The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA
Cheapest price
$44
Average price
$59
Fastest journey
4 h 11 m
Average duration
4 h 19 m
Trains per day
9
Distance
199 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, 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 Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA will cost around $59 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $44.
Of the 9 trains that leave Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA for Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA on Fri, May 08, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Fri, May 08 the direct trains cover the 199 km distance in an average of 4 h 19 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 4 h 11 m .
On Fri, May 08 the slowest trains will take 4 h 31 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.
790 Pacific Surfliner4:40 PM4h31Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA9:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM4h11Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA11:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM4h22Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA1:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner2:57 PM4h14Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA7:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
782 Pacific Surfliner12:40 PM4h31Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA5:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM4h11Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA11:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner2:57 PM4h14Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA7:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
770 Pacific Surfliner6:53 AM4h18Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA11:11 AMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM4h22Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA1:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
790 Pacific Surfliner4:40 PM4h31Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA9:11 PMIrvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA$441One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and train for Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from $40. For those with little time consider booking a train which can get you there in 4h 23m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $40, and a bus costs an average of $38.
Distance: 123 miles (199 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$44 Average price Cheapest | $47 Average price | $28 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
4h 53m Average total duration Fastest 4h 23m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 32m Average total duration 7h 2m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 53m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA:
A train is $3 (€3) less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA costing on average $47 (€38).
Other travel options to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 7h 2m.
Tickets start at around $44 (€35) compared to roughly $28 (€23) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-15.53 (€-12.41). The journey takes 4h 23m versus 2h 53m 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
Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA trains for today, Thursday, May 7. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h18 | 11:11 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h22 | 1:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:21 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 10h50 | 11:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1 transfer | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:40 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h31 | 5:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 2:57 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h14 | 7:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 4:40 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h31 | 9:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
11 Coast Starlight · 5818 AMTRAK | 6:19 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 9h41 | 4:00 AM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1 transfer | |
11 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 6:19 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h52 | 11:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA | 1 transfer | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 7:00 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 4h11 | 11:11 PM Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, 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 Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA by bus or train
Compare bus and train 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 08
May 09
May 10
May 11
May 12
May 13
May 14
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA run on average 8 times per day, taking around 4h 23m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $40 (€32) but you can travel from only $38 (€30) by bus.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:19, the last at 16:49. The fastest train covers the 123 miles (199 km) distance in 4h 18m.
Distance 123 miles (199 km) |
Average train duration 4h 23m |
Cheapest ticket price $40 (€32) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 4h 18m |
First train 2:19 AM |
Last train 4:49 PM |
Cheapest Month May |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA from $38 (€30). 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 Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, 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 Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Irvine Transportation Center, Irvine, 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
- Free
- Parking is available 7 days a week with multiple lots around the station.
- Del Frisco's Grille
- The Cheesecake Factory
- Outside the main entrance.
- Ramps, restrooms.
- $1
- Marriott Irvine Spectrum
- Courtyard by Marriott Irvine Spectrum
- DoubleTree by Hilton Irvine Spectrum
- Located in the main hall
- 54 places, covered
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- Hall 1: main entrance, ticket office, and waiting area
- Hall 2: platforms for Metrolink and Amtrak
- Bus: Several lines available
- Shuttle: Local shuttle services
