The cheapest and fastest trains from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Cheapest price
$85
Average price
$90
Fastest journey
9 h 3 m
Average duration
9 h 29 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
441 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $90 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $85.
Of the 2 trains that leave Oakland, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Wed, Jan 28, 2 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Wed, Jan 28 the direct trains cover the 441 km distance in an average of 9 h 29 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 9 h 3 m .
On Wed, Jan 28 the slowest trains will take 9 h 54 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.




Travel Information
Compare train and bus for Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €38. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 9h 8m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.1 - 0.4kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €38, and a train costs an average of €50.
Distance: 274 miles (441 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€68 Average price | €42 Average price Cheapest |
10h 3m Average total duration 9h 33m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 38m Average total duration Fastest 9h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Live departures
Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains for today, Tuesday, January 27. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:09 PM Oakland, CA | 9h03 | 1:12 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 4:36 PM Oakland, CA | 9h54 | 2:30 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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train or bus
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.
Jan 28
Jan 29
Jan 30
Jan 31
Feb 01
Feb 02
Feb 03
Why should you book Oakland to Santa Barbara trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Oakland to Santa Barbara. Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets.
Why book with Omio vs Amtrak?
- 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 Amtrak with all available travel options, which are train and bus to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Oakland to Santa Barbara.
Why book with Omio over Trainline and Rail Europe?
- Official reseller: Amtrak tickets can only be bought on Omio or Amtrak's website as Omio is the only official third party seller for Amtrak tickets. Trainline, RailEurope, and Rail.Ninja do not sell Amtrak tickets as they are not official sellers.
- Multiple modes of transport: Omio allows you to compare travel options including train and bus to find the ideal travel option from Oakland to Santa Barbara.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Train Ticket Prices
- Budget Options: Train tickets from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA start from as low as $63 (€50) if booked well in advance.
- Standard Fares: Typically, trains cost $86 (€68) depending on the train type and class.
Journey Duration & Frequency
- On average there are 5 daily trains from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with 1 direct service.
- The fastest trains can take as little as 9h 3m but the average duration is 9h 33m
Train Operators
- Travel from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA with Amtrak
- The most booked train company for this route on Omio is Amtrak.
Stations & Schedule
- Most trains depart from Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA
- First train typically departs at 07:00 AM and the last at 10:05 PM
Distance 274 miles (441 km) |
Average train duration 9h 33m |
Cheapest ticket price $63 (€50) |
Trains per day 5 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 9h 3m |
First train 07:00 |
Last train 22:05 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Oakland, CA and Santa Barbara, CA from $48 (€38). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Oakland, 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 Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available nearby, with several public parking lots in the vicinity.
- Yoshi's Oakland
- Scott's Seafood Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- Waterfront Hotel
- Z Hotel Jack London Square
- Executive Inn & Suites
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Amtrak services
- Bus: AC Transit lines 12, 72, 72M
- Ferry: San Francisco Bay Ferry
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available adjacent to the station, with spaces for both short-term and long-term parking.
- The Habit Burger Grill
- Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps.
- Free for passengers
- Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta
- Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta
- Located near the platform
- Free
- The station consists of a single platform with a waiting area and parking facilities nearby.
- Bus: Santa Barbara MTD Line 6, Line 11
Most popular train connections from Oakland, CA
More options for your journey from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
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