4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA
Cheapest price
$70
Average price
$156
Fastest journey
11 h 17 m
Average duration
14 h 31 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
490 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA will cost around $156 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $70.
Of the 2 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for Sacramento, CA on Fri, May 08, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 08 the direct buses cover the 490 km distance in an average of 14 h 31 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 11 h 17 m .
On Fri, May 08 the slowest buses will take 17 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.
6:05 AM11h17Santa Barbara, CA5:22 PMSacramento, CA$701One-way0 transfers
10:45 PM17h45Santa Barbara, CA4:30 PMSacramento, CA$2411One-way0 transfers
- 6:05 AM11h17Santa Barbara, CA5:22 PMSacramento, CA$701One-way0 transfers
- 10:45 PM17h45Santa Barbara, CA4:30 PMSacramento, CA$2411One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $69. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 5h 1m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $69, and a flight costs an average of $161.
Distance: 304 miles (490 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$102 Average price Cheapest | $118 Average price | $356 Average price | $79 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
10h 3m Average total duration 9h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 11h 48m Average total duration 11h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 1m Average total duration Fastest 5h 1m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 54m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA:
A bus is $15 (€12) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $118 (€94).
A bus is $254 (€202) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA costing on average $356 (€284).
Other travel options to Sacramento, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 33m.
Train takes on average 11h 18m.
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.
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA buses for today, Wednesday, May 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:45 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 17h45 | 4:30 PM Sacramento, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, May 7 | |||||
| 6:05 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 11h17 | 5:22 PM Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA by bus, train, or flight
Compare bus, train, 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.
May 07
May 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
Why should you book Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, 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 bus, train and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu or Trainline?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus, train and flight to find the ideal travel option from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA
USAUSA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA run on average 9 times per day, taking around 9h 33m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $69 (€55) 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 9h 50m.
Distance 304 miles (490 km) |
Average bus duration 9h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $69 (€55) |
Buses per day 9 |
Fastest bus 9h 50m |
First bus 5:10 AM |
Last bus 10:20 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 4 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA with FlixBus for as low as $69 (€55). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, 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 Sacramento, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- California State Capitol Museum, a historic building housing the state government and offering tours of its legislative chambers and exhibits
- Crocker Art Museum, featuring a diverse collection of art from California and around the world, including European, Asian, and contemporary works
- Old Sacramento State Historic Park, a preserved district with Gold Rush-era buildings, museums, and shops along the Sacramento River
- Sacramento Zoo, home to over 500 animals from around the globe, focusing on conservation and education
- American River Parkway, a scenic 23-mile parkway offering trails for biking, hiking, and wildlife viewing along the American River.
- Old Sacramento Waterfront, a preserved historic district with shops, restaurants, and museums reflecting the Gold Rush era
- American River Bike Trail, a scenic 32-mile path perfect for cycling, walking, and enjoying nature
- Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, a reconstructed 19th-century fort offering insights into California's early pioneer history
- Midtown Farmers Market, a vibrant market showcasing local produce, crafts, and food vendors every Saturday
- Tower Bridge, an iconic vertical lift bridge offering picturesque views of the Sacramento River and city skyline.
- 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 Sacramento, CA
Most popular bus connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Sacramento, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Sacramento, CA and Santa Barbara, CA
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