4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Cheapest price
$50
Average price
$66
Fastest journey
8 h 9 m
Average duration
8 h 50 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
441 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $66 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $50.
Of the 3 buses that leave Oakland, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Fri, May 08, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 08 the direct buses cover the 441 km distance in an average of 8 h 50 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 9 m .
On Fri, May 08 the slowest buses will take 9 h 12 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.
5:35 PM9h12Oakland, CA2:47 AMSanta Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers- 5:45 PM9h09Oakland, CA2:54 AMSanta Barbara, CA$521One-way0 transfers
- 9:46 PM8h09Oakland, CA5:55 AMSanta Barbara, CA$961One-way0 transfers
- 9:46 PM8h09Oakland, CA5:55 AMSanta Barbara, CA$961One-way0 transfers
- 5:45 PM9h09Oakland, CA2:54 AMSanta Barbara, CA$521One-way0 transfers
- 5:35 PM9h12Oakland, CA2:47 AMSanta Barbara, CA$501One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $45. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 9h 1m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $45, and a train costs an average of $63.
Distance: 274 miles (441 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$66 Average price Cheapest | $96 Average price | $66 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 38m Average total duration 9h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 31m Average total duration Fastest 9h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
 Most popular bus company | Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $30 (€24) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $96 (€77).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 8m.
You'll arrive about -5h -10m sooner (9h 8m by bus vs 4h 58m by car) and save roughly $-0.08 (€-0.06) compared to fuel and tolls ($66 (€53) vs $66 (€53)). 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 FlixBus.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Live departures
Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for today, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:40 PM Oakland, CA | 7h00 | 10:40 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 5:35 PM Oakland, CA | 9h12 | 2:47 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| 5:45 PM Oakland, CA | 9h09 | 2:54 AM 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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train or bus
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.
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
Why should you book Oakland, 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 train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Oakland, 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 train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
USAUSA
Buses from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 9h 8m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $45 (€36) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:39, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 274 miles (441 km) distance in 7h 0m.
Distance 274 miles (441 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $45 (€36) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 7h 0m |
First bus 6:39 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Sep |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CAYou can travel by bus between Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with FlixBus for as low as $45 (€36). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Most popular bus connections from Oakland, CA
More options for your journey from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Santa Barbara, CA and Oakland, CA
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