The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA
Cheapest price
$95
Average price
$105
Fastest journey
5 h 48 m
Average duration
5 h 49 m
Trains per day
2
Distance
307 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, 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 Salinas, CA will cost around $105 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $95.
Of the 2 trains that leave Santa Barbara, CA for Salinas, CA on Sun, Jun 21, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 21 the direct trains cover the 307 km distance in an average of 5 h 49 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 48 m .
On Sun, Jun 21 the slowest trains will take 5 h 49 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.
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK11:47 AM5h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA5:35 PMSalinas Station, Salinas, CA$951One-way1 transfer
14 Coast Starlight12:21 PM5h49Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA6:10 PMSalinas Station, Salinas, CA$1151One-way0 transfers
765 Pacific Surfliner · 4765 AMTRAK11:47 AM5h48Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA5:35 PMSalinas Station, Salinas, CA$951One-way1 transfer
14 Coast Starlight12:21 PM5h49Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA6:10 PMSalinas Station, Salinas, CA$1151One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $54. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 4h 53m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $54, and a flight costs an average of $261.
Distance: 190 miles (307 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$126 Average price | $89 Average price Cheapest | $378 Average price | $44 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 19m Average total duration 5h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 23m Average total duration Fastest 4h 53m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 10h 51m Average total duration 7h 51m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 3h 24m 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 Salinas, CA:
A bus is $37 (€30) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA costing on average $126 (€103).
A bus is $289 (€237) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA costing on average $378 (€309).
Other travel options to Salinas, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 5h 49m.
Flight takes on average 7h 51m.
Tickets start at around $126 (€103) compared to roughly $44 (€36) in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-81.34 (€-66.57). The journey takes 5h 49m versus 3h 24m 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 Salinas, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA trains for today, Saturday, June 20. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:21 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h49 | 1:10 AM Salinas, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:21 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h49 | 2:10 AM Salinas, 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 Salinas, 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.
Jun 21
Jun 22
Jun 23
Jun 24
Jun 25
Jun 26
Jun 27
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 5h 49m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $66 (€54) but you can travel from only $54 (€44) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:39, the last at 12:50. The fastest train covers the 190 miles (307 km) distance in 5h 48m.
Distance 190 miles (307 km) |
Average train duration 5h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price $66 (€54) |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 5h 48m |
First train 6:39 AM |
Last train 12:50 PM |
Cheapest Month Nov |
Cheapest Day Sat |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Sun |
Least Busy Day Sun |
Best time to book 14 days |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara, CA and Salinas, CA from $54 (€44). 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 Salinas, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, 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 Salinas, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA
Most Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA trains use the Santa Barbara Station to Salinas Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Salinas, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like train station facilities and services.
Which Santa Barbara, CA station do trains to Salinas, CA leave from?
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 Goleta Station from Santa Barbara city centre
Goleta Station is 1 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
Goleta Station train station facilities and services
Goleta Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food options include: The Habit Burger Grill, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Goleta Station. Information desks are located near the platform.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Goleta Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Bike and car services
Available at Goleta Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Goleta Station: Ramps.
Shops, hotels and contact
Nearby hotels include Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta.
Which Salinas, CA station do trains from Santa Barbara, CA arrive at?
Getting to Salinas Station from Salinas city centre
Salinas Station train station facilities and services
Salinas Station has practical services for this route, including Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food and drink
Food and drink options are available at Salinas Station.
Tickets and information
Ticket office support is available at Salinas Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage and lost property
Lost and found is available at the station.
Parking, taxis and toilets
Available at Salinas Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility
Accessibility facilities are available at Salinas Station: Ramps, restrooms.
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to Salinas, CA
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need
