The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA
Cheapest price
$32
Average price
$32
Fastest journey
13 h 31 m
Average duration
13 h 31 m
Buses per day
1
Distance
218 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA will cost around $32 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $32.
It's difficult to get from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA without transferring at least 2 times.


Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $42. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 33m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $42, and a flight costs an average of $165.
Distance: 135 miles (218 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$89 Average price | $44 Average price Cheapest | $300 Average price |
16h 36m Average total duration 16h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 3m Average total duration Fastest 4h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 38m Average total duration 4h 38m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA buses for tomorrow, Monday, March 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:45 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 13h31 | 4:16 AM Riverside, CA | 2 transfers | |
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 Riverside, 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.
Mar 17
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Mar 19
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Mar 23
Why should you book Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, 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, bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train, bus and flight to find the ideal travel option from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 16h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $89 (€73) but you can travel from only $42 (€34) by train.
The earliest bus runs at 04:05, the last at 18:45. The fastest bus covers the 135 miles (218 km) distance in 14h 33m.
Distance 135 miles (218 km) |
Average bus duration 16h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price $89 (€73) |
Buses per day 6 |
Fastest bus 14h 33m |
First bus 04:05 |
Last bus 18:45 |
High season Oct - Dec |
Low season Jan - Mar |
Best day to book ahead 1 day |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA with FlixBus for as low as $42 (€34). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- 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 Riverside, CA
Most popular bus connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Riverside, CA
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