Lowest Prices
We find the cheapest bus & train tickets, so you can wander for less.
Best Travel Options
We partner with 500+ carriers to bring you the most bus & train options.
Quick & Easy Booking
Book trips quickly with a simple, hassle-free checkout – online & on our app.
Fast Customer Support
We don’t monkey around. We respond within minutes to help you out.
Trip Summary
There are usually 3 daily train trips available from Merced to Santa Cruz. Traveling by train from Merced to Santa Cruz usually takes 5 hours and 23 minutes, but the fastest Amtrak train can make the trip in 4 hours and 25 minutes.
| Distance | 88 mi (142 km) |
| Fastest train | 4h 25m |
| Lowest price | $27.00 |
| Most frequent service | Amtrak |
| Train lines | 1 |
What is the price of a train ticket from Merced to Santa Cruz?
In the last 30 days, the average cost of a train ticket from Merced to Santa Cruz was $29.36. This is a fantastic deal for train travel. You have the best chances of scoring the cheapest ticket to Santa Cruz if you book your train tickets at least 28 days in advance. Waiting to purchase until the day of your trip could end up costing you an extra $3.28.
Average prices by travel date
For the next 30 days, the cost of a one-way train trip from Merced to Santa Cruz will range from $28 to $36. If you're planning to travel by train to Santa Cruz in the upcoming week, the cheapest train ticket from Merced you can find in the next 7 days is $30. Be sure to book your trip in advance as train ticket prices typically increase as your travel date approaches.
Monthly avg. prices
Prices as travel date approaches
The average price of train tickets from Merced to Santa Cruz is pretty stable year-round. However, we still suggest buying your train tickets at least 48 hours prior to departure to avoid unexpected price hikes and the possibility of the train being sold out.
Which train should you take from Merced to Santa Cruz?
Amtrak is the one and only train line which connects Merced to Santa Cruz. However, there are 3 trains per day to choose from.
| Train | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | 3 | 5h 24m | $31.16 |
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 3 Amtrak trains from Merced to Santa Cruz every day, as well as 4 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $27.
Frequently Asked Questions
The distance between Merced and Santa Cruz is approximately 88 miles, or 142 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 5 hours and 23 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 4 hours and 25 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.
Trains from Merced to Santa Cruz are the most crowded on Sunday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Wednesday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.
The earliest train departs Merced at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 3:00pm. 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 3 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 Santa Cruz 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.
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 Santa Cruz?
Main arrival station: Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz has one train station.
All train stations in Santa Cruz:
Santa Cruz, California
Get around town with Moovit
Need a return trip from Santa Cruz to Merced?
Search Train TicketsPlan your next adventure
More trains from Merced
Continue by train from Santa Cruz
- Santa Cruz to Anaheim Train
$114+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Berkeley
$27+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Burbank
$96+
- Santa Cruz to Chico Train
$55+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Emeryville
$27+
- Santa Cruz to Fremont Train
$18+
- Train from Santa Cruz to Hanford
$49+
- Santa Cruz to Los Angeles
$89+
- Santa Cruz to Monterey Train
$47+
Check out these popular routes
Wanderu is the simplest way to book bus and train travel.
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.
Book buses and trains on the go with the Wanderu app.
Download our app and snag the best travel deals across North America & Europe.Learn more