4.0
Pros: Good seating and friendly staff. Cons: Assigned seating would be helpful? Tips: Don’t be afraid to bring extra luggage instead of a single bag.
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There are usually 8 daily bus trips available from Merced to San Diego.
Bus | Train | |
---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$70.46 | Avg. Price$81.15 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips8 | Daily Trips4 |
Duration | Duration11h 34m | Duration9h 24m |
You can pick from 4 daily train trips between Merced and San Diego. The average train journey from Merced to San Diego takes 9 hours and 25 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Distance | 368 mi (593 km) |
Fastest train | 8h 40m |
Lowest price | $54.00 |
Most frequent service | Amtrak |
Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Merced to San Diego
(Based on 1 ratings and reviews)
4.0
Pros: Good seating and friendly staff. Cons: Assigned seating would be helpful? Tips: Don’t be afraid to bring extra luggage instead of a single bag.
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Merced to San Diego was $72.83. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Diego if you book your train tickets at least 7 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $9.61.
If you're looking to save on your train trip from Merced to San Diego, book online with Wanderu at least 7 days in advance. That way, you’ll save $9.61 compared to booking your ticket last minute.
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Merced to San Diego. However, there are 4 trains per day to choose from.
Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Amtrak | 4 | 9h 26m | $78.59 |
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 4 Amtrak trains from Merced to San Diego every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $54.
The distance between Merced and San Diego is approximately 368 miles, or 593 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 25 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours and 40 minutes.
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 spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.
On a weekly basis, the greatest number of passengers tend to travel by trains from Merced to San Diego on Saturday. Tickets for Saturday tend to also be the most expensive. For savvy travelers looking for cheaper priced tickets search for travel departing on Sunday. Sunday also tend to have less passengers which may make boarding faster and let you snag your perfect seat.
The earliest train departs Merced at 8:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 8:00pm. 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 4 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 carry-on 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 San Diego to 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 Diego is known as "America's Finest City" for its sunny weather, white-sand beaches, and dazzling attractions from Belmont Park to SeaWorld. San Diego's 70 miles of pristine beaches include such gems as Mission Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Cove, and Coronado Beach. The city's strong surfing culture may even inspire you to rent a surfboard and catch the epic waves, bro.
Visitors can spend days getting lost in Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre cultural hub which features 16 museums, immaculate gardens, and the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The historic heart of the city, Old Town, showcases San Diego's heritage and ties to Mexican culture, while other sights like the USS Midway pay tribute to the city's military and maritime history. Leave time for some evening exploring, too! San Diego is rated the #1 best city for craft beer in America, so don't miss out on the bars in the Gaslamp Quarter: 16 walkable blocks packed with nightlife and young crowds.
Two airports, as well as many bus and train options, mean it is easy to get to San Diego from afar or from nearby cities like Tijuana, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
There is one train station in Merced.
324 W 24th St
Image credit: Doug Letterman
Link to image attributionThe Santa Fe Depot is the main train station in San Diego and one of the end points of the Pacific Surfliner, the only Amtrak train line that serves the city. The station is also used by the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley light rail transit service and the COASTER commuter rail service that connects the city with the central and northern coastal regions of San Diego County. Opened in 1915, the Santa Fe Depot is famous for its Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture and grand interior space that features natural redwood beam ceilings and ceramic details. The train station is located in the heart of Downtown San Diego, making it easy to reach from all parts of the city.
Santa Fe Depot - 1050 Kettner Blvd
4005 Taylor St
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