The cheapest and fastest trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Cheapest price
$39
Average price
$39
Fastest journey
2 h 41 m
Average duration
2 h 41 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
130 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 San Luis Obispo, CA will cost around $39 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $39.
Of the 1 trains that leave Santa Barbara, CA for San Luis Obispo, CA on Tue, Dec 16, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Tue, Dec 16 the direct trains cover the 130 km distance in an average of 2 h 41 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 2 h 41 m .
On Tue, Dec 16 the slowest trains will take 2 h 41 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 San Luis Obispo, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €18. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 2h 18m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €18, and a train costs an average of €23.
Distance: 80 miles (130 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€31 Average price | €24 Average price Cheapest |
3h 13m Average total duration 2h 43m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 48m Average total duration Fastest 2h 18m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
Live departures
Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA train times
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA trains for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 16. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 4:58 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 2h41 | 7:39 PM San Luis Obispo, 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 San Luis Obispo, 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 16
Dec 17
Dec 18
Dec 19
Dec 20
Dec 21
Dec 22
Why should you book Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo trains with Omio?
Amtrak operates all train services from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. 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 San Luis Obispo.
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 San Luis Obispo.
Journey information
Overview: Train from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA run on average 6 times per day, taking around 2h 43m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $29 (€23) but you can travel from only $23 (€18) by bus.
There are 5 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:11, the last at 19:16. The fastest train covers the 80 miles (130 km) distance in 2h 28m.
Distance 80 miles (130 km) |
Average train duration 2h 43m |
Cheapest ticket price $29 (€23) |
Trains per day 6 |
Direct trains 5 |
Fastest train 2h 28m |
First train 06:11 |
Last train 19:16 |
Train companies: Amtrak from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA trainsAmtrak trains will get you between Santa Barbara, CA and San Luis Obispo, CA from $23 (€18). 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 San Luis Obispo, CA
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 San Luis Obispo, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

popular train stations
Popular train stations from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, 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 - 10:00 PM Monday - Sunday
- Free
- Parking is available on-site with both short-term and long-term options.
- Novo Restaurant & Lounge
- Firestone Grill
- Outside the main entrance.
- $1
- Apple Farm Inn
- Hotel San Luis Obispo
- Granada Hotel & Bistro
- Located in the main hall
- Located in the main hall
- Free
- The station has a single platform with a waiting area and ticketing services.
- Bus: SLO Transit Route 1A, 1B, 3, 4, 5
- RTA Route 9
Most popular train connections from Santa Barbara, CA
More options for your journey from Santa Barbara, CA to San Luis Obispo, CA
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