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How to get fromLake Tahoe to Santa Cruzby taxi, plane, train, bus, bus (Amtrak), or car

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There are 4 ways to get from Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz by taxi, plane, train, bus, bus (Amtrak), or car

Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.

  1. Taxi, fly to San Francisco International Airport, Caltrain, bus

    best
    1. Take the taxi from Sand Harbor Visitors Center to Reno-Airport-RNOtaxi taxi
    2. Fly from Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane RNO - SFO
    3. Take the train from Millbrae Caltrain Southbound to San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    4. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    4h 36m
    $356–660

  2. Drive 247.7 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Sand Harbor to Santa Cruzcar car 247.7 mi
    5h 14m
    $46–66

  3. Bus

    1. Take the bus from Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar to San Jose Park and Ridebus bus Northstar
    2. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus 17
    9h 38m
    $110–116

  4. Taxi, fly to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, bus

    1. Take the taxi from Sand Harbor Visitors Center to Reno-Airport-RNOtaxi taxi
    2. Fly from Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC)plane plane RNO - SJC
    3. Take the bus from Diridon Station to Soquel Ave & Frontbus bus
    3h 53m
    $507–728

Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flights

Calendar41Weekly Planes
Duration1h 20mAverage Duration
Ticket$26Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 294 mi
  • Duration: 4h 36m

What companies run services between Lake Tahoe, CA, USA and Santa Cruz, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Sand Harbor Visitors Center to Soquel Ave & Front via Hwy 28 at Raley's Shopping Center, Hwy 28 at Stateline Rd, Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar, San Jose Park and Ride, Tamien Caltrain Northbound, San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound, and Diridon Station in around 9h 38m.

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