Go back in time to the old Wild West on this tour from South Lake Tahoe to Virginia City, Nevada, including a train ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. With a guide, you’ll start your day trip by minibus, driving along part of the Pony Express. When you reach Virginia City, a National Historic Landmark District, take a 6.5-mile round-trip train ride before enjoying free time in town to explore at your leisure, perhaps visiting museums or a historical saloon.

Travel along part of the Pony Express trail to Nevada’s oldest city
Take a ride on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad
Visit museums and historic mansions, if you wish (own expense)
Learn about the region’s geology, history and wildlife from a knowledgeable guide

What's Included

Transport by air-conditioned shuttle bus
Train ride
Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)

Lunch
Admission to attractions (optional)
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

08:30 am

Pickup details

Hilton Vacation Club departure time: 8:20am Marriott Resorts departure time: 8:30am Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel departure time: 8:40am

What To Expect

Your day trip begins as you depart South Lake Tahoe with your driver/guide by minibus, with seats that recline and large windows that provide views of the mountain scenery during the approximate 90-minute drive across the state line to Virginia City, Nevada.

During the drive, which passes through Carson City, Nevada’s state capital, listen to commentary from your guide about the area’s local animal life, plant life, geology and mining history during the days of the Wild West. Travel along a portion of the old Pony Express, the route from the 1860s that transported mail across the United States, before arriving in Virginia City, which began when the country’s first major silver deposit was discovered.

Hop off the minibus at the Virginia & Truckee Railroad station for your 6.5-mile (10.5-km) round-trip train ride that takes you to the town of Gold Hill and back. During the journey, learn about the history of the railroad, which dates back to 1869. After your train ride, you have about 2.5 hours of free time in Virginia City to spend at your leisure. Explore the historic district, listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, and admire 19th-century buildings that line Main Street like the opera house and historical saloons like the St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church. Perhaps check out a museum or two, such as The Way It Was Museum or Mark Twain Museum, or have lunch at a local eatery, such as the Delta Saloon. (All entrance fees, food and drinks are at your own expense.)

At the end of your free time, re-board the minibus for the return drive to South Lake Tahoe, where your day trip ends.

Virginia & Truckee Railroad

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Comstock Lode

3 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Virginia City Visitor Center

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

The Delta Saloon

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

The Way It Was Museum

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Genoa Bar (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
It is recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

Service animals allowed
Infants must sit on laps
Most travellers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 26 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveller Photos

Featured review

James_W

Driver was well informed shared his vast knowledge great experience learned a great deal of the mining experience in Nevada

Reviews

4.0

93 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 93 reviews

All aboard

Rosa_Q, Oct 2023

Our bus driver that was taking us to the train was very informative and had a great personality. All the passengers on the bus were also great. Made the trip very enjoyable. Our conductor for the train was also very informative and had a great sense of humor. It was a good train ride.

Fantastic

James_W, Sept 2023

Driver was well informed shared his vast knowledge great experience learned a great deal of the mining experience in Nevada

Wonderful Trip

Wayne_R, Sept 2023

Very nice views from the train.. It was very entertaining and educational about the history of the Gold MInes. Virginia City was exciting and full of surprises.. Well worth the money

Entire tour was very informative and enjoyable.

Louis_W, Sept 2023

The route used to go to and back from Virginia City was very informative especially the tour of Carson City.

Fun traveling back in time

William_G, Aug 2023

Felt like traveling back in time. Informative ride through the capital city. Virginia City feels like time has stood still for 100 years. The fun train ride started us off then we spent time in the Wild West. Lots of shops, old saloons and wild mustangs. Plenty to see and do.

Recommend it to everyone!!

Sondra_M, Aug 2023

We had the best bus driver that was very knowledgeable. Also great train conductor that was great. Both of those guys made our 60th Anniversary the best. Recom

Great tour in Nevada

Michael_A, July 2023

Very enjoyable trip. Our trip driver/narrator was knowledgeable and witty. We enjoyed the time on the train & in Virginia City. Totally recommend this tour.

Wild west tour

Darrell_H, July 2023

Don was a knowledgeable tour guide with a great sense of humor. We enjoyed our time in Virginia City withal of its interesting history.

Virginia city was great!...

Nicola_M, Oct 2022

Virginia city was great! Best part of the trip! The train ride was a little disappointing and the driver lacked knowledge and struggled to answer some questions

Great site seeing trip.

Susan_B, Oct 2022

Views from the mountains. Bus driver very knowledgeable about area. I’d recommend this trip to anyone that wants to get away from casinos for a day.

Nice town

Andrea_G, Oct 2022

Loved the town of Virginia City, nice lunch spots and sightseeing. Plenty of time to look around and do some shopping.

Interesting and educational

Roger_L, Oct 2022

Great bus driver who was very knowledgeable and social able. Loved the train ride and seeing the old-time saloons and main street.

I remember seeing the...

Celeste_G, Oct 2022

I remember seeing the wild horses and visiting all the spots in Virginia city. The mining history on the train was interesting.

Very fun trip. Reasonable price

Raymond_B, Sept 2022

The driver did a great job getting around. Also, the driver did a good job explaining things you saw along the way. I just wish the train ride part had been a bit longer

Nice ride

Maria_P, Aug 2022

The train ride was nice and short but too hot. The little town was nice and the museums with good info about how miners worked.

The tour bus driver was...

Nancy_w, July 2022

The tour bus driver was very knowledgeable and fun! The train ride was fun and the perfect length of time for a toddler.

Fun day —

RAMONA_L, June 2022

Beautiful drive and the bus driver narration excellent knowledge !!! The train ride was ok !! Wish it was longer but beautiful and fun ! The time in town was perfect and rode back just in time to prepare for dinner

The company that booked...

Hilda_W, Sept 2021

The company that booked our trip told us that it was a 7 hour ride on an air conditioned train and it was not.

Great trip

Tracy_R, Aug 2021

It was hot and smoky around the Lake Tahoe area. We loved it. We would do it again. And would recommend it

Great day!

Mary_G, Aug 2021

It was a beautiful day for seeing the views. Our driver and the guide on the train were very friendly and informative. We had a great day wandering Virginia City.

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