The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Cheapest price
$35
Average price
$35
Fastest journey
3 h 11 m
Average duration
3 h 11 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
140 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA will cost around $35 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $35.
Of the 1 trains that leave Santa Barbara, CA for Los Angeles, CA on Mon, Dec 01, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Mon, Dec 01 the direct trains cover the 140 km distance in an average of 3 h 11 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 3 h 11 m .
On Mon, Dec 01 the slowest trains will take 3 h 11 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 Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €13. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 19m. In case you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint the train is your best bet as it emits only 0.0 - 0.1kg. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €13, and a train costs an average of €26.
Distance: 86 miles (140 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€28 Average price | €24 Average price Cheapest |
3h 29m Average total duration 2h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 49m Average total duration Fastest 2h 19m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
0.0 - 0.1kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.1 - 0.3kg 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
Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA trains for today, Sunday, November 30. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
770 Pacific Surfliner | 2:39 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h07 | 5:46 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
770 Pacific Surfliner | 2:53 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h53 | 5:46 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 4:31 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h12 | 7:43 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 4:49 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h54 | 7:43 PM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 8:21 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 9h31 | 5:52 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 1 transfer | |
784 Pacific Surfliner | 9:31 PM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h17 | 12:48 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
784 Pacific Surfliner | 9:45 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 3h03 | 12:48 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Monday, December 1 | |||||
790 Pacific Surfliner | 12:18 AM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h26 | 3:44 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 12:33 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 3h11 | 3:44 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
11 Coast Starlight | 2:19 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h52 | 5:11 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 2:38 AM Goleta Station, Goleta, CA | 3h14 | 5:52 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 2:57 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 2h55 | 5:52 AM Union Station, Los Angeles, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, 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.
Dec 01
Dec 02
Dec 03
Dec 04
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Why should you book Santa Barbara to Los Angeles trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. 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 Santa Barbara to Los Angeles.
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 Santa Barbara to Los Angeles.
How far in advance should I book train tickets from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA?
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA run on average 11 times per day, taking around 2h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $32 (€26) but you can travel from only $17 (€13) by bus.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 05:35, the last at 19:59. The fastest train covers the 86 miles (140 km) distance in 3h 11m.
Distance 86 miles (140 km) |
Average train duration 2h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price $32 (€26) |
Trains per day 11 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 3h 11m |
First train 05:35 |
Last train 19:59 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara, CA and Los Angeles, CA from $17 (€13). With over 1000 travel companies on Omio, you can find the best train times and tickets for your trip.
Amtrak
FAQs: Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, 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
- 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
- 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday - Friday
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Saturday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- Located near the main entrance
- Free
- The station is a single-level facility with platforms for Metrolink and Amtrak services.
- Bus: Several lines available
- Metrolink: Ventura County Line
- 4:30 AM - 1:00 AM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- The car park is open 24/7. Access via Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue.
- Traxx Restaurant
- Union Station Cafe
- Philippe The Original
- Outside the main entrance.
- Elevators, restrooms.
- $1
- DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
- Miyako Hotel Los Angeles
- Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
- Cost $10
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Avis
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: Main entrance, platforms for Amtrak and Metrolink
- Hall 2: Metro Rail connections
- Hall 3: Bus terminal
- Metro: Red Line, Purple Line, Gold Line
- Bus: Several lines available including DASH and Metro Bus
- 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Parking is available at the station.
- Outside the main entrance.
- $0.50
- Located in the main hall
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Bus: Several lines available
- Metro: Orange Line
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Los Angeles, CA
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