The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Cheapest price
$83
Average price
$114
Fastest journey
6 h 52 m
Average duration
8 h 48 m
Buses per day
5
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 $114 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $83.
Of the 5 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for San Jose, CA on Fri, Apr 17, 5 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, Apr 17 the direct buses cover the 380 km distance in an average of 8 h 48 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 6 h 52 m .
On Fri, Apr 17 the slowest buses will take 10 h 40 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 PM8h57Santa Barbara, CA3:02 AMSan Jose, CA$831One-way0 transfers
3:35 PM7h25Santa Barbara, CA11:00 PMSan Jose, CA$851One-way0 transfers
8:00 PM10h05Santa Barbara, CA6:05 AMSan Jose, CA$921One-way0 transfers
5:58 PM6h52Santa Barbara, CA12:50 AMSan Jose, CA$1141One-way0 transfers
2:45 AM10h40Santa Barbara, CA1:25 PMSan Jose, CA$1981One-way0 transfers
5:58 PM6h52Santa Barbara, CA12:50 AMSan Jose, CA$1141One-way0 transfers
3:35 PM7h25Santa Barbara, CA11:00 PMSan Jose, CA$851One-way0 transfers
6:05 PM8h57Santa Barbara, CA3:02 AMSan Jose, CA$831One-way0 transfers
8:00 PM10h05Santa Barbara, CA6:05 AMSan Jose, CA$921One-way0 transfers
2:45 AM10h40Santa Barbara, CA1:25 PMSan Jose, CA$1981One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus, train, 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 $51. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 6h 12m. 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 $51, and a flight costs an average of $163.
Distance: 236 miles (380 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight |
|---|---|---|
$97 Average price Cheapest | $155 Average price | $490 Average price |
6h 42m Average total duration Fastest 6h 12m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 54m Average total duration 7h 24m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 12h 11m Average total duration 9h 11m 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.
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, April 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 5:58 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 8h12 | 2:10 AM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 7:55 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 8h15 | 4:10 AM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 9:40 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h25 | 3:05 AM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 10:45 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 14h40 | 1:25 PM San Jose, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Friday, April 17 | |||||
![]() | 2:45 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 10h40 | 1:25 PM 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 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.
Apr 17
Apr 18
Apr 19
Apr 20
Apr 21
Apr 22
Apr 23
Why should you book Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, 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 San Jose, 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 San Jose, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA run on average 4 times per day, taking around 6h 12m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $51 (€40) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 00:40, the last at 23:50. The fastest bus covers the 236 miles (380 km) distance in 5h 15m.
Distance 236 miles (380 km) |
Average bus duration 6h 12m |
Cheapest ticket price $51 (€40) |
Buses per day 4 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 5h 15m |
First bus 12:40 AM |
Last bus 11:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Fri |
Best time to book 3 days |
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 $51 (€40). 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.
- 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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