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How to get fromSalinas to South Lake Tahoeby bus (Amtrak), train, bus, car, plane, or shuttle

Find Transport to South Lake Tahoe

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There are 7 ways to get from Salinas to South Lake Tahoe by bus (Amtrak), train, bus, car, plane, or shuttle

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

  1. Bus

    best
    1. Take the bus from Salinas to San Josebus bus Amtrak Thruway Connecting Service
    2. Take the bus from San Jose Park and Ride to Heavenly Valley Ski Lodgebus bus Heavenly Ski Lodge
    7h 21m
    $153–169

  2. Drive 253.1 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Salinas to South Lake Tahoecar car 253.1 mi
    5h 2m
    $47–67

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Salinas to Sacramentotrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the bus from Sacramento - Amtrak to South Lake Tahoe Wyebus bus Sac/SLT Connecting Bus
    9h 24m
    $65–138

  4. Train, Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly, bus

    1. Take the train from Salinas to San Josetrain train
    2. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    3. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane SFO - RNO
    4. Take the bus from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Margaritavillebus bus
    8h 8m
    $249–551

  5. Train, bus via Oakland

    1. Take the train from Salinas to Oaklandtrain train
    2. Take the train from Oakland to Sacramentotrain train
    3. Take the bus from Sacramento - Amtrak to South Lake Tahoe Wyebus bus
    9h 29m
    $64–138

  6. Fly from Monterey Regional Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane MRY - RNO
    2. Take the bus from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Margaritavillebus bus
    9h 16m
    $247–642

  7. Shuttle to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly, bus

    1. Take a shuttle bus from Prunedale Park & Ride to SJC Airport Terminal Ashuttle bus
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane SJC - RNO
    3. Take the bus from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Margaritavillebus bus
    7h 15m
    $434–644

Salinas to South Lake Tahoe by train and bus

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration9h 24mAverage Duration
Ticket$65Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Salinas to South Lake Tahoe.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 312.8 mi
  • Duration: 7h 21m

What companies run services between Salinas, CA, USA and South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA?

You can take a bus from Salinas to South Lake Tahoe via San Jose, San Jose Diridon Caltrain Southbound, Tamien Caltrain Southbound, San Jose Park and Ride, and Heavenly Valley Ski Lodge in around 7h 21m.

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Train operators
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