There are 4 ways to get from Tahoe City to San Rafael by car, train, bus, or plane
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Drive, train (Amtrak)
best- Drive from Tahoe City to Colfax Amtrak Stationcar
- Take the train from Colfax Amtrak Station to Richmondtrain California Zephyr
6h 27m$34–108Bus
- Take the bus from Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar to San Francisco - 16th Stbus Northstar
6h 37m$170–185Drive 195.1 mi
- Drive from Tahoe City to San Rafaelcar 195.1 mi
3h 28m$36–52Bus, fly
- Take the bus from Lakeshore Dr at Country Club Dr to Reno Tahoe International Airportbus
- Fly from Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO)plane RNO - SFO
- Take the bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoffbus
6h 27m
Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Tahoe City to San Rafael is to drive which costs $35 - $55 and takes 3h 28m.
The fastest way to get from Tahoe City to San Rafael is to drive which takes 3h 28m and costs $35 - $55.
The distance between Tahoe City and San Rafael is 210 miles. The road distance is 196.3 miles.
The best way to get from Tahoe City to San Rafael without a car is to bus which takes 6h 37m and costs $170 - $190.
It takes approximately 6h 27m to get from Tahoe City to San Rafael, including transfers.
Yes, the driving distance between Tahoe City to San Rafael is 196 miles. It takes approximately 3h 28m to drive from Tahoe City to San Rafael.
There are 471+ hotels available in San Rafael.
What companies run services between Tahoe City, CA, USA and San Rafael, CA, USA?
Tahoe Ski Trips operates a bus from Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar to San Francisco - 16th St on demand. Tickets cost $95 and the journey takes 4h.
- Website
- united.com
Flights from Reno/Tahoe International Airport to San Francisco International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $30–220
Rome2Rio's guide to Amtrak
Contact Details
- Phone
- +1 800-872-7245
- Website
- amtrak.com
Train from Colfax Amtrak Station to Richmond
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 57m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $16–80
- Website
- https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
- Coach Seat - Advance Purchase
- $22–35
- Coach Seat short notice purchase
- $16–80
- Business - advance purchase
- $22–130
- Business Class
- $35–200
- Phone
- +1 925-382-8320
- office@tahoeskitrips.net
- Website
- tahoeskitrips.net
Bus from Tahoe Mountain Resort - Northstar to San Francisco - 16th St
- Ave. Duration
- 4h
- Frequency
- On demand
- Estimated price
- $95
- Website
- https://www.tahoeskitrips.net
- Phone
- (833) 709 8080
- Website
- northlaketahoeexpress.com
Bus from Lakeshore Dr at Country Club Dr to Reno Tahoe International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Website
- https://northlaketahoeexpress.com
- Phone
- +1 415-461-4222
- Website
- marinairporter.com
Bus from San Francisco Airport to Larkspur - dropoff
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 6m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $20–30
- Website
- https://marinairporter.com/
Want to know more about travelling around United States
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