- Must visit
Seattle Art Museum
Major art museum with global collections, strong Native and modern holdings, and rotating blockbuster exhibitions downtown.
Cheapest price
$232
Average price
$232
Fastest journey
2 d 1 h 30 m
Average duration
2 d 5 h 8 m
Buses per day
3
Distance
1482 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA will cost around $232 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $232.
It's difficult to get from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA without transferring at least 3 times.
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Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $158. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 6h 7m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $158, and a flight costs an average of $139.
Distance: 920 miles (1482 km)
| Bus | Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$222 Average price Cheapest | $306 Average price | $351 Average price | $233 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
34h 59m Average total duration 34h 29m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 31h 37m Average total duration 31h 7m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 7m Average total duration Fastest 6h 7m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 17h 5m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA:
A bus is $84 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA costing on average $306.
A bus is $129 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA costing on average $351.
Other travel options to Seattle, WA take longer:
Train takes on average 31h 7m.
Bus takes on average 34h 29m.
You'll arrive about {timeSavings} sooner ({durationInMinutes} by bus vs {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car) and save roughly {savingsAmount} compared to fuel and tolls ({cheapestPrice} vs {drivingPriceInCents}). You also skip the drive itself — no traffic stress, no parking, and you can use the time to work, nap, or catch up on a series with the onboard Wi-Fi.
Direct coaches are operated by {directProviders}.
Driving is still worth considering if you're travelling with bulky luggage, need flexibility on departure times, or plan to stop along the way.
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 11:15AM | Arrival Time 12:45PM | Duration 49h30 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Sun | Cheapest price $232 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:45PM | Arrival Time 06:45PM | Duration 53h00 | Departure days Fri, Sat | Cheapest price $230 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:50PM | Arrival Time 05:00AM | Duration 39h10 | Departure days Thu | Cheapest price $142 |
Operator Greyhound | Departure Time 01:55PM | Arrival Time 03:50AM | Duration 37h55 | Departure days Mon | Cheapest price $139 |
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA buses for today, Tuesday, August 4. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus+![]() | 11:15 AM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 55h30 | 6:45 PM Seattle, Northeast Campus Parkway / 12th Avenue NE (University of Washington), WA | 4 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus+![]() | 11:15 AM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 54h25 | 5:40 PM Seattle, SeaTac Airport Terminal - Bay 2 | 4 transfers | |
FlixBus · FlixBus · FlixBus+![]() | 11:15 AM Santa Barbara, Bus station | 49h30 | 12:45 PM Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station) | 3 transfers | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Buses from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 34h 29m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $158 but you can travel from only $139 by flight.
The earliest bus runs at 09:55, the last at 23:10. The fastest bus covers the 920 miles (1482 km) distance in 34h 5m.
Distance 920 miles (1482 km) |
Average bus duration 34h 29m |
Cheapest ticket price $158 |
Buses per day 2 |
Fastest bus 34h 5m |
First bus 9:55 AM |
Last bus 11:10 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Best time to book 5 days |
Discover the best of Seattle, WA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Seattle, WA trip today.
Major art museum with global collections, strong Native and modern holdings, and rotating blockbuster exhibitions downtown.
Immersive pop-culture museum with music, science fiction, gaming, and film exhibits in a Frank Gehry building.
Leading aviation museum featuring historic aircraft, spacecraft, and hands-on exhibits near Boeing Field.
Vast urban park with forests, beaches, bluffs, and trails, plus some of Seattle’s finest Puget Sound views.
Lively waterfront district with ferries, the Great Wheel, promenades, and classic Elliott Bay scenery.
Beloved hilltop park offering postcard views of downtown, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier, especially at sunset.
Cedar plank salmon is Pacific Northwest salmon roasted on cedar, adding smoky wood aroma. It reflects Seattle's strong salmon culture and regional cooking style.
Seattle-style teriyaki is grilled meat with sweet-savory sauce, usually over rice and salad. It became a defining everyday local meal across the city.
Geoduck is a large Pacific Northwest clam, often served raw or lightly cooked. It is prized locally for its sweet taste and connection to regional seafood.
Historic Pike Place Market spot famed for clam chowder, seafood sandwiches, and casual counter service with a lively market atmosphere.
Long-running market restaurant known for Dungeness crab cakes, seafood entrées, and views over Pike Place with a classic local feel.
Acclaimed fine dining destination focused on seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, refined tasting menus, and elegant service near Pike Place.
Seattle is pricier than many US cities, with higher hotel, dining, and parking costs. Transit is reasonable, but central stays and waterfront meals raise typical visitor budgets.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, more for excellent service. Taxis usually 10-15%. Cafes often have tip jars or screens; small tips are appreciated.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Santa Barbara, CA to Seattle, WA buses use the Santa Barbara, Bus station to Seattle, S Royal Brougham Way / 6th Avenue South (Bus Station) station pair, with some services arriving at Seattle, SeaTac Airport Terminal - Bay 2. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Seattle, WA bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need