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Merced to Sacramento train

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Merced - Sacramento Train Timetable

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Trip Summary

15 trains operate daily from Merced to Sacramento. The train trip from Merced to Sacramento is usually about 3 hours and 26 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 2 hours and 12 minutes.

Distance104 mi (168 km)
Fastest train2h 12m
Lowest price€12.25
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

Train Trip Reviews from Wanderu Customers

Overall score for trains from Merced to Sacramento

(Based on 5 ratings and reviews)

4.8

5.0

Erick

20 March 2023- Solo travel

Amtrak

Quick trip

4.0

Doris

29 January 2023- Visiting friends

Amtrak San Joaquins

Pros: I just love train rides! Cons: Notification of schedule changes.

5.0

Abbas

17 December 2022- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: It was safe. Cons: N/a. Tips: N/a.

5.0

Kim

20 July 2021- Visiting family

Amtrak

Pros: The train and bus were very clean! I was really impressed with the hard wood floors on the bus. The staff was very professional and friendly. I will continue to utilize and recommend to family and friends. Keep up the great work! Cons: Nothing in my opinion. Tips: Just sit back and enjoy the ride!

What is the price of a train ticket from Merced to Sacramento?

In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Merced to Sacramento was €21.70. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Sacramento if you book your train tickets at least 29 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra €3.34.

Average prices by travel date

€28€19€9AprApr

For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Merced to Sacramento will range from €21 to €25. If you're planning to travel by train to Sacramento in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Merced you can find in the next 7 days is €22. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.

Monthly average prices

€24€19€14€9€5MJJASONDJFMA
Ticket prices for the train from Merced to Sacramento stay pretty consistent throughout the year. You can expect to pay around €20 regardless of when you plan to travel.

Prices as travel date approaches

€47€38€28€19€93020100

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 Sacramento 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 Merced to Sacramento?

2 train services operate from Merced to Sacramento. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 14 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak143h 31m€23.85
Amtrak San Joaquins12h 16m€17.30
  • 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 14 Amtrak trains from Merced to Sacramento every day, as well as 18 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from €12.

  • 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

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Merced to Sacramento. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.
The distance between Merced and Sacramento is approximately 104 miles, or 168 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 26 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 2 hours and 12 minutes. Although it takes a couple of hours each way, it's still possible to make a round trip in a single day. Since most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, you should be able to browse the Internet or get some work done during your journey.

Trains departing from Merced to Sacramento tend to have the most passengers on Thursday. With higher demand ticket prices also tend to be higher on Thursday. If you are trying to snag a cheap train tickets or just want an emptier train you'll have better luck by booking travel departing on Monday as the least number of people tend to travel then.

The earliest train departs Merced at 07:00 while the last train of the day leaves at 21:00. 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 15 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Merced to Sacramento. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Sacramento to Merced.

City Information

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.

Sacramento

As the long-held capital city of California, Sacramento has a rich and vibrant history that is reflected in its historic buildings and quarters. The Old Sacramento Waterfront quarter is the best place to explore the city’s rich heritage. Boasting ages-old constructions and a quaint vibe that is reminiscent of the Wild West, the area allows visitors to travel back in time and relive the Gold Rush era. Among the most interesting destinations in the area is the California State Museum, located at the northern edge of the quarter. It offers numerous restored locomotives as well as exhibitions on the United States’ westward expansion. If history is not really your thing, then the Midtown quarter, which boasts a vibrant and expanding art scene, will be a great alternative.

Sacramento is famous for its vast tracts of farmland, so it makes sense that the best dishes are the ones made from locally-grown produce. Among the best places to try out homemade dishes are The Firehouse and The Kitchen. For a bit of an Asian taste, visit Mikuni in Midtown Sacramento.

The busiest bus station in Sacramento is located right in the heart of the city and offers bus service to Portland, Reno, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, among many other places. The main Amtrak train station is the nearby Sacramento Valley Station, which also serves the Gold Line of the local transit light rail. The principal regional airport is the Sacramento International Airport, located 10 miles northwest of Downtown.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Merced?

Main departure station: 324 W 24th St

There is one train station in Merced.

All train stations in Merced:

  • 324 W 24th St

Where is the train station in Sacramento?

Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-0

Image credit: rosemarie_mckeon

Link to image attribution
Valley Station - 401 I St  - SACAMT-1

Image credit: Lev Lazinskiy

Link to image attribution

Main arrival station: Valley Station - 401 I St

Sacramento Valley Station is the second busiest transport hub in California and is used by more than one million people every year. Originally constructed in 1926, it now serves as a major center for Amtrak trains traveling within California, northwards along the West Coast, and eastwards into the American Southwest. The station also falls along four Amtrak Thruway bus routes and operates as the western terminus for the Sacramento Light Rail network. Located between Old Sacramento and Downtown, the station is within walking distance of several Gold-Rush era historical monuments as well as an ultra-modern retail district filled with shops and restaurants.

Train stations in Sacramento:

  • Valley Station - 401 I St

  • 1389 10th Street 10th and N Streets

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