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

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There are 6 ways to get from San Jose to Donner Lake by bus, subway, train, car, plane, taxi, or train (Amtrak)

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 San Jose Park and Ride to Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstarbus bus Northstar
    5h 18m
    $150–165

  2. Drive 211 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from San Jose to Donner Lakecar car 211 mi
    3h 44m
    $39–56

  3. BART, train

    1. Take the subway from Berryessa / North San Jose to Richmondsubway subway Orange-N
    2. Take the train from Richmond to Truckee Amtrak Stationtrain train California Zephyr
    7h 53m
    $92–170

  4. Caltrain to San Francisco International Airport, fly, taxi

    1. Take the train from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Northbound to Millbrae Caltrain Northboundtrain train
    2. Fly from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane SFO - RNO
    3. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Donner Laketaxi taxi
    4h 5m
    $366–680

  5. Train (Amtrak)

    1. Take the train from San Jose to Sacramentotrain train Capitol Corridor / ...
    2. Take the train from Sacramento to Truckee Amtrak Stationtrain train California Zephyr
    8h
    $102–196

  6. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport, taxi

    1. Fly from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane SJC - RNO
    2. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Donner Laketaxi taxi
    2h 53m
    $582–762

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

Calendar41Weekly Planes
Duration1h 13mAverage Duration
Ticket$35Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from San Jose to Donner Lake.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 264.7 mi
  • Duration: 5h 18m

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

Tahoe Ski Trips operates a bus from San Jose Park and Ride to Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar on demand. Tickets cost $95 and the journey takes 5h. Alternatively, you can take a train from San Jose to Donner Lake via Sacramento and Truckee Amtrak Station in around 8h.

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