- Must visit
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian, and contemporary works in a refined downtown setting with strong rotating exhibitions.
Cheapest price on Sep 15
$82
Average ticket price on Sep 15
$85
Fastest journey on Sep 15
9 h 33 m
Average journey duration on Sep 15
9 h 33 m
Trains on Sep 15
2
Distance
445 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Emeryville, 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 Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $85 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $82.
On Tue, Sep 15, we found 2 trains from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA, including 2 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 15 the direct trains cover the 445 km distance in an average of 9 h 33 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 33 m .
On Tue, Sep 15 the slowest trains will take 9 h 33 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.




Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $140 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 17m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $140, while a flight costs an average of $802.
Distance: 276 miles (445 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$140 Average price Cheapest | $802 Average price | $66 Average price (fuel + tolls) | |
10h 3m Average total duration 9h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 17m Average total duration Fastest 4h 17m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 5h 18m Average total duration (door-to-door) | |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A train is $662 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $802.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 9h 33m.
Tickets start at around $140 compared to roughly $66 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-74.75. The journey takes 9h 33m versus 5h 18m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains for today, Monday, September 14. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 3:39 PM Emeryville, CA | 9h33 | 1:12 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:39 PM Emeryville, CA | 9h33 | 2:12 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 6:28 PM Emeryville, CA | 9h47 | 4:15 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 1 times per day, taking around 9h 33m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $62 if you book in advance.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:49, the last at 22:05. The fastest train covers the 276 miles (445 km) distance in 9h 33m.
Distance 276 miles (445 km) |
Average train duration 9h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $62 |
Trains per day 1 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 9h 33m |
First train 6:49 AM |
Last train 10:05 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Sat |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Best time to book 7 days |
Discover the best of Santa Barbara, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Barbara, CA trip today.
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian, and contemporary works in a refined downtown setting with strong rotating exhibitions.
Natural history museum in Mission Canyon with exhibits on wildlife, geology, and Chumash heritage, plus a popular butterfly pavilion seasonally.
Waterfront maritime museum covering Channel history, shipwrecks, navigation, and regional seafaring culture in a polished harbor location.
Lively main street lined with Spanish-style architecture, shops, theaters, and landmarks, making it the heart of downtown walking routes.
Classic beachside promenade ideal for walking and biking, with palm-lined ocean views, parks, and access to the harbor and wharf.
Popular waterfront district with marina views, boat activity, museums, and easy walking access to coastal paths and sunset scenery.
Fresh sea urchin roe landed from the Santa Barbara Channel. Briny, sweet, and prized because the region is one of California's best-known uni sources.
Spot prawns from local waters, often grilled or served simply to highlight their sweetness. Seasonal and celebrated for their freshness on the Central Coast.
Local spiny lobster, usually prepared grilled or roasted. A prized seasonal catch tied to the Santa Barbara Channel fishing tradition.
Refined downtown restaurant serving elegant Central Coast cuisine with strong local seafood and wine in a polished setting.
Long-running fine dining restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients and local catch, with a classic upscale atmosphere.
Historic waterfront oyster bar known for very fresh local seafood, chowder, and a lively harbor setting.
Santa Barbara is pricier than many US beach cities, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking; transit is affordable but limited for tourists.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis and rideshares, and $1-2 at cafes for counter service or drinks.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Emeryville, 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.

Most Emeryville, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains use the Emeryville Station to Santa Barbara Station station pair, with some services arriving at Santa Barbara, University of California. Use this guide to compare Emeryville, CA and Santa Barbara, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Emeryville Station is 1 km from Emeryville city centre. Public transport options include:
Emeryville Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Townhouse Bar & Grill, Honor Kitchen & Cocktails
Ticket office support is available at Emeryville Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Emeryville Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Emeryville Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Emeryville Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Emeryville Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hyatt Place Emeryville/San Francisco Bay Area, Hilton Garden Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge, Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge.
Santa Barbara Station has practical services for this route, including Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Bike Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Lark, Santo Mezcal
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Barbara Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Californian, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara, University of California is 13 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
Santa Barbara, University of California has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower, and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Food court located nearby on campus.
Free Wi-Fi available for passengers. ATMs are aTM located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara, University of California.
Available at Santa Barbara, University of California: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara, University of California: Wheelchair accessible with elevators and ramps.
Goleta Station is 1 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
Goleta Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: The Habit Burger Grill, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Ticket office support is available at Goleta Station. Information desks are located near the platform.
Available at Goleta Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Goleta Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Goleta Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need