Sacramento to Yosemite: 4 Easy Ways to Travel [By Bus, Train, Tour, Car]

There are different ways to travel from Sacramento to Yosemite. Depending on your preferred travel time, budget, and mode of transportation, there are four options you can choose from.

Whether you want to find the cheapest option or you just want to get to Yosemite as quickly as possible, this guide will help you figure out the best way to get there.

In a hurry? The best way to travel from Sacramento to Yosemite is by taking this full-day guided tour. This tour has received over ⭐ 1200+ five-star reviews – that many people can’t be wrong!

How to get from Sacramento to Yosemite

There are four ways to get from Sacramento to Yosemite National Park. Traveling by bus is the best option if you’re on a budget.

If you’re looking for the quickest option, driving will only take about three to four hours. If you don’t want to drive or ride the bus, you can take the train.

For those visiting Yosemite for the first time, booking a tour is also a great option to consider.

	Length of Time	Cost
By Train	5:15 hrs	$43
By Bus	6:31 hrs	$38
By Tour	14-15 hours (full-day trip)	$169-$199
By Car	3-4 hours	Cost of Gas

1. Sacramento to Yosemite by Train

• Cost: $24 (Amtrak) + $19 (YARTS) = $43
• Travel Time: 5:15 hrs
• Suggested Route: Amtrak Train from Sacramento > Merced Station > YARTS to Yosemite Valley
• Onboard Services: Seating options, air-conditioning, onboard dining, Wi-Fi, desk, power outlets, restrooms, bicycle-friendly, wheelchair and ADA accessible
• Earliest Train to Merced: 6:26 a.m.
• VIEW TRAIN TICKETS

Traveling from Sacramento to Yosemite by train is perfect for those who don’t want to drive but prefer a scenic and more comfortable mode of transportation.

From Sacramento Valley Station, take Amtrak’s San Joaquin line and get off at Merced Station. Then transfer to the YARTS bus, which will take you directly to Yosemite National Park.

You can book your tickets offline, but it’s best to reserve them online ahead of time.

You can buy both tickets separately, but Amtrak has a combined option that includes the YARTS bus ticket.

If you want to take the fastest trip to Yosemite, book the bus that leaves at 6:26 a.m. on Amtrak, as it is the only direct trip they offer.

That trip, which connects to YARTS in Merced, will take 5 hours and 15 minutes, and you’ll be at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center by 11:41 a.m.

2. Sacramento to Yosemite by Bus

• Cost: $15 (Greyhound Bus) + $19 (YARTS) = $38
• Travel Time: 6:31 hrs
• Suggested Route: Greyhound Bus from Sacramento > Merced Bus Station > YARTS to Yosemite Valley
• Onboard Services: Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining leather seats, extra legroom, restroom, onboard entertainment (Greyhound); Air-conditioning, on-board lavatory, bicycle-friendly, wheelchair and ADA accessible (YARTS)
• CHECK BUS TICKETS | YARTS 

If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get to Yosemite from Sacramento, taking the bus is the best choice for you.

From Sacramento Bus Station, board the Greyhound Bus and get off at Merced Bus Station. From there, transfer to the YARTS bus that will take you directly to Yosemite Valley.

Unfortunately, only the 2:05 p.m. and 10:25 p.m. Greyhound buses are direct trips. The 8:55 a.m. trip is the earliest, but you’ll have to transfer buses at Oakland Station, and it will take about 5 hours and 50 minutes to get to Merced. 

The fastest way to get to Yosemite Valley is by riding the 10:25 p.m. night bus, which arrives at Merced at 1:00 a.m. Wait for the 5:00 a.m. YARTS bus, and you’ll be at Yosemite Valley Visitors Center by 7:16 a.m. 

Another option is to take the 2:05 p.m. bus, then catch the connecting YARTS bus in Merced which leaves at 5:40 p.m.

If your accommodation is along the YARTS bus route such as Yosemite Bug, then this is the best way to go and you can head to the park in the early morning the next day.

3. By Tour 

• Trip Duration: Full Day ~14-15 hours
• Yosemite Park and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

If you’re a tourist visiting Yosemite for the first time, consider going on a scenic day tour that will take you to the iconic locations in Yosemite National Park.

Take note that these tours leave from San Francisco, so you can either spend the night there to take the full day tour with a hotel pick-up at 5:50 a.m. to 6:30 a.m., or take the one way transfer to the park that leaves at 3:00 p.m.   

This full-day tour is limited to 15 travelers, so you’ll have a more personalized and intimate experience.

You’ll be able to enjoy Yosemite Park’s highlights along with a hike through Tuolomne Grove to see Yosemite’s giant sequoia trees (weather permitting).

Food and beverages are not included, so pack some snacks before going.

If you are simply looking for a transfer service, this one-way transfer leaves at 3:00 p.m. everyday from San Francisco and includes your entrance fee to the park so you don’t have to worry about reservations beforehand.

You check out the different ways to get to San Francisco from Sacramento in this post and how to travel back to Sacramento from SF here.

4. By Car

• Suggested Route: Via 99 S – 120 E
• Travel Time: 3:10 hrs
• Notable Stops: Jamestown (Gold Rush Town)

Driving is the best option if you’re planning to go on a day trip to Yosemite from Sacramento while exploring the charming towns along the way.

You can get a rental car so you will have complete control over your time, and you can stop at the sights along the way making it a fun road trip.

If you’re driving via 99 S and 120 E, you can take the Hetch Hetchy Entrance or the Big Oak Flat Entrance. Both would take around three hours to get there.

See the different Yosemite entrances here. Take note that the Hetch Hetchy Entrance has limited hours during wintertime.

Highway 120 leads directly to the Big Oak Flat Entrance, which is very popular, especially during summertime.

If you prefer lesser crowds, take the Hetch Hetchy entrance instead, which leads to the park’s more secluded areas. 

This route has a very windy section, so have some motion sickness medication on hand. This is the best route if you want to visit Tuolumne Grove before heading into the park.

📢Local Tip: You can check out this article to find out where exactly Yosemite National Park is located.

• Suggested Route: Via 99 S – 140 E
• Travel Time: 4:00 hrs
• Notable Stops: Mariposa (Gold Rush Town), El Portal

Driving via 99 S and 140 E will lead you to the Arch Rock Entrance, and it would take around four hours to get there from Sacramento.

This route is perfect for those who want a more scenic trip and don’t mind taking the a little bit of a long way to the park.

Besides the scenic cruise along Highway 140, what makes the Arch Rock Entrance great is its proximity to the town of El Portal.

Here you can find a gas station, a market, a picnic area, and campgrounds. This entrance is open all year round, but you might need tire chains during winter.

This route will also pass by the charming town of Mariposa, which is the most southern of the Gold Rush towns.

If you prefer a less windy road to Yosemite or you want to visit Mariposa Grove before heading into the park, this is the best route to take.

What is the best time to visit Yosemite?

The best time to visit Yosemite is springtime, as the flowers are in full bloom, and the park won’t be too crowded.

Springtime is also the best season to see the waterfalls because it’s when the snowmelt occurs. 

Make sure to arrive at Yosemite early in the morning, especially on weekends, to avoid delays and huge crowds in popular areas.

Remember that the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads often remain closed until late May or June due to snow.

If you’re an avid hiker and don’t mind massive crowds, summer is also a great time to visit as it is the only time you can access Half Dome, the High Sierra Camps, and Olmstead Point.

The good news is that the farther you go out on the trails, the fewer people you will see.

FAQs

How far is Yosemite from Sacramento?

The distance from Sacramento to Yosemite is 141 miles via 99 S and 140 E and would take around three hours and 10 minutes, depending on traffic.

If you’re traveling via 99 S and 140 E, the driving distance is 182 miles and would take around four hours.

Is Sacramento or San Francisco closer to Yosemite?

Sacramento is closer to Yosemite. If you’re driving via I-580 E and 120 E, the distance from San Francisco to Yosemite is 167 miles and would take around three hours and forty minutes, depending on the traffic.

On the other hand, the driving distance from Sacramento to Yosemite via 99 S and 120 E is only 141 miles. 

🚘 Driving from San Francisco? Read our road trip itinerary to Yosemite from SF here.

Wrap-Up: Sacramento to Yosemite: 4 Easy Ways to Travel

Whether you decide to drive, book a tour, or catch a bus or train, traveling from Sacramento to Yosemite is relatively easy as there are multiple options that you can choose from.

For national park lovers, visiting Yosemite should easily be on the top of your bucket list.

Hopefully, this guide will help you decide which mode of transportation to take and make your trip to Yosemite National Park more enjoyable and hassle-free.

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