Travel Information
Compare bus, train, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA
Omio recommends booking the flight as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $28. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 1h 3m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $28, and a flight costs an average of $528.
Distance: 98 miles (158 km)
Compare train with
| Train | Most popular Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$33 Average price | $528 Average price | $28 Average price Cheapest | $23 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 5m Average total duration 2h 35m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 3m Average total duration Fastest 1h 3m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 4h 19m Average total duration 3h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 1m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA:
A bus is $4 (€4) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA costing on average $33 (€27).
A bus is $500 (€409) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA costing on average $528 (€432).
Other travel options to El Monte, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 2h 35m.
Bus takes on average 3h 49m.
Tickets start at around $33 (€27) compared to roughly $23 (€19) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-9.31 (€-7.62). The journey takes 2h 35m versus 2h 1m 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, CA to El Monte, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA trains for today, Sunday, June 21. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:53 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 2h35 | 4:28 PM El Monte, 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 El Monte, 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.
Jun 22
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Jun 28
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA run on average 13 times per day, taking around 2h 35m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $33 (€27) but you can travel from only $28 (€23) by bus.
There are 11 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:53, the last at 19:26. The fastest train covers the 98 miles (158 km) distance in 2h 35m.
Distance 98 miles (158 km) |
Average train duration 2h 35m |
Cheapest ticket price $33 (€27) |
Trains per day 13 |
Direct trains 11 |
Fastest train 2h 35m |
First train 6:53 AM |
Last train 7:26 PM |
Cheapest Month Apr |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Apr - Jun |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
FAQs: Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, 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 El Monte, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, 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
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to El Monte, CA
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