- Must visit
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian, and contemporary works in a refined downtown setting with strong rotating exhibitions.
Cheapest price
€27
Average price
€27
Fastest journey
1 h 59 m
Average duration
1 h 59 m
Trains per day
1
Distance
90 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA will cost around €27 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only €27.
Of the 1 trains that leave Santa Maria, CA for Santa Barbara, CA on Sat, Aug 01, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sat, Aug 01 the direct trains cover the 90 km distance in an average of 1 h 59 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 1 h 59 m .
On Sat, Aug 01 the slowest trains will take 1 h 59 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 Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from €16. For those with little time consider booking a bus which can get you there in 1h 20m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €16, and a train costs an average of €27.
Distance: 55 miles (90 km)
Most popular Train | Bus |
|---|---|
€27 Average price | €22 Average price Cheapest |
2h 29m Average total duration 1h 59m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 1h 50m Average total duration Fastest 1h 20m Onboard + 30m Additional time* |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company |
Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is €5 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average €27.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 1h 59m.
The table below shows live departures for Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains for tomorrow, Saturday, August 1. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1:47 PM Santa Maria, CA | 1h59 | 3:46 PM Santa Barbara, CA | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare bus and train 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 Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA run on average 2 times per day, taking around 1h 59m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at €27 but you can travel from only €16 by bus.
There are 2 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 06:39, the last at 19:01. The fastest train covers the 55 miles (90 km) distance in 1h 59m.
Distance 55 miles (90 km) |
Average train duration 1h 59m |
Cheapest ticket price €27 |
Trains per day 2 |
Direct trains 2 |
Fastest train 1h 59m |
First train 6:39 AM |
Last train 7:01 PM |
Cheapest Month Feb |
Cheapest Day Mon |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Thu |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Santa Barbara, CA — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Santa Barbara, CA trip today.
Leading regional art museum with American, Asian, and contemporary works in a refined downtown setting with strong rotating exhibitions.
Natural history museum in Mission Canyon with exhibits on wildlife, geology, and Chumash heritage, plus a popular butterfly pavilion seasonally.
Waterfront maritime museum covering Channel history, shipwrecks, navigation, and regional seafaring culture in a polished harbor location.
Lively main street lined with Spanish-style architecture, shops, theaters, and landmarks, making it the heart of downtown walking routes.
Classic beachside promenade ideal for walking and biking, with palm-lined ocean views, parks, and access to the harbor and wharf.
Popular waterfront district with marina views, boat activity, museums, and easy walking access to coastal paths and sunset scenery.
Fresh sea urchin roe landed from the Santa Barbara Channel. Briny, sweet, and prized because the region is one of California's best-known uni sources.
Spot prawns from local waters, often grilled or served simply to highlight their sweetness. Seasonal and celebrated for their freshness on the Central Coast.
Local spiny lobster, usually prepared grilled or roasted. A prized seasonal catch tied to the Santa Barbara Channel fishing tradition.
Refined downtown restaurant serving elegant Central Coast cuisine with strong local seafood and wine in a polished setting.
Long-running fine dining restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients and local catch, with a classic upscale atmosphere.
Historic waterfront oyster bar known for very fresh local seafood, chowder, and a lively harbor setting.
Santa Barbara is pricier than many US beach cities, with higher hotel rates, dining, and parking; transit is affordable but limited for tourists.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants, 15-20% for taxis and rideshares, and $1-2 at cafes for counter service or drinks.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara, CA, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Santa Maria, CA to Santa Barbara, CA trains use the Guadalupe Amtrak Station to Santa Barbara Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Santa Maria, CA and Santa Barbara, 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.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need