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How to get fromSanta Barbara to South Lake Tahoeby bus (Flixbus), train, bus, car, plane, or subway

Find Transport to South Lake Tahoe

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There are 9 ways to get from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe by bus (Flixbus), train, bus, car, plane, or subway

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 Santa Barbara Bus Stop to San Franciscobus bus FlixBus 2005
    2. Take the bus from San Francisco - 16th St to Heavenly Valley Ski Lodgebus bus Heavenly Ski Lodge
    11h 44m
    $184–223

  2. Drive 452.6 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoecar car 452.6 mi
    8h 46m
    $83–120

  3. Train, bus

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Sacramentotrain train Coast Starlight
    2. Take the bus from Sacramento - Amtrak to South Lake Tahoe Wyebus bus Sac/SLT Connecting Bus
    15h 14m
    $145–303

  4. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to Sacramento International Airport, bus

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to Sacramento International Airport (SMF)plane plane SBA - SMF
    2. Take the bus from Sacramento - Amtrak to South Lake Tahoe Wyebus bus
    7h 31m
    $214–493

  5. Bus, train

    1. Take the bus from Santa Barbara to Oaklandbus bus
    2. Take the train from Oakland to Sacramentotrain train
    3. Take the bus from Sacramento - Amtrak to South Lake Tahoe Wyebus bus
    14h 53m
    $150–236

  6. Train to Los Angeles International Airport, fly to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane LAX - RNO
    3. Take the bus from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Margaritavillebus bus
    9h 14m
    $382–767

  7. Train to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Van Nuystrain train
    2. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane BUR - RNO
    3. Take the bus from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Margaritavillebus bus
    8h 57m
    $565–850

  8. Fly Santa Barbara Municipal Airport to San Francisco International Airport, BART, train, bus

    1. Fly from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane plane SBA - SFO
    2. Take the subway from San Francisco International Airport to Richmondsubway subway
    3. Take the train from Richmond to Sacramentotrain train
    4. Take the bus from Sacramento - Amtrak to South Lake Tahoe Wyebus bus
    10h 30m
    $218–510

  9. Train to Long Beach Airport, fly to Reno/Tahoe International Airport, bus

    1. Take the train from Santa Barbara to Los Angelestrain train
    2. Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane LGB - RNO
    3. Take the bus from Reno-Tahoe International Airport to Margaritavillebus bus
    10h 38m
    $126–450

Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe by train and bus

Calendar7Weekly Services
Duration15h 14mAverage Duration
Ticket$145Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Barbara to South Lake Tahoe.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 528.8 mi
  • Duration: 11h 44m

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

You can take a bus from Santa Barbara Bus Stop to South Lake Tahoe via San Francisco, Mission Bay North & 4th St, 16th Street & Rhode Island St, San Francisco - 16th St, and Heavenly Valley Ski Lodge in around 11h 44m.

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Bus operators

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