Fly, Drive, Take the Train, or Ride the Bus. Here’s the Real Rundown.
Biggest Little Dreamin’ happens at the Reno Ballroom in downtown Reno, Nevada, on January 28 and 29, 2027. Getting there and getting settled takes less effort than most conferences you’ve traveled to. No rental car, no hour-long airport transfer, no separate trip planning for where to stay.
Flying In
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is a small, easy airport, most gates are a short walk from security, and it’s served by major domestic carriers. It sits about 10 minutes from downtown Reno and the conference hotel block.
Driving In
Reno sits right on I-80, an easy, direct drive for anyone coming from Northern California. From Sacramento, it’s about 132 miles, roughly 2 hours, with the halfway point at Emigrant Gap. From the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s about 218 miles, roughly 3.5 hours, staying on I-80 the entire way.
The route crosses Donner Summit, which is open year round but can see chain requirements or temporary closures during winter storms. Since the conference is in late January, check Caltrans QuickMap for current I-80 and Donner Summit conditions before you leave, and keep chains or snow tires on hand if you’re driving your own car over the pass. Parking at the Silver Legacy is complimentary self-parking, or valet for $15 a night if you’d rather not deal with it.
By Train
Amtrak’s California Zephyr stops in downtown Reno at the station on East Commercial Row, on the Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area) route, with a stop in Sacramento along the way. The station is about a quarter mile, roughly a 6 minute walk, from the Silver Legacy and the Reno Ballroom. Check the California Zephyr schedule for current times and fares, times vary by day.
By Bus
Greyhound serves Reno at a stop in the same downtown area near the Amtrak station. FlixBus also runs direct routes into Reno from Sacramento, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area, along with other West Coast cities. Both are worth checking if you’d rather not drive or fly.
From the Airport to the Hotel
A free shuttle runs between the airport and the hotel block. Booking details go out after you register, no need to arrange your own transportation or budget for a rideshare.
Where to Stay
The Biggest Little Dreamin’ room block is at the Silver Legacy, directly across the street from the Reno Ballroom. Rooms run $69 a night on weekdays and $99 a night on weekends, all in, before taxes. Once you’re checked in, the conference venue is a two-minute walk, no shuttle, no rideshare, no parking to think about.
Getting Around Once You’re There
Everything that matters for the conference, the airport shuttle, the hotel, and the Reno Ballroom, is within a few minutes of each other. Most Trailblazers won’t need a car at all for the two days of the conference. If you’re extending your trip to ski, see Stay the Weekend for how to get to Mt. Rose, Palisades Tahoe, and Heavenly from Reno.