- Must visit
Bowers Museum
Major Orange County museum campus with art exhibitions, family programs, and rotating contemporary and historical shows.
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Santa Ana, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $51 For those with little time, consider booking a bus, which has an average total journey time of 4h 34m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.2kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $51, while a bus costs an average of $58.
Distance: 114 miles (185 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
$58 Average price | $51 Average price Cheapest |
4h 34m Average total duration Fastest 4h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 8m Average total duration 4h 38m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.2 - 0.5kg CO2 emissions | 0.1 - 0.2kg CO2 emissions Lowest |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Santa Ana, CA:
A train is $7 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Santa Ana, CA costing on average $58.
Other travel options to Santa Ana, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 4h 38m.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 10:00PM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Wed | Cheapest price $43 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 08:55PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 8h05 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $78 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Thu | Cheapest price $58 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 10:45PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 7h15 | Departure days Mon, Tue, Thu | Cheapest price $43 |
Compare train and bus 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.
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Santa Ana, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 4h 4m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $42 but you can travel from only $42 by train.
The earliest bus runs at 06:00, the last at 23:30. The fastest bus covers the 114 miles (185 km) distance in 4h 0m.
Distance 114 miles (185 km) |
Average bus duration 4h 4m |
Cheapest ticket price $42 |
Buses per day 1 |
Fastest bus 4h 0m |
First bus 6:00 AM |
Last bus 11:30 PM |
Cheapest Month Oct |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 14 days |
Discover the best of Santa Ana, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Ana, CA trip today.
Major Orange County museum campus with art exhibitions, family programs, and rotating contemporary and historical shows.
Hands-on science museum with interactive exhibits, a Discovery Cube, and family-friendly learning in downtown Santa Ana.
Small local museum preserving Orange County aviation and aerospace history with artifacts, photos, and volunteer-led interpretation.
Walkable downtown district with historic buildings, murals, shops, galleries, and regular arts and community events.
Lively pedestrian-friendly arts corridor known for galleries, murals, boutiques, and monthly art-focused street activity.
Historic neighborhood of preserved early 20th-century homes, ideal for architecture walks and seasonal house tours.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Santa Barbara, CA to Santa Ana, CA buses use the Santa Barbara, Bus station to Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Santa Ana, CA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Santa Barbara, Bus station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Free public Wi-Fi available. ATMs are located inside the station building.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara, Bus station.
Available at Santa Barbara, Bus station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara, Bus station: Wheelchair accessible routes available.
Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) is 1 km from Santa Ana city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station) has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station). ATMs are available at Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station).
Ticket office support is available at Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station).
Available at Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station): Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Ana, E Santa Ana Blvd (Train Station): Bus access is available.
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