- 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
$37
Average price
$37
Fastest journey
2 h 5 m
Average duration
2 h 17 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
115 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Grover Beach, 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 Grover Beach, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $37 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $37.
Of the 3 buses that leave Grover Beach, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Sat, Jun 20, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Jun 20 the direct buses cover the 115 km distance in an average of 2 h 17 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 5 m .
On Sat, Jun 20 the slowest buses will take 2 h 30 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 Grover Beach, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $35. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 2h 11m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $35, and a bus costs an average of $37.
Distance: 71 miles (115 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$37 Average price | $36 Average price Cheapest | $17 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 47m Average total duration 2h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 41m Average total duration Fastest 2h 11m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions | 0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Grover Beach, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A train is $0.90 (€0.74) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Grover Beach, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $37 (€30).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 17m.
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 04:25AM | Arrival Time 06:30AM | Duration 2h05 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:55AM | Arrival Time 01:25PM | Duration 2h30 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $37 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:05PM | Arrival Time 04:20PM | Duration 2h15 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $37 |
The table below shows live departures for Grover Beach, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for tomorrow, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:25 AM Grover Beach, CA | 2h05 | 6:30 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:55 AM Grover Beach, CA | 2h30 | 1:25 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:05 PM Grover Beach, CA | 2h15 | 4:20 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train and bus 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 Grover Beach, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 2h 17m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $37 (€30) but you can travel from only $35 (€28) by train.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:39, the last at 13:40. The fastest bus covers the 71 miles (115 km) distance in 2h 5m.
Distance 71 miles (115 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $37 (€30) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 2h 5m |
First bus 6:39 AM |
Last bus 1:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jun |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 1 day |
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 Grover Beach, 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.

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