- Recommended
Merced County Courthouse Museum
Local history museum inside the former courthouse, featuring exhibits on Merced County communities, agriculture, and civic life.
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA will cost around €31 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €28.
On Tue, Nov 03, we found 2 buses from San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA, including 2 direct services.
On Tue, Nov 03 the direct buses cover the 179 km distance in an average of 8 h 55 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 55 m .
On Tue, Nov 03 the slowest buses will take 8 h 55 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||

|
| ||||||||||||
Buses from San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 5h 40m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at €21 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:00, the last at 21:19. The fastest bus covers the 111 miles (179 km) distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 111 miles (179 km) |
Average bus duration 5h 40m |
Cheapest ticket price €21 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 6:00 AM |
Last bus 9:19 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Best time to book 1 day |
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 12:00AM | Arrival Time 08:55AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price €34 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 07:10PM | Arrival Time 01:05AM | Duration 5h55 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price €40 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:00PM | Arrival Time 07:55AM | Duration 8h55 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price €28 |
The table below shows live departures for San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA buses for today, Monday, November 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 11:00 PM San Francisco, CA | 8h55 | 7:55 AM Merced, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Tuesday, November 3 | |||||
![]() | 12:00 AM San Francisco, CA | 8h55 | 8:55 AM Merced, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
Discover the best of Merced, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Merced, CA trip today.
Local history museum inside the former courthouse, featuring exhibits on Merced County communities, agriculture, and civic life.
Community arts venue in downtown Merced hosting visual art exhibitions, performances, and cultural events in a historic setting.
University gallery presenting rotating contemporary art exhibitions and public programs on the UC Merced campus.
Large urban park featuring a lake, walking loop, playgrounds, and broad views, especially pleasant in cooler hours.
Popular city park with a lake, walking paths, picnic areas, and open space for relaxed outdoor time near downtown.
Downtown civic and cultural district with shops, murals, events, and historic buildings suited to an easy walking visit.
Tri-tip barbecue is a Central California staple: beef sirloin cut, simply seasoned and grilled over red oak. It is tied to the region’s ranching and roadside barbecue culture.
Chile verde is common across Merced’s Mexican-American food scene: pork simmered in roasted green chile sauce, served with rice, beans, or tortillas.
Birria is a richly spiced stewed meat dish, often goat or beef, served with consommé. It reflects the strong Jalisco-style Mexican food traditions in the Central Valley.
Popular casual spot for classic American breakfast and lunch. Known for hearty plates, pies, and a friendly small-town diner atmosphere.
Established local brewery and pub serving house beers, burgers, and comfort food in a relaxed downtown setting.
Long-running local favorite for Salvadoran and Mexican cooking, especially pupusas and traditional comfort dishes in a casual setting.
Moderate for California. Hotels and dining are usually cheaper than major coastal cities, while car travel is common and public transit use is limited.
Tip 15-20% at restaurants, about 10-15% for taxis, and $1-2 for café drinks if there is table service.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Merced, CA.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Merced, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most San Francisco, CA to Merced, CA buses use the San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 to Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station) station pair. Use this guide to compare San Francisco, CA and Merced, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 is 2 km from San Francisco city centre. Public transport options include:
San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29 has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29. ATMs are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Ticket office support is available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29.
Available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at San Francisco, Transit Center Bay 29: Wheelchair accessible areas present.
Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Available for passengers. ATMs are available at Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station).
Ticket office support is available at Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station).
Available at Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Merced, W 16th St (Greyhound Bus Station): Wheelchair accessible entrance.
Check bus stations information for San Francisco, CA and Merced, CA, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need