4.9
4.6The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA
Cheapest price
$62
Average price
$115
Fastest journey
6 h 25 m
Average duration
9 h 28 m
Buses per day
2
Distance
446 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA will cost around $115 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $62.
Of the 2 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for San Francisco, CA on Sat, Nov 08, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Nov 08 the direct buses cover the 446 km distance in an average of 9 h 28 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 25 m .
On Sat, Nov 08 the slowest buses will take 12 h 30 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+
FlixBusFlixBus+
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €34. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 9m. 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 €34, and a flight costs an average of €100.
Distance: 277 miles (446 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€53 Average price Cheapest | €67 Average price | €244 Average price |
8h 36m Average total duration 8h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 0m Average total duration 9h 30m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 9m Average total duration Fastest 1h 9m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.3 - 2.7kg CO2 emissions |
Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |  Most popular airline |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 8h35 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $100 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:50AM | Arrival Time 04:10PM | Duration 8h20 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $100 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:58AM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 8h27 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:11AM | Arrival Time 06:25PM | Duration 8h14 | Departure days Fri | Cheapest price $69 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:40PM | Arrival Time 08:05PM | Duration 6h25 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $62 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 06:45PM | Arrival Time 07:15AM | Duration 12h30 | Departure days Sat | Cheapest price $169 |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA buses for today, Friday, November 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6238 AMTRAK · 538 Capitol Corridor | 3:35 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 8h35 | 12:10 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 1 transfer | |
| 6238 AMTRAK · 538 Capitol Corridor | 3:50 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 8h20 | 12:10 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 1 transfer | |
| 761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK · 546 Capitol Corridor | 5:58 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 9h22 | 3:20 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 2 transfers | |
| 761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK | 5:58 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 8h27 | 2:25 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 1 transfer | |
| 761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK | 6:11 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 8h14 | 2:25 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, CA | 1 transfer | |
| 761 Pacific Surfliner · 4761 AMTRAK · 546 Capitol Corridor | 6:11 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 9h09 | 3:20 AM Emeryville station, Emeryville, 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 San Francisco, 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.
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Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA
USAUSA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 8h 6m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $42 (€34) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:00, the last at 23:25. The fastest bus covers the 277 miles (446 km) distance in 6h 20m.
Distance 277 miles (446 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 (€34) |
Buses per day 6 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 6h 20m |
First bus 06:00 |
Last bus 23:25 |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA with FlixBus, Greyhound for as low as $42 (€34). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound
FAQs: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Golden Gate Bridge, an iconic suspension bridge offering panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay
- Alcatraz Island, a historic site featuring the infamous former prison and informative audio tours
- Fisherman's Wharf, a bustling waterfront area known for seafood, shops, and sea lions
- Golden Gate Park, a large urban park with gardens, museums, and recreational activities
- Chinatown, the oldest and one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, offering vibrant culture and cuisine.
- Ride a cable car through the steep streets of San Francisco for a classic city experience
- Explore the vibrant murals and street art in the Mission District
- Visit the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum perfect for all ages
- Take a scenic walk along the Embarcadero, offering views of the Bay Bridge and access to the Ferry Building Marketplace
- Enjoy a wine tasting tour in nearby Napa Valley, a short drive from the city.
- 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.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA, follow these tips:
Start your search now and compare ticket prices to find the best deal!
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- Guide dogs travel for free.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA
Most popular bus connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to San Francisco, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from San Francisco, CA and Santa Barbara, CA
Most popular bus connections to San Francisco, CA
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