How To Get To Tahoe Without A Car

Since we focus so much on renting camping gear & renting snow clothes so you don't have to buy it for infrequent use, we thought, why not extend that to cars? Our 'without a car' series of protips is designed to help you get outside without having to drive. While driving can be super convenient, we know it can also be difficult & stressful (traffic in the Bay Area is terrible, few people own a car, no one wants to drive at the end of a long day under the hot sun, and in the winter, you have to deal with chains & highway patrol). Let someone else take care of the logistics, while you just enjoy! Taking transit can be especially fun with a crew of people to hang out with or play games. Or, of course, just take a nap!

First, there are 2 types of options

Public charter buses. These comfy buses take you straight to the resort
Regular public transit. The good 'ol fashioned way, by bus or train

We’ll cover both in this protip. Though honestly, if you're goal is to ski, we recommend the public charter bus option since it drops you off at the resort with no other stops. Please note, the public charter bus section is current for the 2017/18 winter ski season; always plan your trip in advance.

Comparison of different ways to get to Lake Tahoe by transit — TL;DR Comparison table, click to see full size

Public Charter Bus Companies

Allows you to make new skier friends
Provides a much faster/ convenient service direct to the resort, making one-day trips easy
May allow you to book add-ons like lift tickets, rentals, classes, or even lodging at discounted rates
Includes goodies like snacks on board and movies

Tahoe Ski Trips: Practically a tour operator in the diversity of social trips offered (e.g., trips for singles, teens, or families, weekend trips, and even weeklong trips or out-of-state/-country and summer trips). Key bonuses: trips are offered nearly everyday, trips end with après-ski BBQ, and you can book private charters & custom trips. Check out the website here; or call them at 925-680-4386. Disclaimer: Last Minute Gear is a partner of Tahoe Ski Trips, we provide them with deals on rental snow clothes!

Santa Rosa Ski & Sports: Less diversity in offerings, e.g., their trips are 2 weeks apart (which is why one-way isn’t really possible, unless you want to get yourself home). But major key bonus: none of the other options serve the North Bay at all, so if you live near Sonoma, this is your best option. Call them at 707-578-4754

North American Charter (NAC) Ski: A larger selection of add-ons (e.g., tubing, gondola rides, food vouchers) that are as easy as ordering from a menu. Key bonuses: easy one-way pricing, generally cheaper rates, operates in other parts of the US. Call them at 925-230-2086

Regular Public Transit Routes

Won’t get cancelled if there’s not enough people
Takes you to non-resort destinations
By definition, always has an easy one-way option, and more flexible times in general
May be cheaper

Aside from Megabus which has limited stations, Amtrak and Greyhound offer a large diversity of pick up and drop off points both in the Bay Area and the Lake Tahoe Area. The key to keep in mind is, what is your destination, and how will you get from there to the ski resort?

Many ski resorts in Lake Tahoe have their own paid shuttle bus service (check the resort website for details) that ferries people between the resort, and various hotels and stations in both North and South Lake Tahoe and Reno. As well, if you arrive in Truckee, you can take the Tahoe Area Regional Transit (TART) bus system to Squaw, NorthStar, Diamond Peak, and Homewood (the latter 2 require you to make an additional transfer). A one-way ticket on the TART is $1.75. If you end up in South Lake Tahoe, there is not a public bus service, but Heavenly is around 2 miles away, so if you want, you can certainly walk it.

Book online at the websites below, and remember that using either Amtrak or Greyhound, you may need to transfer in between (e.g., with Amtrak, you’ll go from Emeryville to Sacramento, and from Sacramento to your final Tahoe area destination).

For more information on TART fares, schedules and more, click here

Outpost	Regular hours***	Instructions	Driving	Public transit	Bike or scooter
Downtown SF Last Minute Gear 563 Sutter Street	Mo 12am-11:59pm Tu 12am-11:59pm We 12am-11:59pm Th 12am-11:59pm Fr 12am-11:59pm Sa 12am-11:59pm Su 12am-11:59pm	Self-service only; click here for more info. We do NOT have open, walk-in hours like a store anymore!	Many garages nearby (under Union Square or at Sutter/Stockton, etc.), but tend to be pricey Directly outside, multiple curb spaces are marked yellow commercial loading zones Ticketing & towing are very active, especially once the yellow commercial loading zones are paused weekdays 4-6pm!	4 blocks from Powell Street Station for the BART metro and MUNI lightrail	There is a rack directly outside
SOMA SF Game Post SF 689 3rd Street	Mo 12pm-6pm Tu 12pm-6pm We 12pm-6pm Th 12pm-6pm Fr 12pm-6pm Sa 12pm-6pm Su N/A	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!		2 blocks from the 4th & King Street Station for the CalTrain	There is a rack on the same block
Marina SF West Coast Leather 2060 Union Street	Mo 1pm-6pm Tu 1pm-6pm We 1pm-6pm Th 1pm-6pm Fr 1pm-7pm Sa 10am-7pm Su 1pm-6pm	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!	You can pull into the driveway right next to the shop for a few minutes!		There is a rack on the same block
Castro SF Queer Arts Featured 575 Castro Street	Mo N/A Tu N/A We N/A Th 12pm-7pm Fr 12pm-7pm Sa 12pm-7pm Su 12pm-6pm	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!		2 blocks from the Castro Station for the MUNI	There is a rack on the same block
Cole Valley SF Simple 1001 Stanyan Street	Mo 11am-6pm Tu N/A We 11am-6pm Th 11am-6pm Fr 11am-6pm Sa 11am-5pm Su 11am-5pm	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!		The MUNI lightrail N-line stops right outside	There is a rack directly outside
Mission SF Kelly's Boutique 3156 24th Street	Mo 11am-6pm Tu 11am-6pm We 11am-6pm Th 11am-6pm Fr 11am-6pm Sa N/A Su N/A	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!	Directly outside, there's 1 curb space marked as a yellow commercial loading zone The grocery store directly behind this outpost has a parking lot; some folks have split up where 1 person shops the grocery store and another handles the gear	3 blocks from 24th Street Station for the BART metro	There is a rack directly outside
Sunset SF Pemulis Water & Power 4051 Judah Street	Mo N/A Tu N/A We N/A Th 1pm-6pm Fr 1pm-6pm Sa 1pm-6pm Su 1pm-4pm	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!		The MUNI lightrail N-line stops right outside	There is a rack directly across the street
Potrero Hill SF BerryClean 1627 20th Street	Mo 8am-4pm Tu 8am-4pm We 8am-4pm Th 8am-4pm Fr 8am-4pm Sa 8am-4pm Su N/A	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended This is an office & rarely, everyone will be out running an errand. We recommend selecting this outpost only it's not too inconvenient for you to come back again in case that happens.	Do NOT pull into or block the garage on-site!	4 blocks from 22nd Street Station for the CalTrain rail	There is a rack across the street
Oakland +$15 Port Labs Co-working 2044 Franklin Street	Mo N/A Tu 12pm-5pm We N/A Th 12pm-5pm Fr N/A Sa N/A Su N/A	We work here on limited days & will schedule a specific time for you to come by between meetings. Do NOT come without an appointment as this is a co-working space, and no one else will be able to help you	Many garages nearby Free street parking is generally readily available	2 blocks from the 19th Street Station for the BART metro	There is a rack directly outside