South Lake Tahoe Transportation
 

Going to South Lake Tahoe later this week. Was planning on renting a car, but the forecast calls for snow or rain/snow for our entire trip. I'm afraid that chains will be required and I don't know of any rental companies that allow chains. (If you do, please post). Does anyone have any experience with the shuttle companies from the Reno airport to the south shore? How about transportation within South Lake Tahoe?

Sorry to say, the transportation within South Tahoe is practically non-existent. There is a bus line, seen people waiting, never seen those buses. A shuttle runs in July-September. Horse-drawn carriages everywhere.

The airport connection with Reno is VERY good, maybe if you search the airport's ground transportation you'll find the schedule? The bus brings you to the back of Harvey's.

I don't know much about taxis, in one of my searches I found: advance reservation required, and it was for summer time!

There is an Amtrak bus running 3 times a day to the Y (is there shopping at the Y? always puzzled me!) and then to Sacramento, I think this one requires advance reservations.

It is not very often that Nevada will require chains but the can and DO require snow tires. California is much more restrictive. You might enquire of your rental car company if the vehicle has snow tires. Mainly, if it does snow, you will need them to get over Mt. Rose summit..almost 9000 feet. You could go through Carson City and up over Spooner..that's about 7200 feet so depending on how cold the storm is and the time of day, snow tires could be fine or you may need nothing at all. The joys of mountain living, ya just never know. And yes, there is shopping at the Y. Outlet mall....I've never been impressed with it but.....

I agree that the Casino Express from Reno to South Lake Tahoe is a very good choice, and that the bus transportation on the south shore isn't good at all. Cabs can be called pretty easily, and casinos will pick you up and bring you there to gamble.

Thanks. crefloors, I'm glad you mentioned the snow tires, because I think most of what I was reading pertained to California. I found a rental agency that equips their cars with mud and snow tires which meets Nevada requirements. The only California driving I'm planning on will be in the city of South Lake Tahoe, so I should be fine, right?

Also, most of the directions I see say to take 395 to Carson City, then 50 to Tahoe. I'm assuming that this is the easiest way, but what about taking the Mt. Rose Highway to 28? Is there any advantage to taking this route on a clear day?

We were in Tahoe last month, lots of snow. Rented the SUV with snow tires in Reno. We like to take the Mt. Rose Hwy, stop at Incline Village at the Lone Eagle Grill for lunch on the lake, then you can continue on to SLT for your hotel check in. The view coming over Mt. Rose is awesome in clear weather.
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