Find coaches from San Jose, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA

Find affordable coach tickets from San Jose, CA to South Lake Tahoe, CA with flexible options. Book your journey now

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Today17 May
Tomorrow18 May
from US$75
Mon19 May
Tue20 May
Wed21 May
Thu22 May
Fri23 May
Sat24 May

Next departures to South Lake Tahoe

One passenger / one way

  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Cheapest
    Departure time: 18 May at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: 18 May at
    Destination city: South Lake Tahoe
    Destination location: Stateline Transit Center
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • This trip is recommended because it is the: Fastest
    Departure time: 18 May at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: 18 May at
    Destination city: South Lake Tahoe
    Destination location: Emerald Bay Rd
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:
  • Departure time: 18 May at
    Departure city: San Jose
    Departure location: Diridon Station
    Arrival time: 18 May at
    Destination city: South Lake Tahoe
    Destination location: Emerald Bay Rd
    Operated by: AmtrakAmtrak
    Vehicle: BusDuration:

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Compare 2 ways to travel from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe

Bus
Average priceUS$83 - US$83Average duration8h 20m
6kg CO₂e5 out of 5 stars
Most eco-friendly
Train
Average priceUS$81 - US$81Average duration6h 12m
22kg CO₂e1 out of 5 stars
CheapestFastest
busbud logoBusbud recommends taking the train from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe

Among the sustainable travel choices, the train stands out as a good way to reach South Lake Tahoe. The journey takes about 6 hours 12 minutes and with fares starting at just US$81, it presents an excellent value for a comfortable ride.

2train per day
6h 12mAverage duration
US$81Cheapest ticket
22kgCO₂ emissions

Bus San Jose to South Lake Tahoe: Trip Overview

Average ticket priceUS$83
Average bus trip duration8h 20m
Number of daily buses3
Earliest bus departure04:30
Distance155 miles

San Jose to South Lake Tahoe Bus

Busbud helps you find a bus from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe. Get the best fare and schedule, book a round trip ticket or find buses with WiFi and electrical outlets.

We make it our job to connect you with the most dependable bus companies that cover bus service from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe.

Discover how much the bus trip from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe will cost you. Use our filters and sorting features to find the cheapest bus tickets or luxury buses.

Frequently asked questions on the trip San Jose - South Lake Tahoe

  1. How much does it cost to go to South Lake Tahoe by bus?

    For coach travel from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe, ticket prices typically start at US$83 and can reach a maximum of US$83. The cost of tickets can fluctuate based on factors like the time of day, the company, and the class you choose. Use Busbud to compare prices and amenities offered by different companies, ensuring you find the most favorable deals and promotions.

  2. How long is a coach from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe?

    The average duration for a trip from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe by coach is around 8h 20m. If you're looking for the fastest trip, you can get there in just about 8h. Please be aware that the time it takes for your journey may vary depending on the traffic conditions along the route.

  3. At what time is the first coach from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe?

    The first coach to South Lake Tahoe from San Jose departs at 04:30. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

  4. What's the distance between San Jose and South Lake Tahoe by coach?

    The distance between San Jose and South Lake Tahoe by coach is approximately 152 miles (245 km).

  5. What is the best way to go from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe without a car?

    The best way to go from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe without a car is by coach. They are frequent and reliable, offering a convenient and eco-friendly journey. Depending on your preferences, another alternative is to explore ridesharing trips.

  6. Can I catch a night coach from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe?

    You can hop on coaches departing from San Jose until 04:30 and reaching South Lake Tahoe the following day. Remember to bring along some essentials like a snuggly blanket and a few treats for a comfortable trip.

Find cheapest prices for buses

Price is for a one-way ticket for one passenger and based on past searches.

Best price found
15/05
US$75
16/05
US$75
Today
US$75
18/05
US$75
19/05
US$75
20/05
No data
21/05
No data
22/05
No data
busbud logoThe cheapest trip from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe was searched and found on 15 May 2025 with a price of US$75

To save money and be sure you have the best seat, it's a good idea to buy your bus tickets from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe as early as possible.

You can expect to pay from US$75 to US$75 for a bus ticket from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe based on the last 2 days. You can expect to find the cheapest price for the trip at US$75, which is on 2025-05-18.

About Bus Travel

Bus Travel Tips

Make friends with the driver. They usually know a lot about your destination and may even recommend which side of the bus to sit on to get the best views on the road between San Jose and South Lake Tahoe!

From miles long of beauteous natural landscapes to impressive man-crafted sights, you’re bound to be in for a visual treat on your bus trip from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe.

Buses have the smallest carbon footprint of all motorized transport modes. A bus going from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe will emit half the CO2 emitted by a train, and radically less than a car or an airplane.

Make a music playlist for your bus ride from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe, and enjoy the scenery to tunes from your own personal soundtrack.

Did you know?

Did you know there are on average 4,400 intercity bus departures every day in the US only? This number has been growing for 9 years in a row, yay!

The Superbus, created by a Dutch engineer is the world's fastest bus with 250 km/h. Too bad it's only a prototype for now.

It takes 27 hours to go by bus from Lima to Cusco, one of the craziest bus trips on the world. This route is used daily by locals and backpackers.

Will you be returning to San Jose by bus?

Bus from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe

You can also go to South Lake Tahoe by train

Train from San Jose to South Lake Tahoe

Why choose Busbud?

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Busbud makes bus travel easy. We help travellers find a bus, plot routes, and book intercity bus tickets all over the world. With Busbud, wherever you go, you have a worldwide bus station within reach and available in your own language and currency. With Busbud, you can buy tickets with confidence. We ensure that you make the most out of your bus trip by partnering up with reliable bus companies from all around the world such as Greyhound, Eurolines, ALSA, OUIBUS (BlaBlaBus), National Express and many others.

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Popular Buses Connecting South Lake Tahoe

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