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How to get fromSan Francisco to Donner Lakeby bus, train (Amtrak), car, plane, taxi, bus (Greyhound), or train

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There are 7 ways to get from San Francisco to Donner Lake by bus, train (Amtrak), car, plane, taxi, bus (Greyhound), or train

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 via Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar

    best
    1. Take the bus from San Francisco - 16th St to Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstarbus bus Northstar
    4h 18m
    $150–165

  2. Drive 182.5 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from San Francisco to Donner Lakecar car 182.5 mi
    3h 14m
    $34–49

  3. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from Richmond to Truckee Amtrak Stationtrain train California Zephyr
    7h 14m
    $88–164

  4. Fly from San Francisco International Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane SFO - RNO
    2. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Donner Laketaxi taxi
    3h 25m
    $360–672

  5. Bus (Greyhound)

    1. Take the bus from San Francisco Bus Station to Truckeebus bus Greyhound US0870
    5h 52m
    $52–84

  6. Fly from Oakland International Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Oakland International Airport (OAK) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane OAK - RNO
    2. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Donner Laketaxi taxi
    6h 3m
    $251–618

  7. Caltrain to Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, fly, taxi

    1. Take the train from San Francisco Caltrain Southbound to Santa Clara Caltrain Southboundtrain train
    2. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane SJC - RNO
    3. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Donner Laketaxi taxi
    4h 23m
    $542–774

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

Calendar41Weekly Planes
Duration1h 13mAverage Duration
Ticket$34Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Francisco to Donner Lake.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 216.4 mi
  • Duration: 4h 18m

What companies run services between San Francisco, CA, USA and Donner Lake, CA, USA?

Tahoe Ski Trips operates a bus from San Francisco - 16th St to Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar on demand. Tickets cost $95 and the journey takes 4h. Alternatively, Amtrak operates a train from Richmond to Truckee Amtrak Station once daily. Tickets cost $60–130 and the journey takes 5h 26m.

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