The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Cheapest price
$66
Average price
$79
Fastest journey
5 h 25 m
Average duration
7 h 4 m
Buses per day
4
Distance
380 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, 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 Jose, CA will cost around $79 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $66.
Of the 4 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for San Jose, CA on Fri, Jan 16, 4 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Jan 16 the direct buses cover the 380 km distance in an average of 7 h 4 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 25 m .
On Fri, Jan 16 the slowest buses will take 8 h 10 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.








Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €33. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 6h 17m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.3kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €33, and a flight costs an average of €68.
Distance: 236 miles (380 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
€56 Average price Cheapest | €106 Average price | €686 Average price |
6h 47m Average total duration Fastest 6h 17m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 52m Average total duration 7h 22m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 33m Average total duration 7h 33m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* |
0.4 - 0.9kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 1.1 - 2.3kg CO2 emissions |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 07:35AM | Arrival Time 02:57PM | Duration 7h22 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $89 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 09:58AM | Arrival Time 04:50PM | Duration 6h52 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $118 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 09:55PM | Duration 9h55 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $97 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 02:45PM | Arrival Time 05:25AM | Duration 14h40 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $192 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 06:24AM | Duration 8h19 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $89 |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA bus times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA buses for today, Thursday, January 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus+![]() | 10:45 PM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 14h40 | 1:25 PM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 1 transfer | |
| Friday, January 16 | |||||
4785 AMTRAK · 524 Capitol Corridor | 6:05 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 8h19 | 2:24 PM Santa Clara Station, Santa Clara, CA | 1 transfer | |
![]() | 2:35 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 7h25 | 10:00 PM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 2:45 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 7h15 | 10:00 PM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 5:00 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 8h10 | 1:10 AM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, 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.
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 21
Jan 22
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 6h 17m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $41 (€33) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:45. The fastest bus covers the 236 miles (380 km) distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 236 miles (380 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 17m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€33) |
Buses per day 3 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 00:40 |
Last bus 23:45 |
Key Takeaways
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA start from as low as $41 (€33) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $69 (€56) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 3 daily trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 5h 15m but the average duration is 6h 17m
Train Operators
- Travel from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA with FlixBus
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is FlixBus.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Santa Barbara, Bus station and arrive in San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station)
- First train typically departs at 12:40 AM and the last at 11:45 PM
Bus providers: FlixBus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA with FlixBus for as low as $41 (€33). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
FAQs: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, 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 Jose, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Winchester Mystery House, an architectural curiosity with a maze-like design and historical significance
- The Tech Interactive, an engaging science and technology center with hands-on exhibits
- San Jose Museum of Art, a contemporary art museum featuring works from the 20th and 21st centuries
- Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, a museum dedicated to ancient Egyptian artifacts and culture
- Municipal Rose Garden, a beautiful and serene garden featuring over 3,500 rose bushes.
- Explore the Japanese Friendship Garden, a tranquil space inspired by Japanese landscape design
- Visit the Children's Discovery Museum, offering interactive exhibits for families and children
- Enjoy a performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, hosting a variety of shows and events
- Discover the history of Silicon Valley at the Computer History Museum
- Take a scenic hike in Alum Rock Park, offering trails and natural beauty.
- 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.
To find the cheapest bus tickets for your trip from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, 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).
- 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 San Jose, CA
Most popular bus connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
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