- Recommended
Joseph Bellows Gallery
Photography-focused gallery nearby with rotating exhibitions and talks. Worth visiting for contemporary visual storytelling.
Cheapest price on Sep 20
$92
Average ticket price on Sep 20
$92
Fastest journey on Sep 20
5 h 29 m
Average journey duration on Sep 20
5 h 32 m
Trains on Sep 20
5
Distance
275 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, 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 Solana Beach, CA will cost around $92 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $92.
On Sun, Sep 20, we found 5 trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA, including 5 direct services.
On Sun, Sep 20 the direct trains cover the 275 km distance in an average of 5 h 32 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 29 m .
On Sun, Sep 20 the slowest trains will take 5 h 39 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.










Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the train, with an average ticket price of $58 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 6h 4m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a train costs an average of $58, while a flight costs an average of $615.
Distance: 170 miles (275 km)
Most popular Train | Flight | Bus | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$58 Average price Cheapest | $615 Average price | $94 Average price | $40 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 31m Average total duration 6h 1m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 4m Average total duration Fastest 4h 4m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 10m Average total duration 5h 40m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 3h 26m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular airline | ![]() Most popular bus company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA:
A train is $36 less than a bus for this route with tickets for a bus from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA costing on average $94.
A train is $557 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA costing on average $615.
Other travel options to Solana Beach, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 5h 40m.
Train takes on average 6h 1m.
Tickets start at around $58 compared to roughly $40 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-17.56. The journey takes 6h 1m versus 3h 26m 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.
The table below shows live departures for Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA trains for today, Saturday, September 19. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 7:26 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h56 | 1:22 AM Solana Beach, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 11:40 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h42 | 5:22 AM Solana Beach, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
| Sunday, September 20 | |||||
![]() | 6:53 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h29 | 12:22 PM Solana Beach, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 8:49 AM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h30 | 2:19 PM Solana Beach, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
![]() | 1:45 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 5h34 | 7:19 PM Solana Beach, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
Find all the dates and times for this journey
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.
Trains from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA run on average 12 times per day, taking around 6h 1m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $47 if you book in advance.
There are 10 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 04:40, the last at 18:57. The fastest train covers the 170 miles (275 km) distance in 5h 1m.
Distance 170 miles (275 km) |
Average train duration 6h 1m |
Cheapest ticket price $47 |
Trains per day 12 |
Direct trains 10 |
Fastest train 5h 1m |
First train 4:40 AM |
Last train 6:57 PM |
Cheapest Month Aug |
Cheapest Day Sun |
High Season Jan - Mar |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Tue |
Least Busy Day Tue |
Best time to book 70 days |
Discover the best of Solana Beach, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Solana Beach, CA trip today.
Photography-focused gallery nearby with rotating exhibitions and talks. Worth visiting for contemporary visual storytelling.
University art museum a short drive away with modern and contemporary exhibitions, sculpture, and strong architecture.
Contemporary art venue in Solana Beach’s design district presenting changing exhibitions by regional and international artists.
Scenic blufftop coastal park with walking paths, lawns, and broad ocean views. Ideal for sunsets, picnics, and easy strolls.
Distinctive shopping and design district known for architecture, art spaces, boutiques, and a pleasant pedestrian atmosphere.
Long sandy beach below coastal bluffs, popular for walking, sunbathing, and surf watching with a relaxed local feel.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, 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 Solana Beach, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Santa Barbara, CA to Solana Beach, CA trains use the Santa Barbara Station to Solana Beach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Barbara, CA and Solana Beach, CA train stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like 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 options include: The Lark, Santo Mezcal
Ticket office support is available at Santa Barbara Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Santa Barbara Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Santa Barbara Station: Bike Parking, Bike Rental.
Accessibility facilities are available at Santa Barbara Station: Ramps, restrooms.
Nearby hotels include Hotel Californian, Harbor View Inn, Hotel Milo Santa Barbara.
Goleta Station is 1 km from Santa Barbara city centre. Public transport options include:
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 options include: The Habit Burger Grill, Pepe's Mexican Restaurant
Ticket office support is available at Goleta Station. Information desks are located near the platform.
Available at Goleta Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Goleta Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Goleta Station: Ramps.
Nearby hotels include Hampton Inn Santa Barbara/Goleta, Courtyard by Marriott Santa Barbara Goleta.
Solana Beach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Lockers, Parking, Dining, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Hotel, Lost and Found Office, Ticket Office, Bike Parking, Information Desk, and Luggage Carts.
Food options include: Pizza Port Solana Beach, The Fish Market
Free.
Ticket office support is available at Solana Beach Station. Information desks are located in the main hall.
Luggage storage is available at Solana Beach Station. Lost and found is available at the station.
Available at Solana Beach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Available at Solana Beach Station: Bike Parking.
Accessibility facilities are available at Solana Beach Station: Elevators, ramps.
Nearby hotels include Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Del Mar/Solana Beach, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Solana Beach-Del Mar.
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