- Must visit
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian and European works, plus rotating exhibitions in a downtown setting.
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$62
Fastest journey
7 h
Average duration
14 h 11 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
445 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $62 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
Of the 4 buses that leave Emeryville, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Tue, Jun 23, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Jun 23 the direct buses cover the 445 km distance in an average of 14 h 11 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 7 h .
On Tue, Jun 23 the slowest buses will take 1 d 7 h 49 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.








Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 23m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $41, and a flight costs an average of $192.
Distance: 276 miles (445 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$64 Average price Cheapest | $88 Average price | $308 Average price | $64 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 54m Average total duration 8h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 4m Average total duration 9h 34m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 23m Average total duration Fastest 1h 23m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $24 (€20) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $88 (€72).
A bus is $245 (€200) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $308 (€252).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 24m.
Train takes on average 9h 34m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:39AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 11h51 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:41AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 31h49 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 08:50PM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 04:50PM | Arrival Time 01:47AM | Duration 8h57 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $61 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 05:45PM | Arrival Time 12:55AM | Duration 7h10 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $119 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:50PM | Arrival Time 02:47AM | Duration 8h57 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $60 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:35PM | Arrival Time 05:30AM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $99 |
The table below shows live departures for Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:50 PM Emeryville, CA | 8h57 | 1:47 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 8h 24m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $41 (€33) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:49, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 276 miles (445 km) distance in 7h 0m.
Distance 276 miles (445 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 24m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€33) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 7h 0m |
First bus 6:49 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 63 days |
Discover the best of Santa Barbara — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Barbara trip today.
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian and European works, plus rotating exhibitions in a downtown setting.
Hands-on science and technology museum popular with families, known for interactive exhibits and a rooftop experience.
Museum on local history with adobe-era collections, archives and exhibits focused on the city and county.
Historic pier with ocean views, strolling, marine exhibits and easy access to the waterfront.
Main downtown corridor lined with shops, historic buildings and public spaces, ideal for walking and people-watching.
Scenic coastal area spanning the harbor and beachfront, popular for walking, biking and sunset views.
Regional Central Coast barbecue, usually tri-tip grilled over red oak and served with salsa, pinquito beans, garlic bread, and salad. It is one of the area’s most iconic local food traditions.
Sea urchin from the Santa Barbara Channel is a local delicacy, prized for its sweet, briny flavor. It often appears in simple pasta dishes that highlight the freshness of the seafood.
Fresh local fish in tacos reflects Santa Barbara’s coastal location and strong California-Mexican food culture. They are commonly served grilled or battered with cabbage, salsa, and lime.
Popular New American restaurant in the Funk Zone, known for seasonal Central Coast ingredients and polished but relaxed dining.
Stylish Spanish restaurant known for tapas, paella, and a lively upscale atmosphere near the waterfront.
Established harbor seafood restaurant popular for clam chowder, oysters, and marina views in a casual setting.
Santa Barbara is pricier than many U.S. cities, especially for hotels and dining near the coast.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 20%+ for excellent service, USD 1-2 per drink at bars, round up or tip 10-15% for taxis, and USD 2-5 for hotel staff as appropriate.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses use the Oakland, West Oakland BART Station to Santa Barbara, Bus station station pair. Use this guide to compare Emeryville, CA and Santa Barbara, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need