The cheapest and fastest buses from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Cheapest price
$45
Average price
$45
Fastest journey
4 h 50 m
Average duration
4 h 50 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
192 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Irvine, 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 Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $45 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $45.
Of the 1 buses that leave Irvine, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Thu, May 07, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, May 07 the direct buses cover the 192 km distance in an average of 4 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 4 h 50 m .
On Thu, May 07 the slowest buses will take 4 h 50 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.
4:45 PM4h50Irvine, CA9:35 PMSanta Barbara, CA$451One-way0 transfers
4:45 PM4h50Irvine, CA9:35 PMSanta Barbara, CA$451One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $43. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 0m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.2kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $43, and a bus costs an average of $38.
Distance: 119 miles (192 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
$51 Average price | $44 Average price Cheapest |
4h 30m Average total duration Fastest 4h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 35m Average total duration 4h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
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 Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A train is $7 (€6) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $51 (€41).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 5m.
Live departures
Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for tomorrow, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:45 PM Irvine, CA | 4h50 | 9:35 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
May 07
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
Why should you book Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare FlixBus with all available travel options, which are bus and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Buses from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 4h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $38 (€31) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 05:49, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 119 miles (192 km) distance in 4h 50m.
Distance 119 miles (192 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $38 (€31) |
Buses per day 4 |
Fastest bus 4h 50m |
First bus 5:49 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CAYou can travel by bus between Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with FlixBus for as low as $38 (€31). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Irvine, 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.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Santa Barbara Mission, a historic Spanish mission known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens
- Stearns Wharf, a popular pier offering shops, restaurants, and scenic ocean views
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a 78-acre garden showcasing California native plants and picturesque landscapes
- Santa Barbara Zoo, a family-friendly attraction featuring diverse animal exhibits and interactive experiences
- Lotusland, a unique botanical garden with exotic plants and themed gardens.
- State Street, a vibrant downtown area filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment options
- Explore the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, featuring a diverse collection of artwork from around the world
- Take a wine tasting tour in the Santa Ynez Valley, known for its beautiful vineyards and excellent wines
- Enjoy a scenic hike in the Santa Ynez Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the coastline and city
- Visit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, which highlights the region's rich maritime history.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Most popular bus connections from Irvine, CA
More options for your journey from Irvine, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
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