15 cost-saving tips for a trip to Lake Tahoe

With its sapphire waters surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a stunning sight to behold.

Famed for its top-notch ski resorts, lakeside beaches, and hiking paths, this popular alpine destination can quickly drain your wallet if you're not careful.

Budgeting for a trip to Tahoe requires some strategy. While bus travel is affordable, relying solely on public transport might limit your access to out-of-town budget hotels. Conversely, driving offers more flexibility for finding cheaper accommodations, but you might face high fuel and parking expenses.

Yet, there are deals to be found and numerous ways to make your money go further. Here’s how to cut your expenses in half so you can enjoy splashing, skiing, and strolling around the second-deepest lake in the USA.

Daily expenses

• Hostel bed: $37

• Tent site: $25–35

• Standard room for two: $110–200

• Ski lift ticket: starting at $94

• Park and ride shuttles: free

• Coffee: $3–5

• Sandwich from a café: $10–13

• Dinner for two at a casual restaurant: $65

• Pint of craft beer: $6–8

Average daily cost: $150–$350

1. Save big by traveling via bus or train

Replacing a car rental with bus or train travel can help you save money. You can reach the charming, historic town of Truckee (CA), just 15 miles north of the lake, from San Francisco for $30 when you book in advance with Greyhound. Additionally, there are weekend coach services from the Bay Area through Tahoe Ski Trips (starting at $95) and Sports Basement (from $99).

Traveling from Los Angeles? If you have enough time and can tolerate public transit, mixed bus-train routes to Truckee start at $62 with Amtrak.

2. Seek out carpool partners on winter sports forums

Once the first snowflakes fall in the Sierra, skiers and snowboarders in NorCal eagerly begin planning their trips to Tahoe. This creates numerous opportunities for carpooling! Check out forums like Snowpals to find drivers offering rides for gas money or to connect with passengers who can help reduce your own travel costs.

A crucial tip: if you're relying on another driver, make sure to ask if they have winter tires or carry chains (and know how to use them). Each winter, unprepared drivers often skid off the road because their vehicles can’t manage icy conditions; don’t become a statistic.

3. Refuel before arriving in Tahoe

Gas prices in towns like South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City (both CA) are typically higher than in other areas; it’s common to hear people say, “I should have filled up in Reno/Carson City/Placerville.” You can also use an app like GasBuddy to find the best-priced stations.

4. Strategically plan your parking

During summer, beaches and hiking rank high among free activities in Lake Tahoe, but parking often comes with a cost—and those fees can add up if you’re visiting multiple attractions in one day. It’s no surprise that many drivers discreetly pass their parking stubs as they leave state park lots.

The ideal approach is to choose a central location for each day. Pack a picnic for Emerald Bay State Park (with a $5 daily parking fee), where you can spend the day hiking, enjoying the beach, and visiting the impressive Vikingsholm Castle. Similarly, Donner Memorial State Park (daily parking fee: $5 in winter, $10 in summer) features a fascinating free museum about pioneers crossing the Sierra, along with 8 miles of hiking trails.

Look for hikes with free parking options: there are roadside spots along Fallen Leaf Lake Road, which leads to the breathtaking lake of the same name.

5. Utilize free shuttles to access Tahoe’s ski resorts

South Lake Tahoe is perfect for skiers without a car, as you can easily walk to the gondola that takes you up to Heavenly Ski Resort. Other towns offer weekend shuttles to the slopes for free (plus, you won’t have to worry about parking fees and can enjoy a few beers on the mountain). Be sure to check the schedule for the TART Park & Ride, which connects Truckee and Tahoe City to Palisades resort.

6. Find affordable lodging along Highway 50

One advantage of having your own car is the flexibility in choosing where to stay. Hotel prices in South Lake Tahoe increase as you get closer to the lake or ski lifts, but you can find more budget-friendly options (around $110 on winter weekends) along Hwy 50 just south of town.

7. Stay in Carson City instead

During summer weekends, finding a room in South Lake Tahoe for under $300 can be a challenge. Instead, consider saving money by lodging in Carson City (NV), located 28 miles northeast of South Lake Tahoe. Nightly rates at motels there can drop to as low as $110 on summer weekends ($80 in winter), though you’ll find more highway-side chain motels than quaint alpine B&Bs. Minden and Gardnerville (NV), about 20 miles east of South Lake Tahoe, also offer options for budget accommodations.

8. Take a chance on visiting in April, September, or October

The peak times to visit Tahoe are during summer (June to August) and the winter sports season (December to March). Outside of these periods, while there’s no assurance of beach weather or great snow, you can enjoy significant savings, and there are always activities in Lake Tahoe.

In April, businesses often provide deals to attract visitors as the snow begins to melt. These include discounted Lake Tahoe hotels, prix fixe dining options, and free rides for kids on snowmobile tours; you can find some of the best offers on Visit Lake Tahoe’s deals page.

Fall weather can be unpredictable (so pack shorts, thermals, and sunscreen...), but Lake Tahoe hotels haven’t yet inflated their rates to winter highs. The local vibe is more relaxed, and trails like Eagle Falls and the 9.5-mile Truckee River Legacy Trail showcase vibrant autumn colors of scarlet and gold.

Discover the optimal time for your Lake Tahoe visit with our seasonal guide

9. Book a stay on Sunday night

Every Monday, Tahoe’s coffee shops are filled with people working on laptops. Many of these are weekend visitors who took advantage of lower hotel rates on Sundays and head back to the Bay Area after putting in some remote work. Fridays and Saturdays are the priciest nights to stay in Tahoe, so to save on accommodations, plan your weekend trip to include a Sunday night.

10. Choose one summer activity each day

Whether it’s kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or cycling, the rental fees can accumulate. Opt for one activity per day to get the most value for your money.

Last time we checked, Olympic Bike Shop had the most affordable daily rentals ($44) for exploring scenic routes like the Tahoe East Shore Trail along the beach and the pine-covered Pope-Baldwin Bike Path. If you’re renting a kayak, consider going in pairs for better savings. Renting a double kayak for the day costs about $120, compared to $200 for two single kayaks. Rental companies like Kayak Tahoe have various locations around the lake.

11. Calculate the best value for your ski pass

Ski pass prices can quickly derail your budget, so take time to evaluate your options. If you're on a short visit and just want to sample Tahoe's snow with scenic lake views, consider more affordable resorts like Homewood and Sierra-at-Tahoe, where adult day passes start at $104 and $94, respectively. In contrast, Palisades offers day passes starting at $167 on weekends ($142 on weekdays).

For a few days of skiing, look into the IKON Session Pass ($449), which provides four days at Palisades, along with the flexibility to use some days at other ski resorts across North America and beyond.

If you plan to ski for over a week, it’s usually more economical to invest in a full season pass. For instance, the Tahoe Local season pass costs $621 and grants access to Tahoe resorts like Heavenly, Kirkwood, and Northstar, plus other resorts in Colorado and Utah.

12. Enjoy the snow without a ski pass

Traveling with family can be pricey, but if you simply want your kids to enjoy the snow, you don’t need to buy ski passes. The Tahoe area features five SNO-Parks (we particularly enjoy the scenic forest at lakeshore Blackwood Canyon SNO-Park). All you need is a $15 permit, and you can sled, build snowmen, or let your dog experience the snow. Purchase your pass online and arrive early to ensure a parking spot.

13. Eat affordably at bars and pizzerias

Tahoe is a favorite destination for the affluent, and it’s easy to spend a fortune on lavish multi-course meals with a view of the lake. Thankfully, budget-conscious travelers can find a variety of casual dining and mid-range options.

In South Lake Tahoe, you can enjoy $5 burritos at Taqueria Jimenez or delicious pizzas and cocktails at Base Camp Pizza. In Tahoe City, visit Mountain Slice for $5 cheese-loaded pizza wedges, or try the Fat Cat Bar & Grill for meatball subs or their famous donut burger (a great way to save money while feeling full for breakfast!). Truckee also offers under-$20 dinner choices like poke bowls from Maki Ali.

14. Avoid pricey on-mountain dining

Skiers and snowboarders often find themselves in a bind. After an exhilarating ride through the powder, they're likely to shell out anything for a hot meal and coffee at Tahoe’s on-mountain eateries. However, prices can be as steep as those double-black diamond runs.

Bringing along protein bars or a packed sandwich is a simple way to dodge high prices. You can pick up picnic supplies at grocery stores in the main towns around the lake, such as the Safeway in Tahoe City and Raley’s in South Lake Tahoe.

15. Take advantage of local happy hours

Save your celebratory drinks for the late afternoon when happy hours brighten up Tahoe’s bars. In South Lake Tahoe, enjoy $6 draft beers and $10 pizzas at Stateline Brewery (3 to 5pm Thursday to Sunday). Kalani’s offers $4 beers and $8 cocktails (5 to 6pm Monday to Friday), while the Emerald Bay Bar & Grill keeps the fun going with three happy hours daily from 3 to 6pm; check their website for more specials.

In Tahoe City, don’t miss the family-owned favorite Jake’s on the Lake (4:30 to 6:30pm Sunday to Thursday) or Tahoe Wine Collective for $2 tasting pours (4 to 7pm), along with regular happy hours and occasional live music events.