4.9
4.6
Travel Information
Compare train, bus, and flight for San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $51 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 49m. If you are seeking to minimise your carbon footprint, the train is your best option, with estimated CO2 emissions of 0.1 - 0.3kg. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $51, while a flight costs an average of $555.
Distance: 187 miles (302 km)
Compare train with
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$62 Average price | $51 Average price Cheapest | $555 Average price | $51 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
6h 16m Average total duration 5h 46m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 39m Average total duration 6h 9m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 49m Average total duration Fastest 3h 49m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 3h 46m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
0.1 - 0.3kg CO2 emissions Lowest | 0.3 - 0.8kg CO2 emissions | 0.9 - 1.8kg 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.
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $62.
A bus is $505 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $555.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 16m.
Bus takes on average 6h 39m.
Tickets start at around $62 compared to roughly $51 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-10.83. The journey takes 5h 46m versus 3h 46m 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 San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA
How to get from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA by train, bus or flight.
Our recommendation
The best way to travel from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA is by taking a flight because it’s the best combination of price and speed.
- UA2117 · UA58063:56 PM4h33San Diego International Airport8:29 PMSanta Barbara Airport$2311One-way1 transfer
Cheapest
- UA2117 · UA58063:56 PM4h33San Diego International Airport8:29 PMSanta Barbara Airport$2311One-way1 transfer
Fastest
- UA2309 · UA546411:19 AM4h00San Diego International Airport3:19 PMSanta Barbara Airport$3581One-way1 transfer
Other options
- UA1763 · UA6391:24 PM4h57San Diego International Airport6:21 PMSanta Barbara Airport$2311One-way1 transfer
- UA1835 · UA63912:40 PM5h41San Diego International Airport6:21 PMSanta Barbara Airport$2311One-way1 transfer
- UA2309 · UA63911:19 AM7h02San Diego International Airport6:21 PMSanta Barbara Airport$2311One-way1 transfer
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
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FAQs: Travel from San Diego, 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 San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA.
This is compared to other travel options from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA:
A bus is $11 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $62.
A bus is $505 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA costing on average $555.
Other travel options to Santa Barbara, CA take longer:
Train takes on average 6h 16m.
Bus takes on average 6h 39m.
- Around 30 flights per day.
- Around 17 trains per day.
- Around 2 buses per day.
However, we recommend checking specific travel dates for your route between San Diego, 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 San Diego International Airport and arrive in Santa Barbara Airport.
- Trains mostly depart from Santa Fe Depot, San Diego, CA and arrive in Santa Barbara Station, Santa Barbara, CA.
- Buses mostly depart from San Diego, Congress Street (Old Town Park), CA and arrive in Isla Vista, UC Santa Barbara (Bus Loop), CA.
- Travel with Greyhound, FlixBus to go to Santa Barbara, CA by bus.
- Travel with Amtrak to go to Santa Barbara, CA by train.
- Travel with United, Alaska Airlines to go to Santa Barbara, CA by flight.
- 0 direct buses per day with FlixBus.
- 14 direct trains per day with Amtrak.
- 1 direct flights per day with Alaska Airlines.
Travelling from San Diego, CA to Santa Barbara, CA: related information
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