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Car Hire Lake Tahoe

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Lake Tahoe Guide

Guide

Lake Tahoe is considered to be one of the largest, cleanest, highest, deepest and coldest lakes in the world. It is situated in the mountinous and forested regions of California Gold Country. Many tourists and locals visit the lake over the weekend, mainly from the San Francisco Bay. Over the summer period tourists enjoy the beaches and sunny weather, the winter attracts hikers and skiers due to the snow-covered slopes. Car hire in Lake Tahoe is a great idea to help you get around and explore the beautiful landscapes.

Explore Lake Tahoe

Tahoe City, the hub on the lake's northwestern shore, retains its laid-back relaxed atmosphere despite the volume of tourists basing themselves there every year. The city is situated on Lake Tahoe's only outlet, the Truckee River, which is popular for rafting during the summer.

The Gatekeeper's Cabin Museum, at the mouth of the river, contains a well-presented hodgepodge of artefacts from the 19th century, and has a good collection of native basketware. For a spectacular panorama of the lake, hike to the top of Eagle Rock. Chamber’s beach provides an excellent location for swimming and water sports, while to the west lies Squaw Valley, a premier ski resort and host to the 1960 Winter Olympics.

South Lake Tahoe, is home to a number of restaurants, motels, and beautiful pine cottages standing next to glittering casino's, just across the border in Nevada. The area abounds in beautiful hiking trails, parks and beaches, typified by the shores of Emerald Bay State Park and Sugar Pine Point State Park.

The 120-kilometre drive around the lake is often touted as the ‘most beautiful drive in America’, and while it falls somewhat short of the mark, it is nonetheless a rewarding and relaxing experience full of superb scenery.

For an alternative perspective of the lake, take one of the paddlewheel boat cruises or hire your own powerboat, sailboat or kayak. Other recreational activities include: horseback riding, mountain biking, four-wheel driving, hiking, golfing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling.

There is no shortage of entertainment on the lakeside, with plenty of fine resorts, lively bars and excellent restaurants available. The lake has inspired its own cultural scene, with the many local artists represented by several excellent galleries running almost continuous art festivals during the summer, such as the Sand Harbor Shakespeare Festival in August.

Transport

By air
Reno-Tahoe International Airport provides convenient access to both the North Shore (30 minutes) and the South Shore (one hour). Transport to the lake is supplied by a casino shuttle bus or regular shuttle bus, or you can rent a car. Most international visitors arrive via one of the west coast’s two major air traffic hubs, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Car hire suppliers operating from LAX and San Francisco Airports include Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, Fox, Payless, National and Thrifty. Book cheap car hire in Lake Tahoe online with us today and your car will be ready and waiting for your arrival to the airport.

By car
With California’s beautiful and extensive road network, driving to Lake Tahoe is a great option. From Sacramento, follow US Highway 50 through the American River Canyon to the southern shores of Lake Tahoe. Alternatively you can take I-80, which passes the lake to the north at Donner Summit on its way to Reno, with several connecting highways to the lake’s northern and western shores.

By bus
Greyhound offers a daily service to and from Los Angeles, stopping at Reno, Carson City and smaller places along the way.

Practical information

  • Currency
    United States Dollar
  • Driving direction
    Right
  • City speed limit
    25 - 70 km/h
  • Freeway speed limit
    90 - 130 km/h
  • Language
    English

What most people want to know

The following questions and answers are a selection of the most popular questions. If you do not find the answer to your question, have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us.

Is Carrentals.co.uk the cheapest?

Yes, we offer a guarantee of the lowest price - because we compare various retailers, we can always offer you the best price in town.

What do I need to do when picking up a car?

To pick up your car, you will need your voucher, passport, driver's license and a credit card. It is very important that your driver's license and credit card are in the same name as the main driver. Keep in mind that the local rental company will reserve a certain amount on your credit card as a deposit. This requires the PIN code for your credit card. If your driver's license is foreign (for example, in Chinese), you must bring a translation with you. Only your original passport and driver's license will be accepted - a copy is not sufficient.

Are there any additional costs?

In general, our rates are all-inclusive. Should there be any additional costs, our booking department will get in touch with you before issuing the invoice. Should you object, you can always cancel your reservation with no obligations attached (at least 48 hours in advance).

What kind of insurance is applicable to my car rental?

In general, Liability Insurance, Fire Insurance, All-Risks Insurance and Theft Insurance are included in the cost of your rental car.

What is a worry-free label?

Only rental companies with a high level of customer satisfaction are eligible to be included in our Worry-Free selection. This rate includes excess cover and unlimited kilometres. Your vehicle will be provided and must be returned with a full tank of fuel. With a vehicle from our Worry-Free selection, you can travel with peace of mind and no hidden costs.

How can I change or cancel my reservation?

You can cancel your reservation through "My Account". We recommend contacting us by phone if your changes to your booking or cancellation takes place at short notice (48 hours or less).

When will I get a confirmation of my booking?

Most reservations will receive confirmation within minutes after payment takes place. We recommend contacting our Booking Department for last minute reservations (pick-up within 48 hours).