Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of €69 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 4h 54m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.4kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of €69, while a flight costs an average of €329.
Distance: 274 miles (441 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
€116 Average price | €69 Average price Cheapest | €329 Average price | €54 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
9h 33m Average total duration 9h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 9h 2m Average total duration 8h 32m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 4h 54m Average total duration Fastest 2h 54m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 4h 58m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.4kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.4 - 1.1kg CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions | - CO2 emissions |
![]() Most popular train company | ![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
Additional time: Average total travel duration to departure point, security checks and transfers.
Compare ways to travel from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Compare the available ways to get from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA, with the key details around price, speed, convenience, and direct service.
This is compared to other travel options from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is €48 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average €116.
A bus is €260 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average €329.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 2m.
Train takes on average 9h 33m.
Tickets start at around €116 compared to roughly €54 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about -€62. The journey takes 9h 3m versus 4h 58m 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.
Travel optionsfrom Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
How to get from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by taking a bus because it’s the best combination of price and speed.

5:35 PM 9h12 Oakland, CA 2:47 AM Santa Barbara, CA €41 1 One-way 0 transfers
Cheapest

5:35 PM 9h12 Oakland, CA 2:47 AM Santa Barbara, CA €41 1 One-way 0 transfers
Fastest

5:45 PM 7h10 Oakland, CA 12:55 AM Santa Barbara, CA €93 1 One-way 0 transfers
Other options

4:35 PM 9h12 Oakland, CA 1:47 AM Santa Barbara, CA €42 1 One-way 0 transfers
9:46 PM 8h09 Oakland, CA 5:55 AM Santa Barbara, CA €78 1 One-way 0 transfers
Find all the dates and times for this journey by train, bus, flight, and ferry .
Compare prices and tickets Prices for trains, buses and flights
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.
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FAQs: Travel from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Travel to Santa Barbara, CA easily. Whether you want fast, cheap or something entirely different, our travel experts have collected everything you need to know so you can find the best option from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.

This is compared to other travel options from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is €48 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average €116.
A bus is €260 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average €329.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Bus takes on average 9h 2m.
Train takes on average 9h 33m.
- Around 7 flights per day.
- Around 1 trains per day.
- Around 1 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between Oakland, CA and Santa Barbara, CA as scheduled services by train, bus, and flight can vary by season or day of the week.
- Flights mostly depart from Oakland International Airport and arrive in Santa Barbara Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Oakland – Jack London Square station, Oakland, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from Oakland, West Oakland BART Station, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara, Bus station.
- Travel with FlixBus, Greyhound to go to Santa Barbara, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Santa Barbara, CA by train.
- Travel with Alaska Airlines to go to Santa Barbara, CA by flight.
- 1 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 1 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
Travelling from Oakland, CA to Santa Barbara, CA: related information
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