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Transportation

Transportation and Parking Services

UC Merced's Transportation and Parking Services, or TAPS,  provides information and services to all students, faculty and staff. CatTracks is the UC Merced bus service, free with a UC Merced CatCard. TAPS also provides parking permits for on-campus parking.

CatTracks UC Merced bus service live tracker: https://cattracks.ridesystems.net/routes 

Traveling to Merced

Merced is located two to three hours away from several major international airports. Students coming to the area often fly into San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Jose and Sacramento. The Office of International Affairs has compiled a list of methods that students can use to get to Merced from some of these major airports.

The information is not comprehensive of all the methods and prices available. Please note prices may have changed since published. It is advised to research various options and make arrangements before you arrive in the USA.

Click here to download the entire report in Microsoft Word format.

Prices are estimates only, based on time of publication (2020). Prices subject to change. Amtrak and bus prices are for one-way fares only, and do not include taxi or rideshare to or from station(s).

From San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Website - Directions

      Price*  Company  Travel Info  Additional  Comments
 Train

 $30-$40

 (one way)

 AMTRAK

 Website

1-800-872-7245

Take BART from the International Terminal to Coliseum/Oakland Airport  (one transfer), cross  Pedestrian Bridge to board AMTRAK for Merced

Some traveling on AMTRAK requires train-to-bus transfers. Approximate travel time: 4 hours 10 minutes
 Bus

 $18-47

 (one way)

Greyhound Bus

 Website

1-800-231-2222

Will have to take either a  taxi or BART from the airport to the SF Greyhound Station Approximate travel time: 4 hours
 Taxi

 $300-500

 Prices may vary depending on company

 Luxor Cabs

 1-415-282-4141

 Airport Taxi Cab

 1-650-755-1234 

Additional fees may apply for gas, time in traffic, etc. Approximate travel time: 2.5 hours
 Car Rental

 $150 (approximately, one way)

 Prices may vary depending on company

Enterprise

Hertz

Additional fees may apply

Will have to pick car up at  SFO and drop off at the rental car office in Merced

Approximate travel time: 2.5 hours
 Limo/Town Car Cost depends on type of vehicle, this usually the most expensive means of transportation 

 SF Limo

 1-800-632-1212

 San Francisco Limo Company

 1-415-801-3355

 

Additional fees may apply,  gratuity is usually included Approximate travel time: 2.5 hours

 *BART: Bay Area Rapid Transit - Bay Area train system

 

From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Website - Directions

     Price*  Company  Travel Info  Additional  Comments
 Train

 $40-$50

 (one way)

 AMTRAK

 Website

 1-800-872-7245

Take the FLYAWAY shuttle from LAX to Union Station, board AMTRAK there. AMTRAK from LA to Merced will depart from the bus terminal.

Some traveling on AMTRAK requires train-to-bus transfers. Approximate travel time: 7 hours
 Bus

 $21-64

 (one way)

 Greyhound Bus

 Website

 1-800-231-2222

Take taxi from the airport to the LA Greyhound Station Approximate travel time: 4 hours
 Taxi

 $500-900

Prices vary  depending on  company

 A Yellow Cab Taxi

 1-562-927-0707

 Yellow Cab Co. LA

 1-877-733-3305

Additional fees may apply for gas, time in traffic, etc.  Approximate travel time: 5 hours
 Car Rental

 $120

 Hertz

Additional fees may apply. Pick car up at LAX and drop off at office  in Merced.

Approximate travel time: 5 hours
 Limo/Town Car Cost depends on type of vehicle ordered

Merced Car Service and Limo Rental

 1-800-786-7180

 

Additional fees may apply, gratuity is usually included Approximate travel time: 5 hours

  

From Fresno Yosemite Airport (FYI): Website - Directions

     Price*  Company  Travel Info  Additional  Comments
 Train

 $13

 (one way)

 AMTRAK

 

Take taxi from the airport to the AMTRAK station in Fresno

Some traveling on AMTRAK requirestrain-to-bus transfers.  Approximate travel time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
 Bus

 $13-31

 (one way)

 Greyhound Bus

 Website

 1-800-231-2222

Take taxi from the airport to the Fresno Greyhound Station Approximate travel time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
 Taxi

 $150-250

 Prices vary depending on company

 Bulldog Express Delivery

 1-559-485-6000

24/7 Taxi

 1-559-201-7171

Additional fees may apply for gas, time in traffic, etc. Approximate travel time: 1 hour
 Car Rental

 $90

 Hertz

Additional fees may apply

Pick car up at FYI and drop off at office in Merced

Approximate travel time: 1 hour
 Limo/Town Car Cost depends on type of vehicle ordered

Merced Car Service and Limo Rental

  1-800-786-7180

Luxury Limousine Service

 1-866-537-5566

 

Additional fees may apply, gratuity is usually included Approximate travel time: 1 hour

 

 Sacramento (SMF): Website - Directions

     Price*  Company  Travel Info  Additional  Comments
 Train

 $20-25

 (one way)

 AMTRAK

 Website

 1-800-872-7245

Take taxi from the airport to the AMTRAK station in  Sacramento

Some traveling on AMTRAK requires train-to- bus transfers. Approximate travel time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
 Bus

 $30-$78

 (one way)

 Greyhound Bus

 Website

 1-800-231-2222

Take a taxi from the airport to the Sacramento Greyhound Station Approximate travel time: 3 hours
 Taxi

 $300-$500

 Prices vary  depending on company

 Dave's Airport  Shuttle Taxi

 1-916-879-6000

Additional fees may apply for gas, time in traffic, etc. Approximate travel time: 2 hours
 Car Rental

 $88

 Prices vary  depending on company

 Hertz

 Avis

 Budget

Additional fees may apply. Pick car up at SMF and drop off at office in Merced

Approximate travel time: 2 hours
 Limo/Town Car Cost depends on type of vehicle ordered

Universal Limousine

 1-916-361-5466

 Limousine Club

 1-800-757-6093

Additional fees may apply, gratuity is usually included Approximate travel time: 2 hours

Find more information about obtaining a California Driver's License.