Maxim Saenko, our COO, steers the ship with a serene but deeply rooted passion for stories and travel. His role extends beyond operations and decision-making, and mercifully into the world of our BCS blog.
If you are planning to visit this location, we must say we envy you. Lake Tahoe is located right at the border of California and Nevada, among the Sierra Nevada mountains. It gathers tourists of all kinds for multiple reasons: crystal-clear waters, scenic landscapes, and a series of outdoor activities are only some of them. Beauty and activity are available to visitors year-round there.
Reaching Lake Tahoe is quite easy because there are several airports nearby. Since each one has its own characteristics, we decided to help you out by writing this guide. Here, we describe those airports and provide useful information at a glance. This way, you will be able to find the best one for your trip. We hope you and your group have a wonderful time visiting Lake Tahoe!
Lake Tahoe views
Why should I fly to Lake Tahoe?
The tourism industry has done a great job tapping the potential of that region. There is so much to do and view there that we are going to show our overview in topics. We consider them quite important for travel plans because they may condition when to go and where to stay. Therefore, before talking about the closest airports to Lake Tahoe, we are going to show you this brief list.
Always exciting, no matter the season
In the winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding near Lake Tahoe. There are several resorts available, such as Heavenly, Northstar, and Squaw Valley. You will enjoy adventurous slopes no matter if you are a beginner or an expert. There are opportunities for everyone to have fun there.
During summer, it is possible to enjoy beaches around the lake where you can swim, sunbathe, or partake in kayaking and paddleboarding. Hikers will also have multiple trails to choose from, always with stunning views. Emerald Bay State Park and Tahoe Rim Trail are only two of those.
You can enjoy yourself indoors or out
Travelers who want to make the most of their time can also visit the Vikingsholm Castle or the Tallac Historic Site to learn about the region’s history. There are also outdoor events like music events, festivals, and farmers’ markets. There will be something different to do every single day.
In case you want a more peaceful schedule, you could enjoy the boutiques and diners of South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe City. During the day, we recommend visiting Sand Harbor or Fallen Leaf Lake, which are calmer regions. They are perfect for a family day having a picnic, for example.
Now, what about Lake Tahoe airports?
Yes, we know that this is what you are waiting for. We have selected the closest options so you can plan your air trip at the utmost convenience. For each of them, we are going to show you a brief description as well as some contact details. This way, you can compare the pros and cons of each airport and choose the best one when it is time to assemble your group travel itinerary.
Available Airport Options
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH)
Reno-Tahoe International Airport
(RNO)
Less than 60 miles from Lake Tahoe
The first airport from our list is less than 60 miles away from Lake Tahoe. It is located in Reno, Nevada, and serves many airlines from major cities across the United States, often with direct flights. While not every state has direct flights to the RNO airport, it is still easy to reach there. Once your group arrives at the airport, the drive to the lake usually takes less than an hour.
Route Options
Since you are going to rent a car, you could consider extending your trip. The Mount Rose route takes 45 minutes towards the Incline Village and offers you a stunning view of the mountains and the lake. Another common route is through Virginia City, where you can see some parts of the region's silver-mining history. This route will also take you to Nevada's capital, Carson City.
Sacramento International Airport
(SMF)
120 miles from Lake Tahoe
The second most popular airport near Lake Tahoe is SMF. You will find it in California's capital city, Sacramento, which places it 120 miles away from the lake. Since this is still a rather small airport, it may be difficult to find a direct flight depending on where you are within the country. Then again, it is said that plane tickets and car rentals tend to be cheaper compared with Reno.
Driving Routes
When it comes to reaching Lake Tahoe, there are two main options. One is through Interstate 80, which leads you to Kings Beach and the northern part of the lake. The other uses Highway 50 starting in Sacramento, and leads you to the southern region of the lake. Keep in mind that, whichever route you choose, you are going to drive for two or three hours to reach Lake Tahoe.
San Francisco International Airport
(SFO)
210 miles from Lake Tahoe
This one is the closest major airports close to Lake Tahoe. On the pro side, that means it will be easier for you to find direct flights from wherever you are in the country. The biggest con is that, since this airport is 210 miles away from the lake, there will be a longer drive there. Fortunately, it is usually cheap for you to rent a car. If that tickles your fancy, we suggest you keep reading.
Travel Route
In practice, the first part of your drive is going to be towards Sacramento, the city mentioned in the topic above. Then, you are going to take either of the aforementioned options to keep going towards Lake Tahoe. We estimate that the total duration is around three and a half hours, so it is important that you and the group agree on taking a road trip before actually enjoying the lake.
Oakland International Airport
(OAK)
200 miles from Lake Tahoe
The next airport on our list is located in the city of Oakland, California. The fact that it is smaller makes it quieter than the previous one. On the other hand, it is approximately 200 miles away from Lake Tahoe, which means your drive will be around the same. It is definitely another great option to consider next time you are searching for flights to Lake Tahoe with your entire group.
Travel Information
The OAK airport serves many airlines with direct flights from many major cities across the USA; that means you will probably have no problem when trying to reach the city. Now, regarding the path towards Lake Tahoe, the procedure is going to be similar as before: first, you will drive to Sacramento with your group. Then, you are going to drive for almost 4 hours toward Lake Tahoe.
Mammoth Yosemite Airport
(MMH)
266 miles from Lake Tahoe
The last airport option we have is kind of an honorable mention. Located in Mammoth Lakes, in the state of California again, the MMH airport is interesting in case your group wants to visit the Yosemite National Park in addition to Lake Tahoe. It is definitely a great option to consider if you have the possibility to expand the scope of your trip. If that is the case, just keep reading here.
Important Note
The route starting at Yosemite is only available during summer and fall, which is when the Tioga pass is open.
This airport is located 266 miles from the lake, which means you would have to drive for about five hours in order to reach its southern region. However, the route starting at Yosemite is only available during summer and fall, which is when the Tioga pass is open. In case this is ok with you, you will like to know that the MMH airport offers many direct flights from many US airlines.
If You Found This Article Useful
If you found the information in this article useful, we invite you to share it with others who might benefit from it.
Also, if you're planning a trip and need transportation, feel free to request a quote from us.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Don't forget to subscribe for fresh, useful articles!
Thank You for Subscribing!
We appreciate your interest! Rest assured we'll only send you valuable information
and you can unsubscribe at any time.
About the author
Maxim Saenko
Maxim Saenko, our COO, steers the ship with a serene but deeply rooted passion for stories and travel. His role extends beyond operations and decision-making, and mercifully into the world of our BCS blog.
