Find and compare the best ground travel options in one place.
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
There are usually 2 daily bus trips available from Merced to San Francisco.
Bus | Train | |
|---|---|---|
Avg. Price | Avg. Price$32.33 | Avg. Price$34.74 |
Daily Trips | Daily Trips2 | Daily Trips5 |
Duration | Duration4h 44m | Duration3h 27m |
5 trains operate daily from Merced to San Francisco. The train trip from Merced to San Francisco is usually about 3 hours and 27 minutes long. However, traveling on the fastest Amtrak train can get you there in as little as 3 hours and 22 minutes.
| Distance | 111 mi (179 km) |
| Fastest train | 3h 22m |
| Lowest price | $34.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
Average score for trains from Merced to San Francisco
(Based on 3 ratings and reviews)
5.0
Pros: I liked the short distance between the stores and our hotel. Cons: The seating arrangement. Tips: Sometimes the train or bus may be crowded.
5.0
Pros: Comfortable seating and the temp was comfortable. Not hot but not cold and the staff was very friendly and helpful. Cons: Nothing needs improvement. Tips: Be prepared to fall asleep. The ride is so relaxing and comfortable.
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Merced to San Francisco was $34.42. At this price, taking the train is the cheap and easy way to go. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to San Francisco if you book your train tickets at least 4 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $0.21.
The average cost of a one-way train trip from Merced to San Francisco is expected to fluctuate between $34 and $39 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to San Francisco in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Merced is $34.
Planning ahead pays off when it comes to booking your train trip from Merced to San Francisco. By reserving your ticket on Wanderu at least 4 days before departure, you can save around $0.21. Don't miss out on these savings — book in advance!
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Merced to San Francisco. However, there are 5 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 5 | 3h 27m | $34.99 |
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 Merced to San Francisco every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $34.
The distance between Merced and San Francisco is approximately 111 miles, or 179 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 3 hours and 27 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 3 hours and 22 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.
Monday tends to be the busiest day of the week with travelers taking trains from Merced to San Francisco. 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 Saturday instead, as less people travel then and deals are more likely to be found.
The earliest train departs Merced at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 7:00pm. 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 5 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 Francisco 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.
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.
There is one train station in Merced.
324 W 24th St
Image credit: 146109843@N05
Link to image attributionBehind a modern curved façade lies San Francisco’s commuter hub, the Salesforce Transit Center. This gateway to downtown San Francisco and the entire Bay Area welcomes tens of thousands of passengers every day. Finding your way around is easy thanks to more than 270 digital displays with transit information. The Salesforce Transit Center serves as a bus station for Greyhound and Amtrak Thruway buses, as well as several public transit options for convenient connections. A standout feature of the Salesforce Transit Center is a public five-acre rooftop park which gives travelers an open space to relax. Rotating food trucks, cafés, carts, and pop-up retail make this a dynamic and vibrant destination in itself.
San Francisco, California
$33+
$17+
$57+
$44+
$11+
$36+
$76+
$27+
$67+
$24+
$21+
$310+
$286+
$226+
$480+
$317+
$152+
With just a quick search on Wanderu, you can compare bus and train schedules and prices from hundreds of travel companies in one convenient place to find the trip that works best for you. Wanderu’s simple checkout process makes it easy to book cheap bus and train tickets hassle-free. Most importantly, as Wanderu is an official partner of all leading bus and train companies, we always have the best bus and train deals out there.
