Cheap bus tickets from Merced to San Francisco
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Merced to San Francisco Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from Merced to San Francisco?
There are usually 9 daily train trips available from Merced to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$48.12 | Avg. Price$38.18 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips9 |
Duration | Duration7h 35m | Duration3h 31m |
Bus from Merced to San Francisco: Journey Information
There are 2 intercity buses per day from Merced to San Francisco. Traveling by bus from Merced to San Francisco usually takes around 6 hours and 53 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 20 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 20m |
| Cheapest price | $28.47 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
How much is a bus ticket from Merced to San Francisco?
Bus tickets for a trip from Merced to San Francisco cost $36.24 on average. Opting to take a bus is a wallet-friendly way to make this trip. If you book your trip ahead of time using Wanderu, you can easily find bus tickets at or below this price.
Average bus ticket prices from Merced to San Francisco by month
Prices as travel date approaches
Most bus companies charge higher ticket prices closer to the date of travel, so it’s a good idea to buy your bus tickets as early as possible. To find the cheapest bus tickets, book your trip at least 25 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $31.98 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from Merced to San Francisco?
There are two bus lines that have daily service from Merced to San Francisco that you can compare and book on Wanderu. However, each company only runs one bus per day.
| Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus US | 1 | 8h 55m | $61.47 |
| Greyhound | 1 | 6h 21m | $54.15 |
FlixBus US is the American branch of German bus company FlixBus, known for providing sustainable, affordable, and modern bus travel. The company offers cheap bus tickets to popular urban destinations throughout the United States. FlixBus US buses include many amenities, including comfortable seats, free WiFi, power outlets at every seat, and an online portal for free entertainment. On average, FlixBus US operates 1 trips per day from Merced to San Francisco, and the average ticket for this route costs only .
Greyhound is the largest nationwide bus carrier in the United States, offering cheap, safe and reliable service across the country. Greyhound has become a household name, serving over 16 million passengers per year with daily trips to over 2,400 destinations. Greyhound performs about 1 bus trips from Merced to San Francisco every day, with the average journey taking around 6 hours and 21 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to San Francisco usually start from $28.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from Merced to San Francisco
The bus takes an average of 6 hours and 53 minutes to cover the 111 miles from Merced to San Francisco. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 20 minutes. It’s definitely on the longer side, so plan to get comfortable for a long road trip. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Sunday tends to be the busiest day for buses, as many passengers take the bus to San Francisco at the end of the week. If you are planning to travel on a Sunday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Friday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Friday ticket is the way to go.
The first bus leaves at 6:00am and the last bus leaves at 2:00pm. To see the times for all buses from Merced to San Francisco, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are usually only 2 buses per day from Merced to San Francisco. However, neither bus offers direct service, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to transfer buses during the trip.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from Merced to San Francisco; ticket prices start at $34.00.
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.
San Francisco
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Image credit: Unsplash
Located in the heart of Northern California's Bay Area, San Francisco is a geographically small but culturally huge city known for its historic cable cars, active waterfront, and the eclectic mix of hippies and techies who call it home. While it might be one of the most expensive U.S. cities to live in, San Fran can actually be very cheap to visit, and there is no shortage of unique sights to see.
If the city's omnipresent fog (nicknamed "Karl the Fog" by locals) takes a break, the best views and Instagram photo ops of the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge are found in Golden Gate Park. Stroll through the oldest Chinatown in North America to find the perfect dim sum, or if you and your boo prefer a little Full House moment, try a romantic picnic at Alamo Square Park in front of the Victorian "Painted Ladies." After all, San Francisco is one of the best vacation destinations for couples.
Since the city is condensed onto a small peninsula, exploring by bike is an efficient and scenic way to get around. When you’re ready to travel beyond city limits, San Francisco is a convenient hub for trips throughout Northern California. It's actually the first stop on Wanderu's West Coast Wine Tour, with the next stop, obviously, in Napa Valley. Whether traveling by bus, train, or through either of the two nearby airports, San Francisco is a can't-miss destination.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in Merced?
Main departure station: Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
Merced has two bus stations with service to San Francisco.
All bus stations in Merced:
Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
1579 Martin Luther King Jr Way
Where does the bus arrive in San Francisco?
Main arrival station: Salesforce Transit Center
All buses from Merced arrive at one main station in San Francisco.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
Salesforce Transit Center
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from San Francisco to Merced?
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