- 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.
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $77 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $66.
On Sat, Nov 07, we found 3 buses from Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA, including 3 direct services.
On Sat, Nov 07 the direct buses cover the 490 km distance in an average of 12 h 58 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 59 m .
On Sat, Nov 07 the slowest buses will take 13 h 27 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.

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Buses from Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 10h 51m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $64 if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 05:10, the last at 22:20. The fastest bus covers the 304 miles (490 km) distance in 10h 5m.
Plan this route
Use these quick route answers to check fares, travel time, departure options, and direct services before booking from Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 12:03AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 13h27 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $68 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:03AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 13h27 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 02:03AM | Arrival Time 01:30PM | Duration 11h27 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 03:03AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 11h27 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $66 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 04:55AM | Arrival Time 06:10PM | Duration 13h15 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $133 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:03AM | Arrival Time 02:30PM | Duration 33h27 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $67 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 01:48PM | Arrival Time 01:47AM | Duration 11h59 | Departure days Tue, Fri, Sun | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:30PM | Arrival Time 03:15AM | Duration 9h45 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $90 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:53PM | Arrival Time 04:55AM | Duration 10h02 | Departure days Mon, Fri | Cheapest price $119 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 11:10AM | Duration 14h05 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $82 |
The table below shows live departures for Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for today, Saturday, October 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 12:03 AM Sacramento, CA | 13h27 | 1:30 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:03 AM Sacramento, CA | 13h27 | 2:30 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, October 31 | |||||
+ FlixBus | 10:05 PM Sacramento, Bus Terminal | 14h05 | 11:10 AM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 1 transfer | |
| Sunday, November 1 | |||||
![]() | 1:48 PM Sacramento, CA | 11h59 | 1:47 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Buses from Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with Greyhound. Overnight buses available on this route with Greyhound. Use the details below to compare onboard facilities.
Review the details behind your booking, from operators and ticket rules to luggage, onboard amenities, accessibility, and route-specific travel policies.
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.
Get destination-focused answers for the end of your trip, including what to do, when to go, practical entry details, and tips for making the most of your time in Santa Barbara, CA.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses use the Sacramento, Bus Terminal to Santa Barbara, Bus station station pair. Use this guide to compare Sacramento, CA and Santa Barbara, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Sacramento, Bus Terminal is 1 km from Sacramento city centre. Public transport options include:
Sacramento, Bus Terminal has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Fast food and coffee shop available
Free with registration. ATMs are multiple ATMs near ticket office.
Ticket office support is available at Sacramento, Bus Terminal.
Available at Sacramento, Bus Terminal: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Sacramento, Bus Terminal: Wheelchair ramps and elevators available.
Santa Barbara, Bus station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are located inside the station building.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara, Bus station.
Available at Santa Barbara, Bus station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara, Bus station: Wheelchair accessible routes available.
Check bus stations information for Sacramento, CA and Santa Barbara, CA, including where buses depart and arrive on this route.