4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Cheapest price
$50
Average price
$77
Fastest journey
6 h 50 m
Average duration
8 h 9 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
441 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA will cost around $77 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $50.
Of the 3 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for Oakland, CA on Mon, Jun 01, 3 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Jun 01 the direct buses cover the 441 km distance in an average of 8 h 9 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 50 m .
On Mon, Jun 01 the slowest buses will take 8 h 48 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.
7:47 PM8h48Santa Barbara, CA4:35 AMOakland, CA$501One-way0 transfers- 6:47 PM8h48Santa Barbara, CA3:35 AMOakland, CA$511One-way0 transfers
7:45 PM6h50Santa Barbara, CA2:35 AMOakland, CA$1281One-way0 transfers
- 7:45 PM6h50Santa Barbara, CA2:35 AMOakland, CA$1281One-way0 transfers
- 7:47 PM8h48Santa Barbara, CA4:35 AMOakland, CA$501One-way0 transfers
- 6:47 PM8h48Santa Barbara, CA3:35 AMOakland, CA$511One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $49. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 8h 20m. 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 $49, and a train costs an average of $61.
Distance: 274 miles (441 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$54 Average price Cheapest | $84 Average price | $65 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 50m Average total duration Fastest 8h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 22m Average total duration 8h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 57m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | - CO2 emissions |
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 Oakland, CA:
A bus is $30 (€24) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA costing on average $84 (€68).
Other travel options to Oakland, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 8h 52m.
Tickets start at around $54 (€44) compared to roughly $65 (€52) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $11 (€9). The journey takes 8h 20m versus 4h 57m 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.
Direct services are operated by FlixBus.
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.
Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 06:20PM | Duration 7h05 | Departure days Sun | Cheapest price $130 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 05:58PM | Arrival Time 02:35AM | Duration 8h37 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 06:47PM | Arrival Time 03:35AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri | Cheapest price $51 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 07:45PM | Arrival Time 02:35AM | Duration 6h50 | Departure days Mon, Wed | Cheapest price $88 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:47PM | Arrival Time 04:35AM | Duration 8h48 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $49 |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA buses for today, Sunday, May 31. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FlixBus | 11:15 AM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 7h05 | 6:20 PM Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, 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 Oakland, 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.
Jun 01
Jun 02
Jun 03
Jun 04
Jun 05
Jun 06
Jun 07
Why should you book Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
USAUSA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA run on average 5 times per day, taking around 8h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $49 (€40) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:00, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 274 miles (441 km) distance in 6h 50m.
Distance 274 miles (441 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $49 (€40) |
Buses per day 5 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 6h 50m |
First bus 6:00 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Fri |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Fri |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 1 day |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA with FlixBus for as low as $49 (€40). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Lake Merritt, a large tidal lagoon offering scenic walking paths and boating activities
- Oakland Museum of California, a museum dedicated to the art, history, and natural sciences of California
- Jack London Square, a waterfront area with dining, shopping, and entertainment options
- Redwood Regional Park, a vast park with hiking trails through towering redwood trees
- Chabot Space and Science Center, an interactive museum with planetarium shows and telescopes for stargazing.
- Visit the vibrant Temescal Alley, known for its unique shops and eateries
- Explore the historic USS Potomac, Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Floating White House"
- Enjoy a performance at the Fox Theater, a beautifully restored 1920s movie palace
- Discover the diverse flavors at the Oakland First Fridays street festival
- Take a scenic bike ride along the Bay Trail, offering stunning views of the San Francisco Bay.
- 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Most popular bus connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Oakland, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Oakland, CA and Santa Barbara, CA
Most popular bus connections to Oakland, CA
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