San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA bus with FlixBus

Wed, Feb 04
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The cheapest and fastest buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

Showing times and prices for Feb 05

Cheapest price

$30

Average price

$30

Fastest journey

1 h 45 m

Average duration

1 h 45 m

Buses per day

1

Distance

130 km

Cheap tickets

The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, 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 San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $30 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $30.

Fast buses

Of the 1 buses that leave San Luis Obispo, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Thu, Feb 05, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.

On Thu, Feb 05 the direct buses cover the 130 km distance in an average of 1 h 45 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 1 h 45 m .

On Thu, Feb 05 the slowest buses will take 1 h 45 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.

FlixBusFlixBus
12:55PM1h45
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA
02:40PMSanta Barbara, Bus station
$301One-way
0 transfers

Travel Information

Compare train and bus for San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €16. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 25m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €16, and a train costs an average of €25.

Distance: 80 miles (130 km)

Compare bus with

Bus
Most popular
Train

€24

Average price

Cheapest

€31

Average price

2h 55m

Average total duration

Fastest

2h 25m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

3h 2m

Average total duration

2h 32m

Onboard

+

30m

Additional time*

FlixBus

Most popular bus company

Amtrak

Most popular train company

Direct Options

Direct Options

San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA Bus Timetables

OperatorDeparture TimeArrival TimeDurationDeparture daysCheapest price
Operator
FlixBus
Departure Time
12:55PM
Arrival Time
02:40PM
Duration
1h45
Departure days
Mon, Wed, Thu
Cheapest price
$30

Live departures

San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA bus times

The table below shows live departures for San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses for today, Wednesday, February 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.

Last updated at 6:59 PM
ProviderDepartsDurationArrivesTransfers
Tickets
meinfernbus_flixbusFlixBus8:55 PM San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum), CA
1h45
10:40 PM Santa Barbara, Bus station0 transfersDirect

This is the last bus of the day.

Find all the dates and times for this journey

Compare prices and tickets San Luis Obispo, 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.

Thu
Feb 05
Fri
Feb 06
Sat
Feb 07
Sun
Feb 08
Mon
Feb 09
Tue
Feb 10
Wed
Feb 11

Why should you book San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses with Omio?

FlixBus operates all buses services from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.

Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?

  • Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of to find the best option for your trip from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
  • 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 San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.

Why book with Omio over Wanderu?

  • Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.

Journey information

Overview: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

USAUSA
USAUSA
Icon of bus

Buses from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 2h 25m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $20 (€16) if you book in advance.

There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:39, the last at 22:05. The fastest bus covers the 80 miles (130 km) distance in 1h 45m.

Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance
80 miles (130 km)
Average bus duration
2h 25m
Cheapest ticket price
$20 (€16)
Buses per day
2
Direct buses
2
Fastest bus
1h 45m
First bus
06:39
Last bus
22:05
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information

Bus providers: FlixBus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CAYou can travel by bus between San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with FlixBus for as low as $20 (€16). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey

FlixBus

About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 45m
Cheapest Price
$18 (€14)
FlixBus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.

FAQs: Bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from San Luis Obispo, 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.

FAQs
Cheap bus tickets from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA can start from as little as $20 (€16) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is $30 (€24) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is 1h 45m to travel the 80 miles (130 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA leaves at 6:39 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA leaves at 10:05 PM.
Yes, there are 2 direct buses a day from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with FlixBus. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
When taking a bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA, you can count on FlixBus for the best way to get you to Santa Barbara, CA. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between San Luis Obispo, CA and Santa Barbara, CA and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A day trip to Santa Barbara, CA from San Luis Obispo, CA is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 45m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
The cheapest month for a bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is July.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between San Luis Obispo, CA and Santa Barbara, CA including taking a train and bus.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
  • FlixBus
    • Assistance
    • Priority boarding
    • Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA for bus company FlixBus.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in Santa Barbara, CA are:
  • 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.
The best things to do in Santa Barbara, CA include:
  • 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.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA depends on the bus companies:
  • 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
  • FlixBus
    • One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
  • FlixBus
    • Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA. The following conditions apply:
  • FlixBus
    • Small pets in carriers allowed
    • guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus.

popular bus stations

Popular bus stations from San Luis Obispo, CA to Santa Barbara, CA

San Luis Obispo
Santa Barbara
The major bus station for departures in San Luis Obispo is San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum). Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum) for your trip from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara.
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara Ave / High St (San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum)
information

Most popular buses to and from Santa Barbara, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA

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