The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA
Cheapest price
€41
Average price
€55
Fastest journey
5 h 37 m
Average duration
5 h 51 m
Trains per day
9
Distance
296 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, 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 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA will cost around €55 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €41.
Of the 9 trains that leave Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA for Old Town Station, San Diego, CA on Thu, Aug 06, 6 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Thu, Aug 06 the direct trains cover the 296 km distance in an average of 5 h 51 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 37 m .
On Thu, Aug 06 the slowest trains will take 6 h 3 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.
794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM5h50Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:50 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
786 Pacific Surfliner3:04 PM5h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA8:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM6h03Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA2:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
770 Pacific Surfliner6:53 AM5h59Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
782 Pacific Surfliner12:45 PM6h07Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA6:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
6297 AMTRAK · 782 Pacific Surfliner1:15 PM5h37Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA6:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€631One-way1 transfer
786 Pacific Surfliner3:04 PM5h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA8:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
794 Pacific Surfliner7:00 PM5h50Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:50 AMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
770 Pacific Surfliner6:53 AM5h59Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA12:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
774 Pacific Surfliner8:49 AM6h03Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA2:52 PMOld Town Station, San Diego, CA€411One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the train with prices starting from €39. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 4h 15m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a train costs an average of €39, and a flight costs an average of €101.
Distance: 183 miles (296 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€40 Average price Cheapest | €77 Average price | €224 Average price | €41 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 36m Average total duration 6h 6m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 45m Average total duration 7h 15m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 7h 15m Average total duration Fastest 4h 15m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 6m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA:
A train is €37 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA costing on average €77.
A train is €184 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA costing on average €224.
Other travel options to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 6m.
Bus takes on average 7h 15m.
Tickets start at around €40 compared to roughly €41 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about €1. The journey takes 6h 6m versus 4h 6m 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.
Direct services run with Amtrak.
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 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA trains for today, Wednesday, August 5. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
774 Pacific Surfliner | 8:49 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h03 | 2:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
14 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 12:15 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 12h35 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
782 Pacific Surfliner | 12:45 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h07 | 6:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
786 Pacific Surfliner | 3:04 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h48 | 8:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
790 Pacific Surfliner | 4:40 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h11 | 10:51 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
11 Coast Starlight · 794 Pacific Surfliner | 6:19 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 6h31 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 1 transfer | |
794 Pacific Surfliner | 7:00 PM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h50 | 12:50 AM Old Town Station, San Diego, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Thursday, August 6 | |||||
770 Pacific Surfliner | 6:53 AM Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA | 5h59 | 12:52 PM Old Town Station, San Diego, 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 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA by train, bus, or flight
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.
Aug 06
Aug 07
Aug 08
Aug 09
Aug 10
Aug 11
Aug 12
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 6h 6m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €39 but you can travel from only €35 by bus.
There are 4 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 02:57, the last at 14:53. The fastest train covers the 183 miles (296 km) distance in 5h 53m.
Distance 183 miles (296 km) |
Average train duration 6h 6m |
Cheapest ticket price €39 |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 4 |
Fastest train 5h 53m |
First train 2:57 AM |
Last train 2:53 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Sat |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and Old Town Station, San Diego, CA from €35. 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 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, 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 Old Town Station, San Diego, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA
Most Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA to Old Town Station, San Diego, CA trains use the Santa Barbara Station to Santa Fe Depot station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA and Old Town Station, San Diego, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Getting to Santa Barbara Station from Santa Barbara city centre
Santa Barbara Station train station facilities and services
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 and drink
Food options include: The Lark, Santo Mezcal
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Santa Barbara Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hotel Californian, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.
Getting to Old Town Station from San Diego city centre
Old Town Station is 5 km from San Diego city centre. Public transport options include:
Old Town Station train station facilities and services
Old Town Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Car Rental, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town Mexican Cafe
Wi-Fi and ATMs
Free. ATMs are available in the train station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Old Town Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Luggage storage is available at Old Town Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Old Town Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Old Town Station: Bike Parking, Car Rental.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Old Town Station: Elevators, ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Old Town Inn, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott San Diego Old Town, Best Western Plus Hacienda Hotel Old Town.
