4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA
Cheapest price
$74
Average price
$74
Fastest journey
5 h 30 m
Average duration
5 h 30 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
248 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA will cost around $74 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $74.
Of the 2 buses that leave San Francisco, CA for South Lake Tahoe, CA on Wed, Aug 26, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Aug 26 the direct buses cover the 248 km distance in an average of 5 h 30 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 30 m .
On Wed, Aug 26 the slowest buses will take 5 h 30 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
3:45 PM5h30San Francisco, CA9:15 PMSouth Lake Tahoe, CA$741One-way0 transfers- 2:45 PM5h30San Francisco, CA8:15 PMSouth Lake Tahoe, CA$741One-way0 transfers
- 3:45 PM5h30San Francisco, CA9:15 PMSouth Lake Tahoe, CA$741One-way0 transfers
- 2:45 PM5h30San Francisco, CA8:15 PMSouth Lake Tahoe, CA$741One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $73. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 10m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $73, and a flight costs an average of $102.
Distance: 154 miles (248 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Flight |
|---|---|
$77 Average price Cheapest | $337 Average price |
4h 49m Average total duration 4h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 10m Average total duration Fastest 1h 10m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA:
A bus is $260 (€210) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA costing on average $337 (€272).
Other travel options to South Lake Tahoe, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 4h 19m.
San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:00AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 6h15 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:15AM | Arrival Time 01:15PM | Duration 6h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $83 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:58PM | Arrival Time 08:15PM | Duration 5h17 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $77 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:45PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 5h30 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $74 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:58PM | Arrival Time 09:15PM | Duration 5h17 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $73 |
Live departures
San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA buses for today, Tuesday, August 25. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6624 AMTRAK · 524 Capitol Corridor · 3624 AMTRAK | 7:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 6h15 | 1:15 PM South Lake Tahoe, CA | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA by bus or flight
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Aug 26
Aug 27
Aug 28
Aug 29
Aug 30
Aug 31
Sep 01
Journey information
Overview: Bus from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA
USAUSA
Buses from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 19m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $73 (€59) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 07:21, the last at 14:55. The fastest bus covers the 154 miles (248 km) distance in 5h 17m.
Distance 154 miles (248 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 19m |
Cheapest ticket price $73 (€59) |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 5h 17m |
First bus 7:21 AM |
Last bus 2:55 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 5 days |
FAQs: Bus from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at South Lake Tahoe, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- Emerald Bay State Park, a scenic park known for its stunning views of Emerald Bay and the historic Vikingsholm mansion
- Heavenly Mountain Resort, a popular ski resort offering winter sports and panoramic gondola rides
- Tallac Historic Site, a collection of preserved estates showcasing early 20th-century architecture and history
- Taylor Creek Visitor Center, an educational center with nature trails and a stream profile chamber
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park, a park straddling California and Nevada with hiking trails and views of Lake Tahoe.
- Lake Tahoe Boat Cruises, offering picturesque tours of the lake's crystal-clear waters
- South Lake Tahoe Beaches, providing sandy shores and opportunities for swimming and picnicking
- Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, a family-friendly ski resort with diverse terrain and snow activities
- Lake Tahoe Golf Course, offering a scenic golfing experience amidst the mountains
- Explore the local dining scene, featuring a variety of restaurants with lakeside views and diverse cuisines.
Most popular bus connections from San Francisco, CA
More options for your journey from San Francisco, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from South Lake Tahoe, CA and San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections to South Lake Tahoe, CA
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