Cheap bus tickets from San Francisco to Merced
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Bus from San Francisco to Merced: Journey Information
There is one daily bus from San Francisco to Merced. Traveling by bus from San Francisco to Merced usually takes around 8 hours and 27 minutes, but the fastest Greyhound bus can make the trip in 6 hours and 15 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Shortest duration | 6h 15m |
| Cheapest price | $27.97 |
| Trips per day | 0 |
| Most frequent service | Greyhound |
| Bus lines | 2 |
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San Francisco to Merced Bus Schedule
Is it better to travel by bus or train from San Francisco to Merced?
There are usually 6 daily train trips available from San Francisco to Merced.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$43.66 | Avg. Price$37.61Cheaper |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips1 | Daily Trips6 |
Duration | Duration8h 27m | Duration3h 46mFaster |
There are several bus options that can take you from San Francisco to Merced:
See more detailsHow much is a bus ticket from San Francisco to Merced?
Bus tickets for a trip from San Francisco to Merced cost $27.97 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 San Francisco to Merced by travel date
If you're planning to travel by bus from San Francisco to Merced in the next month, the average ticket price is expected to range from $25 to $48. The cheapest bus tickets available in the next few weeks are for trips departing on September 15, 2026. If you’re looking to travel to Merced this week, bus tickets are available starting at $31.
Average bus ticket prices from San Francisco to Merced by month
Taking the bus from San Francisco to Merced is usually cheapest in August, when the average ticket price is only $30. If you're planning to take the bus from San Francisco to Merced during January, keep in mind that bus ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $59. However, booking your trip in advance can help you score a ticket at a better price.
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 18 days in advance. This way, you can save up to $27.76 on your bus ticket compared to booking last-minute.
What bus companies travel from San Francisco to Merced?
There are multiple buses that travel from San Francisco to Merced, including Greyhound, FlixBus US. Here is what you should know about the 2 most popular bus lines:
| BUS | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greyhound | 1 | 8h 33m | $43.88 |
| FlixBus US | 1 | 7h | $40.86 |
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 San Francisco to Merced every day, with the average journey taking around 8 hours and 33 minutes to complete. Bus tickets for Greyhound trips to Merced usually start from $25.47.
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 San Francisco to Merced, and the average ticket for this route costs only $40.86.
Frequently asked questions about traveling by bus from San Francisco to Merced
There is usually only one bus per day from San Francisco to Merced. However, it is not a direct bus, so you will have to get off your original vehicle to change buses during the trip. Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from San Francisco to Merced; ticket prices start at $37.
TRIPS PER DAY
1
DIRECT TRIPS
0
The bus takes an average of 8 hours and 27 minutes to cover the 111 miles from San Francisco to Merced. However, the fastest bus only takes 6 hours and 15 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.
DISTANCE (MI)
111
DISTANCE (KM)
179
There is usually only one bus per day from San Francisco to Merced. It leaves the station in San Francisco at 6:50pm each day. The time might vary for specific dates, so be sure to search on Wanderu for the most up-to-date information.
EARLIEST BUS
1:30pm
LATEST BUS
6:50pm
Because many passengers travel from San Francisco to Merced at the beginning of the work week, Monday is usually the busiest day for buses. If you are planning to travel on a Monday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out. On the other hand, Saturday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. If you’re looking for a little extra space, a Saturday ticket is the way to go.
MOST CROWDED
Monday
LEAST CROWDED
Saturday
City Information
San Francisco
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.
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 does the bus leave from in San Francisco?
Main departure station: Salesforce Transit Center
San Francisco has two bus stations with service to Merced.
All bus stations in San Francisco:
- Salesforce Transit Center
- Caltrain Station - 5th & Townsend St
Where does the bus arrive in Merced?
Main arrival station: Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
All buses from San Francisco arrive at one main station in Merced.
All bus stations in Merced:
- Viajes Express - 710 W 16th St
Need a return trip from Merced to San Francisco?
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