastbound route leaves Richmond at 8:35 a.m., and the westbound Zephyr departs Truckee at 10:33 a.m. each day.

Once you get in the mountains, hang out in the observation car 

The California Zephyr’s observation car is one of the most beautiful, wholesome places I have ever been.

So if you’re on the fence about taking the train to Tahoe — maybe you’re concerned that some of the hassle isn’t worth it — let those views be the one reason that convinces you to switch things up.

To make sure you get a prime seat in time for the scenic mountain views, consider ditching your seat a bit early, around the Roseville stop on the way up, to find a seat in the observation car: a special car with large windows and swiveling seats, where you can make the most of the mountain views. 

Don’t expect to work or get too much done in the observation car. This space tends to have somewhat of a calm, sacred air about it, with passengers actually tuned into their surroundings and even chatting casually with strangers. You might see lots of kids and retirees filling the seats and commingling over the sweeping views. 

All trains have outlets, but there is no WiFi onboard

… and cell service can be spotty along the route. (Another reason you probably won’t get much work done.)

If connecting from BART, use Richmond 

Taking BART to Amtrak? I recommend booking your ticket from Richmond to Truckee rather than Emeryville, as the BART station is conveniently connected to the Amtrak platform, making getting on board pretty seamless.

(But if you’re coming from San Francisco, you’d rather save a few dollars on BART fare, there’s an Amtrak shuttle bus from the Emeryville station to downtown San Francisco, which is included in your ticket.)

Method #2: Taking the ‘ski bus’ to Tahoe

If you want the faster, more reliable option for skiing, take the ski bus. Sports Basement runs its Tahoe ski bus directly from its retail locations across the Bay Area to Palisades Tahoe, Kirkwood, Sierra-at-Tahoe, Northstar, Bear Valley and Sugar Bowl resorts.

Onboard, you can expect outlets, bathrooms and some beverages. Ski buses run rain or shine, but they are affected by traffic and road closures. Round-trip tickets on the ski bus are around $100.

What else to know about taking the ski bus:

It’s a weekend-only option — and for the day only

Buses depart at 5 a.m. from the Bay Area and leave the resort at around 4 p.m. after lifts close. But these buses don’t run on weekdays, and while you can theoretically take the bus one way, you’ll have to pay the price of a round-trip ticket regardless.

And your ticket is only valid for the same day, so if you wanted to stay overnight and get the next day’s afternoon ski bus, you’d need to pay for two round-trip tickets.

Your ticket could get you cheaper skiing

Bus tickets come with discounted lift tickets from some participating ski resorts.

Sports Basement also offers discounted 4-pack ski bus tickets if you plan on using this travel method multiple times in the season. 

Method #3: Taking the train + bus combo

If you want more flexible timing and don’t mind a transfer, take the Capitol Corridor train to Sacramento — and then the Amtrak bus to Truckee or South Lake Tahoe. 

This way, you’ll get a speedy (and scenic) ride to Sacramento, then hop on the bus for the remainder of your trip.

And because the Capital Corridor runs more frequently than the California Zephyr, and has both morning and afternoon trains that’ll get you into Truckee at around 2 p.m. or 6 p.m., depending on your preference, you can tailor your journey more closely to your needs. This is the most flexible option, with Capital Corridor trains in the morning and afternoon.

What else to know about taking the Capitol Corridor and the Amtrak bus:

There’s onboard WiFi on the train

….unlike on the Zephyr. 

You could save money

Not only is the train portion reliably fast, and the schedule more flexible than the Zephyr, but tickets tend to be cheap. One-way mixed service tickets are around $50 each way, for a total trip cost of $100. 

Yes, the transfer can be a hassle

Especially if you’ve brought a lot of gear for your trip, having to unload your stuff off the train and onto the Amtrak bus is the biggest downside of this travel method.

What else to know about taking public transit to Tahoe 

Expect delays and stay flexible

No matter which option you choose, be aware that weather conditions will affect your journey. 

Because it’s a cross-country train that comes all the way from Chicago, the California Zephyr can be especially prone to severe delays on its westbound route back to the Bay Area.

Meaning that while you should be on time going east to Tahoe, your return trip from Truckee may be many hours behind due to weather elsewhere in the country, even if the Sierra is clear.

The ski bus isn’t immune to delays either — and, unlike the Zephyr, can get caught in busy traffic on Highway 80 during busy weekends.

Don’t plan a flying visit

Unless you’re the Sports Basement bus for the day, you’ll probably have to take off on Friday and Monday to get the most out of a weekend trip. If you’re able to swing remote work, lots of people on the train are working and power outlets are plentiful (but double check beforehand whether your transit method of choice has WiFi – the California Zephyr does not.)

Bring your own food — or expect to pay onboard

No matter which route you go, consider packing your own food for the journey.

It will save you time and stress, and you can think of it like a picnic to enjoy while you watch the scenery slip by.

That said, both the Capitol Corridor and the California Zephyr have cafe cars where you can buy basic meals and beverages. But be warned: the meals, in my experience, tend to be somewhat overpriced for what you get. 

Yes, you can still bring lots of luggage

Don’t worry if you’re bringing your entire family and ski setup — all of the transit options at your disposal have plenty of room for luggage, and are in fact expecting it. 

Most trains and buses also allow you to bring a bike if you’re planning to ride while you’re up at the lake. Just be sure to make a reservation that includes a bike.

And be aware that if you’re choosing the “Capitol Corridor + Amtrak bus” route, you’ll have to transfer yourself and all your stuff onto your next mode of transportation.

Once I’m there, how can I travel around Tahoe on public transit?

What happens once you arrive in Truckee or South Lake Tahoe and you don’t have a car? 

Uber, Lyft and taxis do operate in Tahoe, but wait times can be extremely long, and rides are expensive, so I wouldn’t recommend relying on this option alone. But don’t stress: There are ample transportation options around the lake. 

Bus systems around Tahoe

If you’re around the north shore of Lake Tahoe, near spots like Truckee or Tahoe City, the main bus system you’ll be using is called TART: the Tahoe Area Regional Transportation system.

These routes serve ski resorts like Northstar, Palisades Tahoe and there’s even a shuttle to Sugar Bowl Resort.

On the South Shore, the Tahoe Transportation District also operates a few buses that service South Lake Tahoe and Heavenly Valley Resort.

Just make sure to check schedules well in advance, as many of the routes on both the south and north shores run infrequently — typically once per hour or every half hour at peak times, so don’t miss your ride.

However, your patience and flexibility will be rewarded: Both transit systems are entirely free to ride.

If your accommodations are flexible, consider staying near a TART or TTD stop so you can hop directly on the bus from your hotel or rental home.

‘Microtransit’ routes and shuttles

If you’re far away from a main bus stop, or just want more flexible options, there are now also several so-called microtransit options around the lake. 

One is the TART Park and Ride program, said Sara Van Siclen, executive director of the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association.

These shuttles get skiers from the transit centers in places like Tahoe City and Truckee to ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe and Northstar on weekends and Sugar Bowl Resort every day all winter long, with added shuttles on holiday weekends. There are no reservations required, and the shuttles are completely free.

“With the implementation of parking reservations at the resorts, this has just helped get people who already know that they don’t have a place to go to have another option to get to the resort,” Van Siclen said. “And it’s helped reduce some of the traffic that we see, especially on that [Highway] 89 corridor.”

In South Lake Tahoe, free on-demand service Lake Link takes passengers from downtown as far as Zephyr Cove.

Just download the app and request a ride — but make sure you do so with some time buffer, to avoid waiting too long.

In the North Shore, TART Connect can take you around Truckee, Tahoe City and Kings Beach. This microtransit option is zone-based, so you won’t be able to get between the cities themselves using microtransit. 

(One thing to know: TART Connect is no longer available in Incline Village because of a lapse in funding, so if you’re staying in Incline, you’ll have to rely on the main TART bus routes only.)

And if you’re staying in Olympic Valley or Alpine Meadows to access Palisades Tahoe, you can call a free Mountaineer shuttle to get you to the resort and, in the evenings, between its two base areas. (To get out to Truckee or Tahoe City, you’ll have to use TART Connect.)

All of these microtransit options, Van Siclen said, are meant to be “curb to curb” services connecting transit riders to bus stops that can then get them anywhere they’d like to go.

Or, if you’re just trying to make a short trip — for example, to a dinner reservation — she said, microtransit can get you there.

And if you’ve decided to fly in and out of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the North Lake Tahoe Express can take you from the airport to the north shore. One-way shuttles cost $99 per person, and make sure you have a reservation.