The cheapest and fastest trains from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Cheapest price
$43
Average price
$43
Fastest journey
4 h 46 m
Average duration
4 h 46 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
218 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around $43 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $43.
Of the 1 trains that leave Riverside, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Tue, Mar 17, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Mar 17 the direct trains cover the 218 km distance in an average of 4 h 46 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 46 m .
On Tue, Mar 17 the slowest trains will take 4 h 46 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 bus, train, and flight for Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $43. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 32m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $43, and a flight costs an average of $166.
Distance: 135 miles (218 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus |
|---|---|---|
$43 Average price Cheapest | $308 Average price | $90 Average price |
5h 2m Average total duration Fastest 4h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 4m Average total duration 6h 4m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 11h 34m Average total duration 11h 4m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains for today, Monday, March 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4985 AMTRAK · 785 Pacific Surfliner | 10:35 PM Riverside Station, Riverside, CA | 6h21 | 4:56 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 1 transfer | |
4985 AMTRAK · 785 Pacific Surfliner | 10:35 PM Riverside Station, Riverside, CA | 6h37 | 5:12 AM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 1 transfer | |
| Tuesday, March 17 | |||||
![]() | 5:00 PM Riverside, CA | 4h46 | 9:46 PM 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 Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by bus, train, or flight
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.
Mar 17
Mar 18
Mar 19
Mar 20
Mar 21
Mar 22
Mar 23
Journey information
Overview: Train from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Trains from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 3 times per day, taking around 4h 32m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $43 (€35) if you book in advance.
The earliest train runs at 06:00, the last at 15:25. The fastest train covers the 135 miles (218 km) distance in 4h 46m.
Distance 135 miles (218 km) |
Average train duration 4h 32m |
Cheapest ticket price $43 (€35) |
Trains per day 3 |
Fastest train 4h 46m |
First train 06:00 |
Last train 15:25 |
Cheapest month Jul |
Cheapest day Sat |
High season Jul - Sep |
Low season Jan - Mar |
Best day to book ahead 28 days |
Train companies: Amtrak, Metrolink Trains from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trainsAmtrak, Metrolink Trains trains will get you between Riverside, CA and Santa Barbara, CA from $43 (€35). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
Metrolink Trains
FAQs: Trains from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Riverside, 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 Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available 7 days a week with multiple entry and exit points.
- Mission Inn Restaurant
- The Salted Pig
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $0.50
- Hyatt Place Riverside/Downtown
- The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
- Marriott Riverside at the Convention Center
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Platform 1: Metrolink services
- Platform 2: Amtrak services
- Bus: Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) routes available
- Metrolink: 91/Perris Valley Line, Inland Empire-Orange County Line, Riverside Line
- 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 Riverside, CA
More options for your journey from Riverside, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
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