- Must visit
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian, and contemporary works in a refined downtown setting with strong rotating exhibitions.
Cheapest price
$24
Average price
$24
Fastest journey
14 h 25 m
Average duration
14 h 25 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
189 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Montclair, 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 Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $24 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $24.
It's difficult to get from Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA without transferring at least once.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $43. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 57m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $43, and a flight costs an average of $420.
Distance: 117 miles (189 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$43 Average price Cheapest | $60 Average price | $420 Average price |
7h 50m Average total duration 7h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 21m Average total duration 4h 51m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 57m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $16 (€14) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $60 (€49).
A bus is $377 (€310) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $420 (€345).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 51m.
Bus takes on average 7h 20m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 12:20PM | Arrival Time 07:40PM | Duration 7h20 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator Flixbus USA | Departure Time 09:15PM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 14h25 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $24 |
The table below shows live departures for Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for today, Saturday, July 18. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 9:15 PM Montclair, CA | 14h25 | 11:40 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 1 transfer | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus, train, 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 Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 7h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $43 (€35) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 18:45, the last at 18:45. The fastest bus covers the 117 miles (189 km) distance in 7h 20m.
Distance 117 miles (189 km) |
Average bus duration 7h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $43 (€35) |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 7h 20m |
First bus 6:45 PM |
Last bus 6:45 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
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 contemporary works in a refined downtown setting with strong rotating exhibitions.
Natural history museum in Mission Canyon with exhibits on wildlife, geology, and Chumash heritage, plus a popular butterfly pavilion seasonally.
Waterfront maritime museum covering Channel history, shipwrecks, navigation, and regional seafaring culture in a polished harbor location.
Lively main street lined with Spanish-style architecture, shops, theaters, and landmarks, making it the heart of downtown walking routes.
Classic beachside promenade ideal for walking and biking, with palm-lined ocean views, parks, and access to the harbor and wharf.
Popular waterfront district with marina views, boat activity, museums, and easy walking access to coastal paths and sunset scenery.
Fresh sea urchin roe landed from the Santa Barbara Channel. Briny, sweet, and prized because the region is one of California's best-known uni sources.
Spot prawns from local waters, often grilled or served simply to highlight their sweetness. Seasonal and celebrated for their freshness on the Central Coast.
Local spiny lobster, usually prepared grilled or roasted. A prized seasonal catch tied to the Santa Barbara Channel fishing tradition.
Refined downtown restaurant serving elegant Central Coast cuisine with strong local seafood and wine in a polished setting.
Long-running fine dining restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients and local catch, with a classic upscale atmosphere.
Historic waterfront oyster bar known for very fresh local seafood, chowder, and a lively harbor setting.
Santa Barbara is pricier than many US beach cities, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking; transit is affordable but limited for tourists.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis and rideshares, and $1-2 at cafes for counter service or drinks.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Montclair, 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 Montclair, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses use the Montclair, Richton Street (Montclair Transcenter Paking) to Santa Barbara, Bus station station pair. Use this guide to compare Montclair, 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