The cheapest and fastest trains from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Cheapest price
$41
Average price
$41
Fastest journey
3 h 52 m
Average duration
3 h 52 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
185 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $41 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $41.
Of the 1 trains that leave Costa Mesa, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Wed, May 27, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, May 27 the direct trains cover the 185 km distance in an average of 3 h 52 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 52 m .
On Wed, May 27 the slowest trains will take 3 h 52 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.
2:04 AM3h52Costa Mesa, CA5:56 AMSanta Barbara, CA$411One-way0 transfers
2:04 AM3h52Costa Mesa, CA5:56 AMSanta Barbara, CA$411One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train and flight for Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $41. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 57m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $41, and a flight costs an average of $448.
Distance: 114 miles (185 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$41 Average price Cheapest | $448 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 22m Average total duration 3h 52m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 57m Average total duration Fastest 57m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 2h 23m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A train is $407 (€328) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $448 (€361).
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 3h 52m.
Tickets start at around $41 (€33) compared to roughly $28 (€23) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-12.60 (€-10.16). The journey takes 3h 52m versus 2h 23m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
Live departures
Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, May 26. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 2:04 AM Costa Mesa, CA | 3h52 | 5:56 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train or flight
Compare 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.
May 26
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 30
May 31
Jun 01
Journey information
Overview: Train from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Trains from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 15 times per day, taking around 3h 52m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $41 (€33) if you book in advance.
There are 11 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:49, the last at 18:57. The fastest train covers the 114 miles (185 km) distance in 3h 52m.
Distance 114 miles (185 km) |
Average train duration 3h 52m |
Cheapest ticket price $41 (€33) |
Trains per day 15 |
Direct trains 11 |
Fastest train 3h 52m |
First train 5:49 AM |
Last train 6:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Tue |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Jan - Mar |
Best time to book 35 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Costa Mesa, CA and Santa Barbara, CA from $41 (€33). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train. 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 train, 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.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- The Lark
- Santo Mezcal
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- Hotel Californian
- Harbor View Inn
- Hotel Milo Santa Barbara
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a main hall with ticketing and waiting areas.
- Bus: Several lines available
- Trolley: Downtown Waterfront Shuttle
Most popular train connections from Costa Mesa, CA
More options for your journey from Costa Mesa, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
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