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Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €27. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €27, and a bus costs an average of €6.
Distance: 55 miles (90 km)
Compare bus with
| Bus | Most popular Train |
|---|---|
€48 Average price | €27 Average price Cheapest |
1h 50m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 29m Average total duration 1h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
 Most popular bus company |  Most popular train company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Compare prices and tickets Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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.
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Why should you book Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA buses with Omio?
FlixBus as well as Clean Air Express or Santa Maria Area Transit offer buses services from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Omio is an official ticket reseller for all your travel options from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Why book with Omio vs FlixBus?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for FlixBus, but also compare tickets for the likes of Clean Air Express or Santa Maria Area Transit to find the best option for your trip from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
- 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 and train to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Why book with Omio over Wanderu?
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including bus and train to find the ideal travel option from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
USAUSA
Buses from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 1h 20m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $8 (€6) if you book in advance.
There are 1 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 06:39, the last at 17:25. The fastest bus covers the 55 miles (90 km) distance in 1h 31m.
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Distance 55 miles (90 km) |
Average bus duration 1h 20m |
Cheapest ticket price $8 (€6) |
Buses per day 1 |
Direct buses 1 |
Fastest bus 1h 31m |
First bus 06:39 |
Last bus 17:25 |
Fares are the lowest economy prices found on Omio. Early booking often means lower prices. Prices change daily and are subject to availability. Discount cards, coach trips, and booking fees are not included.
Price information
Bus providers: FlixBus, Santa Maria Area Transit, Clean Air Express from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CAYou can travel by bus between Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with FlixBus, Santa Maria Area Transit, Clean Air Express for as low as $8 (€6). When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
About
FlixBus is one of Europe’s leading low-cost bus companies, founded in Germany and now offering long-distance services across Europe and the United States. In addition to its extensive daytime network, FlixBus also operates overnight buses on select European routes. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, power outlets to charge devices, extra legroom, luggage space, and onboard toilets, with snacks and drinks available for purchase. FlixBus offers a single Standard ticket type for all routes, which includes one carry-on bag and one checked bag per passenger. Additional fees apply for extra luggage and for reserving specific seats, such as Extra Seats, Table Seats, or Panorama Seats. This combination of affordability, comfort, and wide coverage makes FlixBus a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 15m
Cheapest Price
$25 (€19)
FlixBus frequency
1 a day
Luggage included
One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Additional luggage
Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Cancellation Policy
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.
Amenities on board the bus
Wifi
Food sold onboard
Seat reservation
Toilets
USB plugs
Accessibility
Assistance; Priority boarding; Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Bikes
Bikes are allowed for a fee; must be booked.
Pets
Small pets in carriers allowed; guide dogs travel for free.
Santa Maria Area Transit
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 40m
Cheapest Price
$83 (€65)
Santa Maria Area Transit frequency
4 a day
Clean Air Express
Luggage & cancellation policy
Average Duration
1h 31m
Cheapest Price
$8 (€6)
Clean Air Express frequency
2 a day
FAQs: Bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, 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 Barbara, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.
Cheap bus tickets from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA can start from as little as $8 (€6) when you book in advance. The average bus ticket price for Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is $61 (€48) ; however, prices vary depending on the time of day and class and they tend to be more expensive on the day.
The average journey time by bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is 1h 31m to travel the 55 miles (90 km) long journey. Journey times can vary on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner to search for a specific date.
The earliest bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA leaves at 6:39 AM. Plan your trip with the Journey Planner from Omio.
The latest bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA leaves at 5:25 PM.
Yes, there are 1 direct buses a day from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with FlixBus, Clean Air Express. Schedules can vary on holidays or weekends with fewer direct buses.
When taking a bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA, you can count on FlixBus, Santa Maria Area Transit, Clean Air Express for the best way to get you to Santa Barbara, CA. You can also check all possible bus companies who offer a service between Santa Maria, CA and Santa Barbara, CA and compare the amenities they offer before buying a bus ticket.
A day trip to Santa Barbara, CA from Santa Maria, CA is worth doing with a journey time of 1h 31m each way. Check with Omio app the best way to travel.
It's helpful to compare your options as there are 2 ways to travel between Santa Maria, CA and Santa Barbara, CA including taking a bus and train.
Yes, the following accessibility options are available when taking the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
Yes, there are bathrooms on board the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA for bus company FlixBus.
Some of the most interesting sights to explore in Santa Barbara, CA are:
- Santa Barbara Mission, a historic Spanish mission known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens
- Stearns Wharf, a popular pier offering shops, restaurants, and scenic ocean views
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, a 78-acre garden showcasing California native plants and picturesque landscapes
- Santa Barbara Zoo, a family-friendly attraction featuring diverse animal exhibits and interactive experiences
- Lotusland, a unique botanical garden with exotic plants and themed gardens.
The best things to do in Santa Barbara, CA include:
- State Street, a vibrant downtown area filled with shopping, dining, and entertainment options
- Explore the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, featuring a diverse collection of artwork from around the world
- Take a wine tasting tour in the Santa Ynez Valley, known for its beautiful vineyards and excellent wines
- Enjoy a scenic hike in the Santa Ynez Mountains, offering breathtaking views of the coastline and city
- Visit the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, which highlights the region's rich maritime history.
Whether you can cancel your bus ticket from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA depends on the bus companies:
- 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.
Yes, bikes are allowed on board the bus with bus company FlixBus.
Tickets are often cheaper when booked early. Traveling during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help you save money. Sort results by price to quickly identify the most affordable options. Check for promotions or discounts available on our website and app.
Yes, there is food available to purchase on board the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
Yes, the following luggage options are included when booking a bus ticket from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
Yes, the following additional luggage options are available when booking a bus ticket from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
Yes, you can bring your pet on the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA. The following conditions apply:
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
You can reserve your seat on the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus
Yes, there are USB plugs on board the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus.
Yes, there is Wifi on board the bus from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with the following bus company: FlixBus.
popular bus stations
Popular bus stations from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Maria
Santa Barbara
The major bus station for departures in Santa Maria is Santa Maria, Nicholson Avenue / Cypress Street. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Santa Maria, Nicholson Avenue / Cypress Street for your trip from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara.
Santa Maria, Nicholson Avenue / Cypress Street
information
The major bus station for arrivals in Santa Barbara is Santa Barbara, Bus station. Find all the information you need to know about services, amenities and connections at Santa Barbara, Bus station for your trip to Santa Barbara from Santa Maria.
Santa Barbara, Bus station
information
Most popular bus connections from Santa Maria, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
Most popular buses to and from Santa Barbara, CA and Santa Maria, CA
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