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How to get fromSanta Monica to Lake Tahoeby bus, plane, taxi, car, tram, or subway

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There are 4 ways to get from Santa Monica to Lake Tahoe by bus, plane, taxi, car, tram, 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. Line 3 bus to Los Angeles International Airport, fly, taxi

    best
    1. Take the bus from 4Th Sb & Santa Monica Place to LAX/Metro Transit Centerbus bus
    2. Fly from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane LAX - RNO
    3. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Sand Harbor Visitors Centertaxi taxi
    4h 13m
    $441–813

  2. Drive 450.6 mi

    cheapest
    1. Drive from Santa Monica to Sand Harborcar car 450.6 mi
    8h 22m
    $83–119

  3. Tram, subway to Burbank Bob Hope Airport, fly, taxi

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro A & E Linestram tram
    2. Take the subway from 7th Street / Metro Center Station - Metro B & D Lines to North Hollywood Stationsubway subway
    3. Fly from Burbank Bob Hope Airport (BUR) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane BUR - RNO
    4. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Sand Harbor Visitors Centertaxi taxi
    5h 13m
    $634–914

  4. Tram, line 191 bus to Long Beach Airport, fly, taxi

    1. Take the tram from Downtown Santa Monica Station to Pico Stationtram tram
    2. Take the tram from Pico Station to Del Amo Stationtram tram
    3. Take the bus from Del Amo Station Bay 2 to Del Amo & Lakewood SEbus bus
    4. Fly from Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO)plane plane LGB - RNO
    5. Take the taxi from Reno-Airport-RNO to Sand Harbor Visitors Centertaxi taxi
    6h 8m
    $191–506

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) flights

Calendar60Weekly Planes
Duration1h 36mAverage Duration
Ticket$51Cheapest Price
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Questions & Answers

Map of how to get from Santa Monica to Lake Tahoe.ExpandLaunch map view
  • Distance: 440.4 mi
  • Duration: 4h 13m

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

There is no direct connection from Santa Monica to Lake Tahoe. However, you can take the line 3 bus to LAX/Metro Transit Center, walk to Metro Transit Center Bay 2, take the bus to LAX Terminal 1, walk to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) airport, fly to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO), then take the taxi to Sand Harbor Visitors Center. Alternatively, you can drive from Santa Monica to Sand Harbor in around 8h 22m.

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