Cheap train tickets from Irvine to Merced
Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
Trip Summary
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from Irvine to Merced. Travelling by train from Irvine to Merced usually takes 9 hours and 59 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 8 hours.
- Distance
- 292 mi (470 km)
- Fastest train
- 8h
- Lowest price
- £35.58
- Trains per day
- 6
- Most frequent service
- Amtrak
- Train lines
- 1
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Irvine to Merced Train Timetable
Is it better to travel by coach or train from Irvine to Merced?
There is usually 1 daily coach trip from Irvine to Merced.
Train | Coach | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price£67.84 | Avg. Price£67.34Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips6 | Daily Trips1 |
Duration | Duration9h 59mFaster | Duration15h 20m |

There are several train options that can take you from Irvine to Merced:
See more detailsWhat is the price of a train ticket from Irvine to Merced?
In the last month, train tickets from Irvine to Merced cost about £64 when booked at the cheapest time. The further in advance you book your travels, the more likely it is you can find tickets at this price or lower.
Average train ticket prices from Irvine to Merced by travel date
Over the next 30 days, a one-way train trip from Irvine to Merced will cost between £62 and £73. Book in advance to secure the best price in the next few weeks.
Average train ticket prices from Irvine to Merced by month
Taking the train from Irvine to Merced usually costs about the same throughout the year. In general, train ticket prices for this route are fairly consistent, so expect to pay around £56 whenever you decide to travel.
Prices as travel date approaches
The price of train trips from Irvine to Merced doesn't fluctuate much throughout the year, so you don’t need to book your tickets super far in advance. However, to avoid last-minute price surges or sold-out tickets, we recommend purchasing your train tickets at least 48 hours before departure.
Which train should you take from Irvine to Merced?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Irvine to Merced. However, there are 6 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 6 | 9h 59m | £67.84 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railway service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned toilet, free WiFi and power sockets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 6 Amtrak trains from Irvine to Merced every day, as well as 6 trips at the weekends, with prices starting from £35.58.










Frequently asked questions about travelling by train from Irvine to Merced
While the train is the main method of transport from Irvine to Merced, it will only take you part of the way there. Please note that part of your trip will be on a different vehicle, most commonly a coach or express shuttle.
There are 6 scheduled trains on most days. Unfortunately, none of them are direct connections, so you will need to disembark from your original train and board a connecting train during your journey. Don't forget to bring your hand luggage when you switch trains. In some instances, you may also be responsible for transferring your own checked baggage. You can also take a train for your return trip from Merced to Irvine. If you're not set on travelling by train, you could always take the coach from Irvine to Merced for £48.
Trains per day
6
Direct trains
0
The distance between Irvine and Merced is approximately 292 miles. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 59 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours. Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a patchy signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and films to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
Distance (mi)
292
Distance (km)
470
The earliest train departs Irvine at 5:49 while the last train of the day leaves at 23:55. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full timetable for your specific travel dates.
First train
5:49am
Last train
11:55pm
Trains from Irvine to Merced are the most crowded on Tuesday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider travelling on Sunday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
Busiest
Tuesday
Least crowded
Sunday
City Information
Irvine



Though Irvine is probably most famous for its corporations and university campuses, the city is well worth the trip for its variety of attractions and activities. Start with a date night at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, which boasts an intimate atmosphere and superb acoustics. You could also check out the UCI Arboretum, where you can learn more about the unique flora of the coastal California region. The Beall Center for Art + Technology features interesting exhibitions that fuse modern art with futuristic technologies.
When you've worked up an appetite, you can find a wide variety of dining options available in the city. For some of the best Japanese dishes in town, check out Fukuda, which serves udon and soba dishes. If you are craving a good chicken parm, North Italia has just what you need!
It's easy to get to Irvine from anywhere in Southern California via intercity coaches or Amtrak trains. Flights operate through the nearby John Wayne Airport-Orange County Airport, just 4.3 miles away from downtown.
Merced
Merced is a beautiful city in the Central Valley of California. Nicknamed the Gateway to Yosemite, it’s no shock to learn Merced is only about an hour and a half drive from Yosemite National Park. But if you’d prefer to stay in town, Merced has an abundance of gorgeous parks, winding bike routes, golf courses, hiking, boating, fishing, camping – the list goes on.
For indoor fun, check out the Merced Multicultural Art Centre for art viewing and classes. Or, if you’re on the hunt for a bargain or home decor, visit the Merced Antique Mall with 7500 square feet of antiques and curios. Once you’ve worked up an appetite perusing, head to the Hilmar Cheese Company to tour the factory, watch the packaging process, and, the best part, eat all the free samples. To make it a full charcuterie meal, visit the Merced Fruit Barn. As a sort of farmer’s market, the Fruit Barn has arguably the best fresh and dried fruit in the state and a deli on-site for any and all sandwich needs.
The nearest major airport is Merced Regional Airport. Amtrak has routes through the city to Seattle, Yosemite Valley, and San Francisco, and Greyhound connects LA to Merced.
Station Information
Where is the train station in Irvine?
Main departure station: Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy

Irvine Station – also known as Irvine Transportation Center – is the busiest station in South Orange County, serving over a million passengers annually. It first opened in 1990 on the south side of the decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in the Spectrum district. The station serves Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner, Metrolink (Southern California's commuter rail system), and various local transit bus lines part of the Orange County Transportation Authority's network. In the vicinity of the station, there are hotels, offices, and shops. Irvine Station is also close to the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of SoCal's most popular entertainment and shopping destinations.
All train stations in Irvine:
- Irvine Transp Ctr - 15215 Barranca Pkwy
Where is the train station in Merced?
Main arrival station: 324 W 24th St
Merced has one train station.
Train stations in Merced:
- 324 W 24th St
Need a return trip from Merced to Irvine?
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