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 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 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 |
1-415-282-4141 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 |
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 |
1-800-632-1212 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 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 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 |
1-562-927-0707 1-877-733-3305 |
Additional fees may apply for gas, time in traffic, etc. | Approximate travel time: 5 hours |
| Car Rental |
$120 |
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 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 1-559-201-7171 |
Additional fees may apply for gas, time in traffic, etc. | Approximate travel time: 1 hour |
| Car Rental |
$90 |
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 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 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 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 |
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 |
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 |
1-916-361-5466 1-800-757-6093 |
Additional fees may apply, gratuity is usually included | Approximate travel time: 2 hours |
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