- 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
$23
Average price
$23
Fastest journey
3 h 52 m
Average duration
3 h 52 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
160 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $23 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $23.
It's difficult to get from Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA without transferring at least 2 times.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $24. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 58m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $24, and a flight costs an average of $443.
Distance: 99 miles (160 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$24 Average price Cheapest | $35 Average price | $455 Average price | $23 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
2h 30m Average total duration 2h 0m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 3m Average total duration 2h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 58m Average total duration Fastest 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 8m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $11 (€9) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $35 (€28).
A bus is $431 (€353) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $455 (€372).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 2h 0m.
Train takes on average 2h 33m.
You'll arrive about 8m sooner (2h 0m by bus vs 2h 8m by car). Tickets start at around $24 (€20) compared to roughly $23 (€19) in fuel and tolls — a bit more, but you're getting time back, skipping traffic and parking, and you can work or rest on board.
Driving makes more sense if you're travelling as a group (where fuel splits across several people), want flexibility on timing, or plan to stop en route.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Metro Los Angeles | Departure Time 07:48AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 3h52 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator Metro Los Angeles | Departure Time 08:01AM | Arrival Time 11:40AM | Duration 3h39 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $23 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 06:40PM | Arrival Time 08:40PM | Duration 2h00 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $24 |
The table below shows live departures for Norwalk, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:01 AM Norwalk, CA | 3h39 | 11:40 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 2 transfers | |
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 Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 2h 0m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $24 (€20) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 15:30, the last at 21:30. The fastest bus covers the 99 miles (160 km) distance in 2h 0m.
Distance 99 miles (160 km) |
Average bus duration 2h 0m |
Cheapest ticket price $24 (€20) |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 2h 0m |
First bus 3:30 PM |
Last bus 9:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
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 Norwalk, 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 Norwalk, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses use the Los Angeles, Cesar E Chavez / Vignes to Isla Vista, UC Santa Barbara (Bus Loop) station pair. Use this guide to compare Norwalk, 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