UPDATE | Ride the Rails to Yosemite National Park

Published Date

May 28, 2009

Take the train to Yosemite this summer. Amtrak photo.

Take the train to Yosemite National Park this summer / Amtrak file

Editor’s note: This updates with Amtrak 2024 information for getting to Yosemite National Park.

Train travel is a throwback back to a more romantic era in the United States, a form of transportation that often was the easiest way to traverse long distances. Today, with rising gas prices, it can also be an affordable way to travel to some national parks.

In California, Amtrak’s San Joaquins Train leads to several national park routes, including Yosemite National Park. While this train doesn’t run directly to the park, it will take you to the Merced, CA Station (MCD). Once you arrive at the station, you'll to transfer to Amtrak Thruway Bus (Route 15), which takes you directly to Yosemite Valley. This bus route is serviced by the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS), which operates both shuttle vans and luxury motorcoaches. Best of all — when purchasing Amtrak tickets to Yosemite, the (shuttle) bus ride and admission to the park are included. A motor coach will take you to a number of destinations in Yosemite.

Here's a look at the options, the prices of which may change depending upon departure time from the Amtrak station:

Fresno to Yosemite Village

$54 roundtrip, $27 one-way

Depart: Fresno Train Station

Arrive: Merced; Depart Merced via Motor Coach

Arrive: Yosemite (Lodge, Visitor Center, White Wolf Campground, Crane Flat Campground)

Los Angeles to Yosemite

$116 roundtrip, $58 one-way

Depart: Los Angeles Union Station via motor coach

Arrive: Bakersfield.

Depart: Bakersfield Train Station

Arrive: Merced; Depart: Merced Via motor coach

Arrive: Yosemite (Lodge, Visitor Center, White Wolf Campground, Crane Flat Campground)

Sacramento to Yosemite

$72 roundtrip, $36 one-way

Depart: Sacramento Train station

Arrive: Merced via motor Coach; Depart Merced via motor coach.

Arrive: Yosemite (Lodge, Visitor Center, White Wolf Campground, Crane Flat Campground)

San Diego to Yosemite

$140 roundtrip, $70 one-way

Depart:San Diego

$158 roundtrip, $66 one-way

Arrive: Bakersfield. Depart Bakersfield Train Station

Arrive: Merced; Depart: Merced Via motor coach

Arrive: Yosemite (Lodge, Visitor Center, White Wolf Campground, Crane Flat Campground)

San Francisco to Yosemite

$93 roundtrip, $40 one-way

Depart: San Francisco via motor coach

Arrive: Emeryville

Depart: Emeryville train station

Arrive: Merced; Depart: Merced via motor coach

Arrive Yosemite. (Lodge, Visitor Center, White Wolf Campground, Crane Flat Campground)

Quoted fares include the bus ride to Yosemite. The listed rates are for adults. There are family plans, student plans, and group travel plans available. Click here to make your choice and check rates.

Naturally, how long you spend en route to Yosemite depends on where you start your journey. That said, unless you're really close to the park, say in San Francisco, Sacramento or Fresno, these options might only make sense if you're heading to the park for several days. So, the rates you see above are for a week’s stay, using the example August 26, 2024 – September 2, 2024.

For instance, from Fresno, it takes 1 hour to get to Merced and 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to Yosemite. From Sacramento, it takes 2 hours to get to Merced and 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to Yosemite. Starting out from San Diego or Los Angeles can turn the one-way travel into a half-day, not a good option for a day trip.

Check this page for Amtrak baggage information and services, including but not limited to carry-on and checked baggage, checked baggage pricing, special items (bicycles, sporting items, baby items, etc.) and prohibited items.

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Comments

Submitted by robmutch on May 28, 2009 - 2:15pm.

Thanks for the information Kurt. I learned to love train travel while in the Navy (down in Long Beach before the base was closed). I would travel up and down the coast. Much less crowded than buses (except during commuter hours), more comfortable, and more of a view (especially in the upper view decks).

National Geographic just had a interesting inside history on Grand Central Station (Inside Grand Central Station) and part of it touched on the change from train travel to our love of cars.

Executive Director,
Crater Lake Institute
www.craterlakeinstitute.com
Robert Mutch Photography

Submitted by admin on May 28, 2009 - 2:27pm.

I used Amtrak to get to Yosemite last summer. I thought it was wasteful to rent a car because it would be sitting at a trailhead for nearly 2 weeks. I had no problems with ticketing or planning the trip. The train station in Sacramento is at the end of its light rail line (which unfortunately does not go to the airport). Once in Merced, I took a YARTS bus into the park, and it let me off at the lodge in the Valley.

On the way back, I took Amtrak to Richmond and rode the BART into San Francisco. I was ticketed on an Amtrak-chartered bus from Oakland to San Fran but chose to take the BART because of a "police incident" in Berkeley. All-in-all, it was a big money- and worry-saver over taking a car into the park, struggling to find parking, and dealing with the other drivers.

Submitted by raybane on May 28, 2009 - 10:59pm.

Back to the Future! In 1961, my wife and I traveled across the country by train ending up in Seattle. It remains one of our fondest travel memories. Rebuilding and expanding our national rail system is essential if we are to successfully adapt to a future of energy constraints.

Submitted by admin on July 27, 2012 - 11:41am.

Hi,

I see there is a train from LA to Yosemite, but I'm wondering if there is a train from Yosemite to LA? And where does it drop off in LA?

Thanks!

Submitted by Jim Burnett on July 27, 2012 - 12:13pm.

Dissaya T.

This trip can be taken in both directions between LA and Yosemite. You'll find more details at the following link:

http://www.amtrak.com/take-train-to-yosemite-park

Be sure you note that part of the trip is by "motor coach" (i.e. bus). Trains don't run all the way into Yosemite, and the leg from Bakersfield to LA is also by bus.

The Amtrak site says the last leg of the trip ends at Union Station in LA: 800 North Alameda Street.

Submitted by Anonymous on January 30, 2016 - 10:21am.

Thanks so much for all this information, makes our travel experience easier ...

Submitted by justin on April 11, 2019 - 10:28pm.

I am hiking the JMT September 21st does the bus still run to Yosemite that late

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