Is South Lake Tahoe expensive to visit?
South Lake Tahoe is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $118. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in North America for its affordability, comparable to places like La Paz and Zion National Park.
Lake Tahoe, California
How expensive is South Lake Tahoe?
On average, visitors spend about $118 per day when visiting South Lake Tahoe (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $236 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for South Lake Tahoe here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to South Lake Tahoe?
A weekend trip to South Lake Tahoe costs about $354 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $708.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to South Lake Tahoe?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to South Lake Tahoe costs around $826 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,652.
Lake Tahoe
Is it expensive to backpack in South Lake Tahoe?
While South Lake Tahoe attracts a few backpackers, traveling on a budget can be challenging because there are only a few hostels around town. The average cost of a hostel in South Lake Tahoe is $18 per night. The cheapest beds cost about $18 and the most expensive rooms cost around $18. (See hostel prices in South Lake Tahoe here.)
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in South Lake Tahoe.
- $18 for a dorm bed at Mellow Mountain Hostel
Are hotels expensive in South Lake Tahoe?
Considering our analysis of hotel prices in South Lake Tahoe, it becomes apparent that they are fairly even and moderately priced in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $418 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 1 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $1,038 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $551 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $141 per night.
Hotels by star rating in South Lake Tahoe
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 1 | $1,038 |
| 4 stars | 18 | $638 |
| 3 stars | 54 | $551 |
| 2 stars | 34 | $141 |
| No rating | 3 | $708 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in South Lake Tahoe?
Activities and things to do in South Lake Tahoe can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $56 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $55.
- Sunset Hike and Photography Adventure in South Lake Tahoe: $110
- Electric Dirtbike Adventure in Lake Tahoe: $200
- Tahoe Coastal Self-Guided E-Bike Tour - Full-Day | World Famous East Shore Trail: $140
- Introductory Snowshoe Shared Experience: $75
- Tahoe National Forest Moonlight Snowshoe Tour Under a Starry Sky: $90
- Tahoe's Sand Harbor Helicopter Tour: $276
- Sunset Kayak Experience in Lake Tahoe: $75
- Scenic Snowshoe Adventure in South Lake Tahoe, CA: $110
Is food expensive in South Lake Tahoe?
Food in South Lake Tahoe can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $38 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $58. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
Is transportation expensive in South Lake Tahoe?
The prices of local transportation in South Lake Tahoe can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $24 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for South Lake Tahoe
If you're planning a trip to South Lake Tahoe, California, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.