The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
8 h 56 m
Average duration
9 h 26 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
448 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA will cost around $41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
Of the 2 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for Berkeley, CA on Sun, Jun 21, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct buses cover the 448 km distance in an average of 9 h 26 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h 56 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest buses will take 9 h 56 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.
6:05 AM8h56Santa Barbara, CA3:01 PMBerkeley, CA$411One-way0 transfers
5:05 AM9h56Santa Barbara, CA3:01 PMBerkeley, CA$421One-way0 transfers
6:05 AM8h56Santa Barbara, CA3:01 PMBerkeley, CA$411One-way0 transfers
5:05 AM9h56Santa Barbara, CA3:01 PMBerkeley, CA$421One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 18m. 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 $41, and a flight costs an average of $143.
Distance: 278 miles (448 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$59 Average price Cheapest | $96 Average price | $308 Average price | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 33m Average total duration 8h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 10m Average total duration 8h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 18m Average total duration Fastest 1h 18m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA:
A bus is $37 (€30) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA costing on average $96 (€78).
A bus is $249 (€204) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA costing on average $308 (€252).
Other travel options to Berkeley, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 3m.
Train takes on average 8h 40m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). 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 {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:05AM | Arrival Time 03:01PM | Duration 9h56 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:05AM | Arrival Time 03:01PM | Duration 8h56 | Departure days Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $41 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:05PM | Arrival Time 03:18AM | Duration 10h13 | Departure days Wed, Thu, Sun | Cheapest price $97 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:05PM | Arrival Time 04:18AM | Duration 10h13 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $95 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:45PM | Arrival Time 03:45AM | Duration 7h00 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $71 |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA buses for today, Friday, June 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 8:45 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 7h00 | 3:45 AM Berkeley, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Saturday, June 20 | |||||
![]() | 5:05 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 9h56 | 3:01 PM Berkeley, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:05 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 8h56 | 3:01 PM Berkeley, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA by train, bus, or flight
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.
Jun 20
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 8h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $41 (€33) if you book in advance.
The earliest bus runs at 06:44, the last at 22:41. The fastest bus covers the 278 miles (448 km) distance in 7h 0m.
Distance 278 miles (448 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€33) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 7h 0m |
First bus 6:44 AM |
Last bus 10:41 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 28 days |
FAQs: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, 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 Berkeley, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA
Most Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA buses use the Isla Vista, UC Santa Barbara (Bus Loop) to Oakland, West Oakland BART Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Berkeley, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Getting to Santa Barbara, Bus station from Santa Barbara city centre
Most popular bus connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Berkeley, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need

