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Trip Summary
There are 11 daily trains from Stockton to Merced. Traveling by train from Stockton to Merced usually takes around one hour and 29 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak San Joaquins train can make the trip in one hour and 12 minutes.
| Distance | 63 mi (102 km) |
| Fastest train | 1h 12m |
| Lowest price | £8.90 |
| Trains per day | 6 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak San Joaquins |
| Train lines | 2 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Stockton to Merced?
The average price for a train ticket from Stockton to Merced is £11.33, This is one of the best deals we’ve seen for train fares recently. By booking your trip at least 3 days in advance, you increase your chances of scoring even cheaper tickets. But if you wait until the day of your trip to book tickets, expect to pay £0.74 more.
Monthly average prices
Prices as travel date approaches
Since ticket prices on this route stay pretty consistent, you don’t need to book way in advance. However, we recommend buying your train ticket to Merced at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure to prevent any unpleasant surprises, like last-minute surges in price or sold-out tickets.
Which train should you take from Stockton to Merced?
2 train services operate from Stockton to Merced. Amtrak San Joaquins usually has more trains scheduled, with 6 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 2h 0m | £16.38 |
| Amtrak San Joaquins | 6 | 1h 13m | £9.97 |
Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad 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 restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 5 Amtrak trains from Stockton to Merced every day, as well as 5 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from £15.
After becoming a permanent Amtrak rail route in 1974, the San Joaquins has offered train services throughout California and the San Joaquin Valley. The line runs daily from the San Francisco Bay Area to Bakersfield, with many stops in between, including Martinez and Modesto. Although Amtrak San Joaquins is one of the nation's busiest routes, it is renowned for being impeccably clean and safe, with passenger comfort remaining the carrier's highest priority. Most of the trains on this line are equipped with lavatories, onboard WiFi, disabled access, and personal power outlets, ensuring a comfortable journey for every passenger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Stockton to Merced. Ticket price also tend to be more expensive on Monday than other days. If you are hoping to have more room on the train and even save some change check out travel options on Thursday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Stockton at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 19:00. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.
There are 11 scheduled trains on most days. 6 of these are direct connections to Merced. While direct trains may still make stops along the way, you will not need to switch trains at any point. If you're looking to get to your destination faster, a direct train is the convenient and time-efficient choice.
You can also take a train for your return trip from Merced to Stockton.
City Information
Stockton
Stockton, California, is a diverse, creative, and culturally rich city. It's also in the perfect place for various Cali weekend trips, with Sacramento, San Francisco, and Yosemite National Park all within reach. Stockton is an excellent place to post up while touring Northern California.
And of course, there's plenty to do in the city itself. The Bob Hope Theatre, sometimes known as "The Fox" by locals, is a popular entertainment venue and a beautifully preserved piece of Stockton's history. The recent refurbishment has produced a magnificent place for local arts productions, film, dance, comedy, and Broadway-style entertainment, as well as the newest in top-name musical entertainment.
Amtrak has multiple routes to Stockton from Bakersfield, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Jefferson Lines provides the most bus service to the city, and buses go from Stockton to cities across the nation, including Phoenix, Huntington Park, and even Ontario. The city has its own airport, Stockton Airport (SCK), although some travelers also use the airport in Sacramento for more flight options.
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 Stockton?
Main departure station: Cabral Station - 949 E Channel St
There are two stations in Stockton where you can board the train to Merced.
All train stations in Stockton:
Cabral Station - 949 E Channel St
735 S San Joaquin St
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
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