Virginia City day trip from South Lake Tahoe: Train ride included

Mining town, train ride, and a saloon on the oldest main street in Nevada

This day trip from South Lake Tahoe takes you to Virginia City, a Wild West mining boomtown on the National Register of Historic Places, with a 7-mile train ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad and free time to explore the town's museums and bars. The tour includes round-trip transport by air-conditioned shuttle, a knowledgeable guide, and hotel pickup from selected properties. The full outing runs about seven hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Virginia and Truckee Railroad1h · entry included
2. Virginia City10m

Explore Virginia City and train ride

• Drive from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City
• Ride Virginia & Truckee Railroad to Gold Hill and back
• Explore Comstock Lode area
• Walk on C Street
• Visit recommended museum
• Stop for refreshments
• See oldest bar in Nevada
• Visit other must-see sites

The experience

The drive from South Lake Tahoe follows part of the historic Pony Express route before arriving in Virginia City. Once there, you board the Virginia & Truckee Railroad for a 7-mile ride to Gold Hill and back, traveling the same rails that once carried silver and gold from the Comstock Lode. The train itself is the centerpiece: a genuine piece of the region's mining heritage, not a modern recreation.

After the train ride, the afternoon is yours to spend in Virginia City. The town sits on C Street, where the saloons, museums and storefronts still stand from the boomtown era. You can visit the oldest bar in Nevada, check out the recommended museums, or simply walk the streets at your own pace. The guide is there to point you toward the highlights, but you decide how long to linger and what to see.

The shuttle is air-conditioned for the drive back to South Lake Tahoe, and pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels. Bring comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen: Virginia City sits at elevation and the town involves real walking on uneven ground. A reusable water bottle is worth packing.

What’s included

• Round-trip transport by air-conditioned shuttle bus from South Lake Tahoe.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from selected properties.
• a live English-speaking guide.
• the 7-mile Virginia & Truckee Railroad train ride.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 Jun 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (3 to 14 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 26

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discover Lake Tahoe Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to combine a scenic train ride with a self-guided exploration of a real Wild West town. The train is the structured part of the day, and the free time in Virginia City lets you follow your own interests without a fixed itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 14 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Virginia & Truckee Railroad ride like?

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad is a 7-mile round-trip journey from Virginia City to Gold Hill and back on restored heritage rail cars. It follows the original route used during the silver mining era and is included in the tour.

How much free time do I have to explore Virginia City on my own?

After the train ride, you have the afternoon to walk around Virginia City and visit attractions at your own pace. The guide is with the group but does not dictate the itinerary once you arrive in town.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but Virginia City has saloons and cafes on C Street where you can grab refreshments during your free time in town.

Does the tour include entry to the museums?

Museum admission is optional and not included in the base tour price. You can choose to pay for entry to any museums you want to visit while you are in Virginia City.

What is the Comstock Lode, and why does it matter to Virginia City?

The Comstock Lode was one of the richest silver deposits ever discovered in North America, and it made Virginia City a booming mining town in the 1860s and 1870s. The tour passes through Silver City and Gold Hill, other towns built on the same lode, so you see the scale of the mining operation across the region.