The cheapest and fastest buses from Santa Barbara, CA to San Jose, CA
Cheapest price
$75
Average price
$87
Fastest journey
5 h 15 m
Average duration
7 h 5 m
Buses per day
7
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 $87 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $75.
Of the 7 buses that leave Santa Barbara, CA for San Jose, CA on Tue, Mar 03, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Mar 03 the direct buses cover the 380 km distance in an average of 7 h 5 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 5 h 15 m .
On Tue, Mar 03 the slowest buses will take 8 h 19 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.
FlixBus
4785 AMTRAK · 524 Capitol Corridor
6238 AMTRAK · 538 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 544 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 550 Capitol Corridor
FlixBus
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK
6238 AMTRAK · 538 Capitol Corridor
4761 AMTRAK · 544 Capitol Corridor
4785 AMTRAK · 524 Capitol CorridorTravel 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 $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 | $154 Average price | $489 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.
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 Tue | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:05AM | Arrival Time 05:32PM | Duration 7h27 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $84 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 11:45AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 5h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Wed | Cheapest price $59 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 11:47AM | Arrival Time 06:50PM | Duration 7h03 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $111 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 12:00PM | Arrival Time 10:05PM | Duration 10h05 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $91 |
Operator Amtrak | Departure Time 10:05PM | Arrival Time 06:24AM | Duration 8h19 | Departure days Tue | Cheapest price $84 |
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, Monday, March 2. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 7:45 PM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 5h15 | 1:00 AM San José, Cahill Street (Diridon Station) | 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 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.
Mar 03
Mar 04
Mar 05
Mar 06
Mar 07
Mar 08
Mar 09
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 train, bus 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 train, bus 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 00:40 |
Last bus 23:50 |
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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