- 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 on Sep 20
lei1048
Average ticket price on Sep 20
lei1048
Fastest journey on Sep 20
1 d 12 h 40 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
1 d 12 h 40 m
Buses on Sep 20
1
Distance
1260 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Portland, OR 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 Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around lei1048 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only lei1048.
It's difficult to get from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA without transferring at least 2 times.


Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of lei883 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 7h 2m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of lei883, while a flight costs an average of lei2528.
Distance: 782 miles (1260 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
lei883 Average price Cheapest | lei1116 Average price | lei2528 Average price | lei887 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
38h 35m Average total duration 38h 5m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 28h 20m Average total duration 27h 50m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 2m Average total duration Fastest 5h 2m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 14h 7m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is lei233 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average lei1116.
A bus is lei1645 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average lei2528.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 27h 50m.
Bus takes on average 38h 5m.
Tickets start at around lei883 compared to roughly lei887 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about lei4. The journey takes 38h 5m versus 14h 7m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound USA | Departure Time 02:00AM | Arrival Time 07:30PM | Duration 41h30 | Departure days Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price lei1048 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 03:00AM | Arrival Time 12:55AM | Duration 45h55 | Departure days Thu, Sat | Cheapest price lei899 |
The table below shows live departures for Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA buses for tomorrow, Sunday, September 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:00 AM Portland, OR | 36h40 | 2:40 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 2 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, 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 Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 38h 5m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at lei644 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 02:00, the last at 19:50. The fastest bus covers the 782 miles (1260 km) distance in 38h 5m.
Distance 782 miles (1260 km) |
Average bus duration 38h 5m |
Cheapest ticket price lei644 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 38h 5m |
First bus 2:00 AM |
Last bus 7:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Best time to book 42 days |
Discover the best of Santa Barbara, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Barbara, CA 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 Portland, OR 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 Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA buses use the Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage) to Isla Vista, UC Santa Barbara (Bus Loop) station pair. Use this guide to compare Portland, OR and Santa Barbara, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage). ATMs are available at Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage).
Ticket office support is available at Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage).
Available at Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Portland, NW Station Way (Station Place Parking Garage): Ramp access available.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need